Bierma, Erika L.

Erika L. Bierma

Partner
Paula Mueller
608.283.6783

About

Attorney Erika Bierma is a partner at Axley practicing in the areas of criminal defense and civil litigation. Ms. Bierma also assists clients with restraining orders, injunctions, and school disciplinary and juvenile court proceedings.

Criminal Defense

Ms. Bierma represents individuals accused of both serious felonies and misdemeanors. She has experience in matters that span a wide variety of accusations including sexual assault of a child, child abuse, child pornography, sexual assault, drug offenses, burglary, property damage and drunk driving related charges such as OWIs and DUIs. She also defends cases that involve ordinance and traffic defense such as speeding, possession and paraphernalia.

Well-versed in all stages of the criminal process, from investigation to appeal, Ms. Bierma appears in court almost daily. Her significant trial experience makes her well-respected by judges, prosecutors, and courthouse staff. As a former Associate Federal Defender, Ms. Bierma also has experience representing clients accused of federal crimes such as white collar crimes, computer crimes, and tax crimes.

In addition, Ms. Bierma assists with questions related to the impact of criminal charges on immigration status.

Federal Criminal Defense

Ms. Bierma assists clients with individuals that are targets of federal investigations by negotiating charging decisions prior to a grand jury hearing the referral.  She also represents grand jury witnesses that have been involuntarily compelled to appear and potentially provide testimony.  She is able to negotiate immunity agreements, proffer agreements, scope of testimony, and availability for consultation during the grand jury process.  She also represents individuals who have been indicted for federal crimes ranging from bank/wire fraud, child pornography, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute drugs (i.e. marijuana, cocaine, opiates, synthetics, and methamphetamine) or possession with intent to distribute drugs. She also represents individuals subject to IRS/tax investigations.

University & School Disciplinary Proceedings and Juvenile Court

Ms. Bierma represents both youth and their parents in the juvenile court system and in school disciplinary proceedings including non-academic misconduct and expulsion matters at the high school and university level. Her expertise also extends to CHIPS and JIPS investigations.

In addition, she represents juveniles accused of ordinance violations, misdemeanors and felonies. She has represented juveniles cited for drug possession and paraphernalia, underage drinking, traffic violations and more serious crimes of sexual assault, possession or production of child pornography, operating a motor vehicle without owners consent, battery, and drug possession and distribution.

Restraining Orders & Injunctions

Ms. Bierma provides services relating to child abuse injunctions, domestic abuse injunctions and harassment injunctions. She also assists with health and human services investigations and adult protective services investigations. Ms. Bierma works quickly but discreetly due to the sensitive nature of these types of allegations. She also has extensive connections within the investigative agencies that allow her to begin navigating the complexities of this area of law prior to the commencement of court action.

Civil Litigation

In addition to her criminal defense practice, Ms. Bierma represents both individual and business clients in civil litigation matters. She has assisted business clients in recovering misappropriated funds, personal injury and insurance defense, and requests involving investigative agencies. She also assists with collections matters.

Outside the office, Ms. Bierma enjoys volunteering, spending time with friends and family, and is in constant pursuit of the best supper club.

Admitted to practice in the State of Wisconsin; United States District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin; United States District Court – Western District of Wisconsin; United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. US Supreme Court.

Education

J.D., Creighton University
B.A., University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

Involvement & Recognition

Involvement:

  • Member, State Bar of Wisconsin
    • Board Member, Criminal Law Section
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Dane County Bar Association
  • Member, Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member, Dane County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Managing Editor, a treatise for Lexis for Wisconsin Criminal Law/Procedure
  • Board Member, Wisconsin Equal Justice Foundation Board of Directors

Endorsements

I want to thank Erika Bierma for her legal expertise. During a very stressful time, her personable nature and ability to communicate helped to prepare me for my court date and the possible outcomes. Her professional skills in the courtroom were exceptional. I highly recommend. Thank you Erika! – B.R.

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Criminal Defense

Erika was hired by my family and I to help regarding a student conduct case at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was very helpful in the process and sat in as a support person during my meeting with the investigator. It ultimately led to a finding of not responsible. Erika did a great job in counseling me throughout this process.

- A. E.

The last several years were not easy for our family but we had complete faith that Erika was steering us toward the best possible outcome.  The results she obtained for our children across 3 serious episodes far exceeded what we had hoped would be possible. Erika returns phone calls same day.  When we need to talk with her she always makes time. She’s organized, always prepared and never late. She “gets” her clients and understands what families are going through. She is extraordinarily kind and compassionate in addition to being extremely competent. Erika Bierma has our highest recommendation. She’s a credit to Axley and the entire legal profession.  We speak highly of her and would strongly recommend her to anyone in need of her skill set.

- Anonymous

I hired Erika Bierma to help out with a pretty scary issue where I was being unjustly accused of something that I didn’t do. I was worried at first but Erika got me sorted out after just a couple of meetings. She has great communication skills and is a very good listener. Her ability to research about my case was phenomenal and her perseverance was second to none. Of course I wish this never happened and that I didn’t ever need a lawyer, but Erika made me feel a lot better while she worked. I’d hire her again.

- Anonymous