Oren founded Community Law S.C. in June 2020. He is a graduate of Lawrence University and UW–Madison Law School. Oren specializes in criminal defense while maintaining competence in general practice areas focused on the needs of individuals, small businesses, and farms. Outside of the firm he is a farmer, cidermaker, and builder.
Anneke (she/her) attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison for her undergraduate studies and then spent five years living in Colorado, where she served an AmeriCorps term and worked for the judicial branch in both criminal and civil capacities. She returned to Madison for law school, where she interned for the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, participated in the Consumer Law Clinic, spent a summer at a labor and employment firm, and served on the editorial board of the Wisconsin Law Review. She graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She spends her free time playing ultimate frisbee, volleyball, camping, looking for snow, and admiring native wildflowers with her husband.
Emma (she/her) is a graduate of Hamline University and the University of Wisconsin Law School. In law school, she interned with the Criminal Appeals Project, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the Marathon County District Attorney's Office. Her practice areas are criminal defense, criminal appeals, and civil litigation. Outside of the firm she enjoys reading, dancing, painting, and spending time with her dog and cat.
Lauren (she/her) joined Community Law in June 2024. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. While in law school, she interned with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Legal Assistance to Incarcerated People, which sparked her interest in criminal appeals. Her practice areas include criminal law, criminal appeals, small claims, environmental law, and farm law. Lauren strives to provide excellent criminal defense and believes that everyone deserves access to legal services. She also enjoys finding creative answers to issues in environmental law. To further this goal, Lauren is active in environmental groups, including the Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. In her free time, Lauren can be found riding horses, hiking, or enjoying a good book and a coffee in the company of her cats, Jabba and Hazelnut.
Rachel graduated from Santa Clara University in 2020 with degrees in International Studies and Spanish. She worked as a paralegal in a small civil firm and in non-profit immigration before attending UW Madison Law School. She graduated cum laude from UW Madison Law School in 2025. In her free time, Rachel enjoys baking, running, lifting and generally being active and outdoors.
Vera (she/they) earned her JD cum laude and MA in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies from UW–Madison in 2025.
Their practice focuses on criminal defense, and research interests include the development of the global rights of nature movement.
Vera is a member of the National Lawyers Guild and passionate about grassroots organizing for collective liberation and queer family building.
Outside the firm they enjoy gardening, biking, working with fiber, and being ruled by caring for two cats.
Jewel (she/her) is a student attorney currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she is expected to graduate in May 2026. She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and a Master's degree in Criminology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Jewel is currently enrolled in the Public Defender Project and is passionate about pursuing a career in criminal defense. Outside of her legal studies, she enjoys Olympic weightlifting, hiking, and baking.
Cait (they/them) is a full-time paralegal managing the caseloads of Attorneys Emma Hahn and Lauren Felder. They joined Community Law S.C. in May 2024 through a UW internship program and opted to continue their work with us after. Cait graduated from UW–Madison in December 2024 with a B.S. in Psychology and certificates in LGBTQ+ Studies and Criminal Justice. They are passionate about helping people, especially those who have faced systemic violence and marginalization, and plan to pursue a Master's program in Counseling within the next few years. Outside of work, you can find Cait spending time with their cats, crafting, or browsing thrift stores with an iced coffee in hand.
Lexi (she/her) is a paralegal responsible for all cases assigned to Attorneys Anneke Vermaak, Vera Leone, and Rachel Milioto, as well as a handful of cases from other attorneys within the firm. Her responsibilities include everything from general case processing and review to legal research and motion drafting. Lexi graduated with distinction from UW–Madison in May 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Legal Studies, Sociology, and Gender & Women's Studies, along with a certificate in Criminal Justice. Lexi joined Community Law S.C. in September 2024 and has continued working at the firm post-graduation until she takes on law school. She is dedicated to providing exemplary legal services to historically underrepresented communities, anyone facing systematized violence or marginalization, and those with limited resources, especially those in Wisconsin. When she's not at work, which isn't often, Lexi can be found relaxing in bed at home, at a library on campus, or on State Street taking a walk.
Marzuka Akber (she/her) serves as paralegal, providing support to Attorney Oren Jakobson and Student Attorney Jewel Holsten. She commenced her tenure at Community Law S.C. in August 2025. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lawrence University with a degree in International Relations and Affairs, having pursued a Pre-law track. During her time at Lawrence, she engaged in various research projects, notably including her recently published honors thesis on climate displacement. Ms. Akber intends to pursue further legal education.
Liam (he/him) is a law clerk responsible for managing the caseload of Attorney Oren Jakobson. Liam joined Community Law S.C. in September 2024. He is a fourth-year student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison pursuing a B.A. in Legal Studies and Philosophy, along with a certificate in Criminal Justice. He plans on continuing into a career in law. Liam is passionate about creating larger change for marginalized communities both here in Madison and back in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York. He can be found playing basketball in James Madison Park or walking with his shiba inu named Lily.
Jess (they/them) has been in several roles throughout their time with Community Law S.C. since May 2021. They graduated from UW Madison in May 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and Gender & Women's Studies, as well as a certificate in LGBTQ+ Studies. Jess is passionate about criminal defense and they enjoy working through the challenges presented in each case. They are currently attending law school at the University of Wisconsin with an anticipated graduation in May 2028. In their free time, they are a musician, an artist, and a proud pet parent.
Anton supports the firm's technology operations, helping keep systems secure, reliable, and ready for battle.
Polly is a graduate of Lawrence University and a current law student at UW–Madison Law School. Her legal interests include mediation, legislative drafting, and policy advocacy. She has served as an alderperson in the City of Appleton and the City of Stevens Point and has over 10 years of experience starting and operating cooperative businesses and community projects. She has completed the 30-hour Mediator training and volunteers with Judicare Mediation doing eviction and small claims mediation. Polly brings her civic and community service to the Community Law mediation team. Rollerblading, tennis, yoga, ultimate frisbee, lake swimming, dancing, and playground tag are some of her favorite ways to move for joy!