John Gross
Clinical Associate Professor; Director, Public Defender Project
Biography
John P. Gross is a Clinical Associate Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and Director of the Public Defender Project. Professor Gross teaches courses in criminal law, criminal defense and trial practice.
Professor Gross began his legal career as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society in New York City. After eight years as a public defender, he joined the faculty of Syracuse University College of Law as a Practitioner in Residence and subsequently became Director of their Criminal Defense Clinic. Professor Gross left Syracuse to become Indigent Defense Counsel for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers where he worked on indigent defense reform and authored a series of reports documenting the failings of indigent defense delivery systems. Professor Gross then joined the faculty at the University of Alabama School of Law where he directed their criminal defense clinic for several years before joining the Defender Association of Philadelphia as their Director of Policy and Practice prior to joining the faculty at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Professor Gross’s academic research focuses on the structure of indigent defense systems, criminal defense, and police policies and practices regarding the use of force.
Scholarship & Publications
Law Repository
Activities
John Gross published a blog post entitled, "Why Our Public Defense Systems Are Collapsing," for The National Association for Public Defense on June 6, 2023. Read the post.
John Gross published "The Right to Hybrid Representation in Criminal Court" in the Ohio State Law Journal Online, which focuses on Darrell Brooks' complaint that he was denied standby counsel for assistance when he chose to defend himself.
To mark the 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court's landmark decision on the right to counsel, John Gross published "Reframing the Indigent Defense Crisis" in the Harvard Law Review Blog. Read the article.
News & Media
Friday, Dec 8, 2023John Gross: If law school can't solve the shortage of public defenders, what can?
Public Defenseless PodcastTuesday, Oct 10, 2023John Gross Breaks Down Factors Into Armed Suspect Coming to Capitol Twice
NBC 15Thursday, Sep 28, 2023John Gross on Why Halderson's Attorney Files No Merit Report: 'The evidence was so substantial'
WKOWWednesday, Sep 6, 2023Fatal police shooting of pregnant Ohio woman raises concerns. John Gross comments.
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteFriday, Aug 25, 2023John Gross on Georgia Case: 'It Would Be Extremely Odd' If Trump Didn't Surrender
WKOW-27Wednesday, Jul 19, 2023A Wisconsin Sex Trafficking Case Could Have Nationwide Impact; John Gross Comments
WUWM 89.7 FMTuesday, Jul 18, 2023‘QAnon Shaman’ Says He’s Going to Court to Reverse Jan. 6 Guilty Plea; John Gross Comments
The MessengerWednesday, Jul 12, 2023John Gross Explains Special Statute Cited in Tony Robinson Shooting Case
The Capital TimesMonday, Jun 26, 2023John Gross Discusses Probable Cause in Light of Wisconsin Ruling
Wisconsin Public RadioMonday, Jun 12, 2023John Gross Op-ed: It's Not Too Late To Achieve Equal Access To Justice
The Cap TimesWednesday, May 31, 2023Wisconsin’s Public Defender Shortage: John Gross Explains
NBC 15Monday, May 22, 2023John Gross: ‘Preservation Of Life’ Is Hard To Hear Over 94 Gunshots
Cleveland.comThursday, Apr 20, 2023John Gross Comments on Charges in Chandler Halderson Case
NBC 15Friday, Nov 12, 2021Updated: UW Law experts provide context on criminal law during Kyle Rittenhouse trial
Monday, Oct 5, 2020John Gross joins UW Law's clinical faculty to direct Public Defender Project
Recently Taught Courses
- Clinical Program/ Field Placement: Defense Project (854)
- Clinical Program/ Field Placement: Public Defender Project (AJJ session) (854)
- Defense Function (940)
- Ethical Issues in Crim Justice (Defender Project) (940)
- Intro to Substantive Criminal Law (726)
- Trial Advocacy (Defender Project) (2nd half of term: FJI Session) (852)
