Jerry Buting

Jerry Buting
Name	Jerry Buting
Birth date	1954
Birth place	United States
Occupation	Criminal defense attorney, legal analyst, educator
Years active	1970s–present
Known for	Defense in the Steven Avery trial, legal commentary

Jerry Buting is an American criminal defense attorney and legal analyst best known for his role as co-counsel in the high-profile murder trial of Steven Avery. He has appeared in televised documentary series, provided commentary for major networks and newspapers, and taught trial advocacy at university law programs. Buting's career spans state and federal courts, with involvement in cases that raised issues involving forensic science, prosecutorial conduct, and media coverage.

Early life and education

Born in the United States in 1954, Buting grew up during the postwar era that shaped modern American legal institutions and civic life. He completed undergraduate studies before obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. During his education he participated in moot court competitions, clinical programs affiliated with state courts and nonprofit legal clinics connected to public defense efforts. He gained early exposure to criminal law through internships with state prosecution offices and defense organizations, and studied trial technique alongside peers and faculty from institutions such as Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, Columbia Law School, and other national law programs.

Legal career

Buting began practicing as a trial lawyer in the late 1970s and developed a career focused on criminal defense in state and federal venues. He has been admitted to practice before state supreme courts and federal trial courts, maintaining memberships in bar associations such as the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin and local county bar organizations. Over several decades he handled felony jury trials, appeals to intermediate appellate courts and petitions to courts including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and state appellate divisions. Buting collaborated with colleagues from public defender offices, legal aid societies, and private law firms, litigating matters involving homicide, sexual assault, and major property offenses brought by county district attorneys and state attorneys general.

High-profile cases

Buting achieved national prominence as lead or co-counsel in cases that attracted media and public attention. His most noted representation was in the homicide prosecution of Steven Avery in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, a trial extensively covered by local outlets and later documented on streaming platforms. He has also litigated cases in other jurisdictions that engaged issues of forensic evidence before panels of judges in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and similar venues. His caseload included trials confronting forensic experts from state crime laboratories, cross-examinations of law enforcement officers from county sheriff's departments, and challenges to evidentiary rulings under state evidentiary codes and the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Legal analysis and media appearances

Following high-profile trials, Buting transitioned into roles as a legal commentator for broadcast networks and print media, providing analysis for programs on Netflix, cable news channels, and national newspapers. He appeared on panels alongside legal analysts from outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and public broadcasting entities, offering perspectives on jury selection, prosecutorial strategy, and forensic reliability. Buting authored op-eds and gave interviews in publications associated with major presses and papers like the New York Times, the Washington Post, and regional dailies, and participated in symposia at institutions such as American University, Georgetown University Law Center, University of Chicago Law School, and other law schools focusing on trial advocacy and criminal justice reform.

Teaching and publications

Buting served as an adjunct instructor and guest lecturer at multiple law schools, teaching trial advocacy courses, mock trial coaching, and seminars on cross-examination and expert testimony. He contributed chapters and articles to legal texts and journals addressing defense strategy, jury psychology, and the use of scientific evidence, engaging editors and authors associated with academic presses and professional associations like the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and specialty periodicals in criminal law. His instructional activities included workshops in collaboration with trial advocacy programs at universities such as Marquette University Law School, University of Wisconsin Law School, and summer institutes hosted by national bar organizations.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career Buting received recognition from bar associations and legal organizations for trial advocacy and public service, earning honors presented at conferences of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and ceremonies held by county bar foundations. He was invited to speak at events sponsored by entities such as the National Institute of Justice, the American Civil Liberties Union, and criminal defense coalitions, and was cited in legal commentaries compiled by national journals and law reviews. His work in high-profile defense litigation contributed to discourse on prosecutorial ethics and forensic standards debated in professional forums and legislative hearings.

Category:American lawyers Category:Criminal defense lawyers Category:1954 births Category:Living people