(facebook.com)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha-area criminal defense attorney who has previously been the subject of multiple Kenosha County Eye investigations involving missed court appearances, client complaints, and disciplinary action is facing renewed questions after telling a client she was stuck in traffic and on her way to a deposition, only to never arrive. Court records show that attorney Mackenzie S. Renner appeared in a separate felony proceeding in Walworth County that same afternoon, raising questions about what she told her client and whether she ever intended to attend the deposition.
The deposition was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in connection with a Kenosha County civil lawsuit involving a woman who was also facing criminal charges. Renner represented the woman in her criminal matters, while a separate attorney handled her civil defense. The woman arrived approximately 15 minutes late for the deposition, and Renner was nowhere to be found. At approximately 1:20 p.m., the woman indicated that she had just received a text message from Renner saying she was on her way. “She wouldn’t have texted me she’s on her way if she’s not coming,” the woman said.
Approximately five minutes later, the woman received another message from Renner, which she relayed as saying, “I’m still stuck in traffic so just start without me and I’ll be there shortly.” Despite that assurance, Renner never arrived, and the deposition proceeded with the woman’s civil attorney present but without her criminal defense attorney.
A review of Wisconsin Circuit Court Access records revealed that Renner was also scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon in a serious felony matter before Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Daniel S. Johnson. The court’s official minutes confirm that Renner appeared in that proceeding, which had originally been scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing but instead involved a status conference and additional time for negotiations.
Although the court records do not establish Renner’s precise location when she sent the messages to her client, they confirm that she attended a court proceeding in another county on the same afternoon she was telling her Kenosha County client she was stuck in traffic and would arrive shortly. The circumstances raise questions about whether Renner had conflicting professional obligations, whether she communicated those conflicts to her client, and why she repeatedly indicated that she was on her way to a deposition she ultimately missed.
Renner’s Associate – Caroline Rose Dorman-Cunningham-Brown (Left)
(Photo – Meta)
Previous KCE Investigations Document Missed Hearings And Client Complaints
This is not the first time Renner’s punctuality, communication, and professional conduct have come under scrutiny. On October 4, 2026, Kenosha County Eye published an investigation detailing how Renner missed two court hearings in a single day while another client’s family complained that they had been unable to reach her for weeks.
That reporting examined court proceedings in which Renner failed to appear for an 8:30 a.m. hearing and court personnel were reportedly unable to reach her. Renner subsequently indicated in another courtroom that she was ill, while information from one of her clients raised additional questions about her whereabouts and professional commitments that day.
KCE also interviewed the mother of a 19-year-old incarcerated client who said she had been trying unsuccessfully to communicate with Renner for weeks. Other individuals contacted KCE with similar concerns about difficulty reaching the attorney, prompting further examination of her professional conduct and the consequences for people depending on her representation.
The October 4 investigation followed earlier KCE reporting concerning Renner’s departure from the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office and her professional association with attorney Ted Kmiec. Those investigations examined Renner’s disciplinary history, questions surrounding her employment arrangements, and allegations concerning the quality of her legal representation.
In another matter, a former client accused Renner in court filings of failing to investigate potentially exculpatory evidence and other alleged deficiencies in her representation. Separately, attorney Joseph Bugni challenged aspects of Renner’s representation in the high-profile Mark Jensen murder case as part of an effort to obtain a new trial. Those claims were allegations raised in litigation, not findings that Renner had committed professional misconduct.
State Public Defender Records Reveal Suspension And Internal Investigations
Kenosha County Eye previously obtained disciplinary and investigative records concerning Renner through a public records request to the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. The agency disclosed that Renner had been the subject of two internal investigations involving alleged offensive comments related to individuals’ protected status, although substantial portions of the investigative materials were withheld to protect confidential client information and the identities of other individuals.
One disciplinary matter resulted in a one-day unpaid suspension on February 14, 2023. According to the disciplinary letter, Renner made an inappropriate remark involving the words “bitch and slave” while discussing a case with another attorney, and agency officials determined that she violated workplace rules prohibiting harassing, demeaning, or abusive conduct and false, inaccurate, or malicious statements.
During the disciplinary process, Renner acknowledged making an inappropriate joke but disputed the precise wording attributed to her. She maintained that she had not intended anything malicious and had been attempting to lighten a difficult situation, but the agency nevertheless determined that discipline was warranted.
A separate investigation concluded in July 2024 without additional disciplinary action. The agency’s released records contained redactions that prevented KCE from independently establishing whether the earlier offensive remarks involved a racial slur directed toward a Black individual.
KCE specifically asked Renner whether she had made such a remark, what circumstances led to the disciplinary matter, and whether she wished to clarify the agency’s findings. Renner did not respond to those questions.
Prospective Juror Describes Renner As ‘Theatrical’ And ‘Phony’
Renner’s courtroom conduct also drew criticism from a prospective juror who participated in approximately two hours of jury selection during a recent Kenosha County felony trial. The prospective juror contacted KCE and described an unusual series of questions Renner directed toward the jury pool, including whether prospective jurors read Kenosha County Eye and whether negative reporting about Renner had influenced their opinions of her.
The prospective juror said Renner also asked whether her nose piercing negatively affected jurors’ perceptions of her. The individual questioned why a defense attorney would voluntarily introduce negative news coverage about herself during jury selection, potentially encouraging people who were previously unfamiliar with the reporting to look into it.
The prospective juror described Renner as “very theatrical & obviously phony” and expressed skepticism about her courtroom demeanor and authenticity. The individual also raised concerns about the judge and attorneys repeatedly using prospective jurors’ actual names in open court, despite juror numbers having been assigned, while the defendant was present.
Renner’s client was ultimately found guilty of two serious felonies following a three-day jury trial. The prospective juror’s observations concerned Renner’s demeanor during jury selection and represented that individual’s personal impressions rather than any judicial determination concerning Renner’s professional conduct.
Following the trial, the convicted client contacted Kenosha County Eye and complained about Renner’s communication and availability throughout the case. The client said the only opportunities she generally had to speak with Renner were approximately 10 minutes before scheduled court appearances, provided Renner arrived on time.
On occasions when Renner arrived late, which the client said happened multiple times, their conversations were limited to just a few minutes after court concluded. The client expressed frustration over what she described as a lack of meaningful communication with the attorney responsible for defending her against serious felony charges.
Continued Scrutiny Driven By Complaints And Public Records
Kenosha County Eye wants to make clear that its reporting is not intended to single out or unfairly target Renner. KCE is an investigative news organization that routinely follows tips, examines public records, interviews sources, and attempts to independently verify allegations before publishing its findings.
Renner has become the subject of continued scrutiny because KCE has received numerous unfavorable accounts from clients, their families, and others familiar with her professional conduct. The volume of complaints, together with documented missed appearances and disciplinary findings, has prompted additional investigation into whether the attorney is meeting her professional obligations to the people she represents.
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, KCE sent Renner a detailed media inquiry seeking her response to the October 20 deposition, her appearance in Walworth County that same afternoon, complaints concerning her communication with clients, the prospective juror’s observations, and questions arising from her State Public Defender disciplinary records. Renner was offered an opportunity to explain the circumstances, dispute any inaccurate information, and provide her perspective.
Renner did not respond to the inquiry before publication. KCE remains willing to publish any substantive response she provides.
3 Responses
Interesting Kenosha exposed don’t post about this. Just solis
Yup. Funny how that works.
Dumb skank