Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
PRO
also known as Dera L. Johnsen
Virtual Consultation Available
Free Consultation
Attorney Dera L. Johnsen-Tracy is a shareholder and co-founder of Horn & Johnsen SC. Dera is a 2008 graduate of Marquette University Law School and focuses her legal practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and guardianship. Prior to completing law school, Dera gained 14 years of legal experience as a paralegal in Texas and Wisconsin. Dera’s extensive experience provided a strong and practical client-centered foundation for her legal practice. She strives to meet the needs of her clients in a personal and efficient manner.
Dera is licensed to practice in Wisconsin. She is an active member of WealthCounsel, a national consortium of estate planning professionals. She is also licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for both the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin. In furtherance of her passion for helping families plan, she is an active participant in the Wisconsin Wills for Heroes program and the Basic Estate Planning Clinic for Seniors and Veterans for which she was awarded the 2015 Individual Attorney Pro Bono Award by the Dane County Bar Association and for which she was also awarded the 2016 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Dera was selected by Super Lawyers to the 2016 and 2017 Wisconsin Rising Stars list, which is an exclusive list recognizing no more than 2.5% of attorneys in Wisconsin. In addition, she was selected in 2016 as a member of the Fellows of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, a professional honor also limited to 2.5% of attorneys in Wisconsin.
Dera has been invited as a special guest on a number of radio shows and has been invited to speak as a featured presenter at various conferences throughout Wisconsin and nationally, including the 2015 and 2017 Investor Conferences for the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII) in Las Vegas and Orlando, Women Inspiring Change luncheon sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, Future Lifestyles Expo in Madison, All Things Senior Expo in Baraboo, Money Smart Women Conference, Asset Builders Madison Money Conference, estate planning classes through the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Wisconsin State Convention and “Ready, Set, Retirement!” sponsored by Madison Area Technical College Paralegal Program in cooperation with WPS, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR), Dane County Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin. Further, Dera has made numerous presentations, both public and private, about estate planning and living trusts including special issues applicable to realtors, small business owners, farmers, pet owners, young families, LGBTQ families and families with special needs children. She is a frequent contributor to Your Family Magazine and she has taught a variety of CE classes to financial professionals and CLE seminars to attorneys through PINNACLE and the National Business Institute (NBI).
5
Practice Areas
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
State: Wisconsin
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Fax
Estate Planning Center of Wisconsin, 8446 Excelsior Drive, Suite 102, Madison, WI, 53717
hornjohnsen.com
Other places you can find Dera online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 135 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Kevin | May 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Dera was excellent to work with and made putting our family trust together stress free and simple. From what I’ve heard from others who have gone through the same process, her fees were very good as well. She covered things that we never thought of, and we feel very good about how things will be ha...
Posted by anonymous | February 4, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Dear and her office associates were kind and very patient with me! Very helpful and answered all my questions and concerns!
Posted by Manuel | December 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Dera did a magnificent job with a very difficult subject! She took her time explaining everything to me and my daughter Jenny before asking me to sign anything. I strongly recommend her practice!
Posted by Jennifer | June 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Dera was referred by an acquaintance and I'm so glad we got the referral! Both Dera and her paralegal, Sarah, were wonderful. We were made to feel comfortable and at ease as all of our questions, no matter how small, and now feel very confident that our wishes, both financial and medical, will be e...
Posted by Heatlook.comher | June 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Dera did an excellent job in creating my living trust. She thoroughly explained all the sections and how certain decisions would affect my me and my family.
"Dera is a leader in the Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts legal community, and the first person I turn to when I have a question on these topics. Her service to her clients is exemplary."
"I endorse Dera L. Johnsen-Tracy. I presented a seminar on estate planning with Dera and found her working- and professional-knowledge to be superb. She thinks creatively and seeks solutions "outside the box" when needful. I have no reservations in recommending her."
"I presented with Dera at a seminar. She was very knowledgeable on her topics and had clearly done a lot of work researching and preparing. If she gives the same level of care and attention to her clients that she did on a volunteer basis to this seminar, I would feel lucky to be a client of hers."
"I met Dera through one of the many estate planning courses that she teaches on a volunteer basis. She was and is so knowledgeable and experienced with estate planning law, that no possible scenario is outside of her abilities. I have personally witnessed her approach to swiftly and efficiently handle estate planning cases. She is excellent, and I endorse her."
"I taught an estate planning and probate class with Dera. She was very knowledgeable and personable. I would certainly recommend her services."
"I endorse this lawyer. Dera is very knowledgeable and practical. A fantastic estate planning attorney."
