Chris
Penza

Prosecutor. Writer on law and incentives. Builder of CP Calc and GavelBook.

Recent Writing
Jul
26
2026
Law & Legal
Checking the Source: A Field Guide to Reading Alarming Public Claims

There's a difference between asking hard questions and creating an alarming impression the evidence doesn't support. Six techniques for reading public claims carefully.

Read Article →
Jul
26
2026
Faith & Society
Why I Love the Coulee Region

I fell in love with Black River Falls almost immediately, and I'm still not sure I can fully explain why. That's the thing about this place: it's hard to describe but easy to feel once you're in it.

Read Article →
Background

Rethinking how legal work gets valued

I spent years in private practice — complex estate planning, a lot of travel, billing by the hour. I learned a lot, including some things about how the legal industry prices and delivers its services that I never quite stopped thinking about.

I'm now a prosecutor in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. I live in Black River Falls with my family, coach youth sports, and sit on local boards. I built CP Calc and GavelBook because I think clients deserve to understand what they're paying for.

Tools
CP Calc

A fee calculator for attorneys — price legal work based on complexity, skill, and value, not just time.

Try CP Calc →
GavelBook

A legal reference tool built for prosecutors and defense attorneys working through the Wisconsin statutes.

Try GavelBook →