"Dera Johnsen-Tracy is an extremely competent and well-regarded estate planning attorney. She is regularly called upon to present continuing legal education programs to other attorneys and also engages in a significant amount of pro bono work."
"I endorse this lawyer. John and Dera are my estate planning attorneys. I was very impressed with my estate plan that was drafted by their firm and the thoughtful questions that they asked when I was thinking about how I wanted to arrange my estate plan. I am very impressed with Dera and how she wants woman to properly plan to ensure they have sufficient money to take care of themselves."
"I have known Dera on a professional level for many years. She is an intelligent and highly capable attorney and I have no hesitation in recommending her to any client with estate planning needs."
"I recommend Dera in the highest possible terms. We’ve worked together extensively on legal matters over many years. First, she’s super-smart. Second she’s got uncommon wisdom, good judgment and significant life experience to back that up. Third, I’ve seen firsthand Dera’s excellence in the law and empathy for the client. Although serious and meticulous in her work, she’s delightful and funny, with an extremely loyal following of clientele. Most of her work centers on estate planning (wills & Trusts), guardianship and probate. In this work, she pays special attention to the particular needs of her clients and their families. I would send my parents to see her. I think Dera is one of those rare attorneys who truly lives-up to the ideals of our profession."
"Dera is a conscientious, energetic and personable attorney. She presents estate planning issues clearly and provides solutions for her clients based on her extensive knowledge of the law. I recommend Dera Johnsen-Tracy without hesitation."
"Dera is a knowledgeable and thoughtful attorney who carefully considers her clients' specific needs. She has a wealth of experience in the estate planning and probate fields, and the skills necessary to effectively advise her clients. I would heartily endorse her to any client with estate-related needs."
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Trusts lawyer
Business lawyer
Business lawyer
Business lawyer
Guardianship lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Business lawyer
Family lawyer
Ethics and professional responsibility lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2016
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, State Bar of Wisconsin
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Individual Attorney Pro Bono Award, Dane County Bar Association
2006
CALI Excellence for the Future Award: Probate Procedure, Marquette University Law School
2006
Dean's List, Marquette University Law School
2002
Summa Cum Laude, Concordia University Wisconsin
1997
Phi Theta Kappa, San Antonio College
2013 - Present
Attorney, Shareholder and Co-Founder, Horn & Johnsen SC
2009 - 2013
Associate Attorney, Krueger & Hernandez SC
2009 - 2014
Adjunct Professor, Globe University
2000 - 2009
Paralegal, Krueger & Hernandez SC
1998 - 2000
Paralegal, Wilson Law Group, LLC
1994 - 1998
Paralegal, Law Office of Charles A. Stephens, II
2016 - Present
Fellows of the Wisconsin Law FoundationFellow
2013 - Present
WealthCounselMember
2012 - Present
Legal Association for WomenMember
2010 - Present
Wills for HeroesEstate Planning Specialist
2009 - Present
Dane County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
State Bar of WisconsinMember
2009 - 2013
American Academy of Estate Planning AttorneysMember
1998 - 2008
Madison Area Paralegal AssociationMember / NALA Liaison
2008
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
Bachelor of Arts
1997
Associate in Applied Science
2018
2017
Equine Estate Planning
2017
How to Make Sure You Don’t Leave a Mess for Your Loved Ones to Clean Up When You’re Gone
2017
2017
2017
The State of Your Estate
2017
2016
2016
Estate Planning
2016
2016
2016
2016
2016
2015
Pet Trusts
2015
2015
Marital Property Agreements
2015
Pet Trusts
2015
2015
Estate Planning
2015
2015
Estate Planning
2015
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
2013
Estate Planning
2013
Estate Planning
2013
2013
Estate Planning
2013
2012
2011
Estate Planning
2011
2011
American Legal System
2011
2010
2010
Estate Planning
2010
Estate Planning and Taxation
2009
2009
2018
2017
2017
2016
2016
2015
2014
2014
2014
2012
2012
2012
2011
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
How can I add my sister to the current medical power of attorney paperwork, so she can be the primary, or secondary POA?
20 May 2016
Can a quitclaim deed be done with a home that is under joint tenancy, One of the owners has died.Does it have to probate?
11 Feb 2015
I have blind clients who need to sign their will.
24 Nov 2014
5 Reasons You Need a Will if You Have Minor Children
05 Jan 2015
Top ten mistakes made with beneficiary designations
05 Aug 2014
Essential Estate Planning Documents in Wisconsin
30 Apr 2013