-

Vol 23 No 4 HIGHLIGHTS 8 Judicial dashboard REGULAR FEATURES: Fall 2 Judicial appointments 9 Human trafficking 6 Retirements 3 Justice on Wheels 13 Grant County courthouse 7 Awards 2015 4 Legislative update 17 Clerks visit Capitol 10 Wisconsin Connects 5 Treatment court training 18 Pro Bono work recognized 21 News and Notes 7 Trauma-informed courts

Judges gather to learn, share ideas at conference ore than 300 Wisconsin judges participated in a wide range of educational opportunities at the 51st annual meeting of the WisconsinM Judicial Conference held Nov. 11-13 in Middleton. Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack opened the conference with her first “State of the Judiciary” address since being elected as chief justice by her colleagues on the Supreme Court. Roggensack acknowledged the significant contributions of justices and judges at all levels of the court, including municipal judges, and a publication of the Wisconsin Judiciary reserve judges who serve in the Court of Appeals and in the circuit courts. Former Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson received a standing ovation when Roggensack recognized her for her work as chief justice. Roggensack told the group, which also included court staff and administrators, that she has learned much since becoming chief justice, and she is very optimistic about the future of the Wisconsin court Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack delivers the 2015 State of the Judiciary Address on the first day of the Judicial see Conference on page 12 Conference in Middleton. Judicial family fondly remembers Justice Crooks ongtime Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks died of natural causes Sept. 21, inL his chambers at the state Capitol. Crooks’ life was celebrated days later during a visitation service at Newcomer Funeral Home and a funeral service at St. Matthew Catholic Parish in Green Bay. Crooks was 77. Crooks was first elected to the Supreme Court in 1996, and re-elected in 2006. A week before his death, he had announced he would not seek another term when his term was set to expire July 31, 2016. Prior to his election to the high court, Crooks served 19 years as a circuit court judge in Brown County. He was first appointed to the Brown County bench on Aug. 3, 1977 by then-Gov. Martin Schreiber. He won election to the county bench three times, and was named the American Photo credit: WLUK Board of Trial Advocates’ Trial Judge of the year in 1994. While working in private practice from Justice N. Patrick Crooks was buried with full military honors afer a funeral 1966 to 1977, he also taught business law at UW- service Sept. 26 at St. Matthew Catholic Parish. see Obituaries on page 14 Justice Rebecca G. Bradley appointed ustice Rebecca G. Bradley has been appointed to for the Supreme Court seat held by Crooks. fill the Wisconsin Supreme Court seat left vacant Three other candidates have declared they also byJ the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks. will run for the seat, which would trigger a primary The Third Branch Gov. Scott Walker announced the appointment election in February 2016 to narrow the field to during a press conference in the Governor’s two candidates for the spring election in April. Conference Room at the state Capitol on Oct. 9. Other announced candidates include District IV Bradley, who was a judge on the Court of Court of Appeals Judge Joanne F. Kloppenburg, Appeals at the time of appointment to the Supreme Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Joseph M. Court, was sworn into office by Chief Justice Donald, and Madison Atty. Claude Covelli. Patience Drake Roggensack in the Supreme Court In appointing Bradley, Walker said he was Hearing Room Oct. 12. impressed by her experience as a private sector Bradley had previously declared her candidacy Justice Rebecca G. see Bradley on page 16 Bradley

www.wicourts.gov 2

Fall 2015 New judges join Court of Appeals, circuit courts n addition to appointing a new Milwaukee County Circuit Court in private practice, and as a law clerk Supreme Court justice, Gov. Scott Judge Paul R. Van Grunsven said of under Gableman. THE THIRD BRANCH WalkerI appointed two new Court of his colleague. “Judge Brash would be Hagedorn and his wife, Christina, Appeals judges and three new circuit a tremendous addition to the appellate have five children. court judges, all of whom took office bench and fully deserves this since Aug. 1. appointment.” Circuit courts Brash and his wife, Ruth, live in Fox Michelle Ackerman Havas was Court of Appeals Point. appointed to the Milwaukee County On Oct. 28 Walker appointed On July 31, Walker announced the Circuit Court bench, Branch 45, to fill Milwaukee County Circuit Court selection of now-Judge Brian K. the seat vacated when Judge Rebecca Judge William W. Brash, III to fill the Hagedorn to serve on the District II G. Bradley was previously appointed vacancy on the District I Court of Court of Appeals in Waukesha. Prior to the District II Court of Appeals. Appeals bench created by Justice to the appointment, Hagedorn served Havas is a graduate of Concordia Rebecca G. as chief University and UW Law School. She Bradley’s legal previously served as a Milwaukee transition to counsel to County assistant district attorney, the Supreme the worked in private practice, as a Court. governor. District II Brash served Hagedorn, Court of as a who took Appeals Milwaukee office Oct. judicial County Circuit 5, fills the intern, as a Court judge vacancy probation since he was created by and parole appointed in the agent for 2001. He won retirement the state election to the Judge William W. Judge Brian K. of Judge Department Branch 21 Brash III Hagedorn Richard S. of bench the Brown. Corrections, following year, and was re-elected in “Brian would be the kind of judge and as a 2008 and 2014. Prior to his that would follow the Rule of Law and legal Judge Michelle appointment to the circuit court, he dispense justice fairly and impartially,” secretary Ackerman Havas served as a municipal judge for Supreme Court Justice Annette for the Milwaukee and worked in private Kingsland Ziegler wrote the governor. Milwaukee County District Attorney’s practice. A swearing-in ceremony was held in Office. In 2014, she was presented A graduate of St. Norbert College the Supreme Court Hearing Room at with the Women in Law Award from and Marquette University Law School, the state Capitol on Nov. 6. Ziegler the Wisconsin Law Journal. Brash has served on the Planning and and Justice Michael J. Gableman “She has a deep respect for the rule Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC), spoke during the ceremony, as did of law, and an understanding that the Legislative Committee, Municipal Walker. Chief Justice Patience Drake role of a judge is to administer the law Judges Association, Pro Bono Roggensack served as master of as given by the legislature and not to Association, and as a coach for the ceremonies. legislate from the bench,” Milwaukee mock trial tournament. Hagedorn received his law degree County Circuit Court Judge John J. “He is a dedicated jurist who strives from Northwestern University Law DiMotto wrote to the governor. to be fair, impartial, and thoughtful in School. He also previously served as Havas and her husband live in all of the cases that come before him,” an assistant attorney general, worked see New judges on page 13 Zuidmulder to head Committee of Chief Judges he Committee of Chief Judges selected practice. He also previously served as Brown County district Chief Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder, Brown attorney, and as an assistant state attorney general. TCounty Circuit Court, to chair the Committee The Committee of Chief Judges consists of one chief of Chief Judges effective Aug. 1. judge from each of the state’s 10 judicial administrative Zuidmulder replaced outgoing chair Judge districts. The chair, informally known as “the chief of the Jeffrey A. Kremers, Milwaukee County Circuit chiefs,” presides over approximately seven committee Court, who served the maximum three two- meetings per year. year terms as a chief judge. Zuidmulder has been a member of the Criminal Jury Zuidmulder has been a judge since 1997 and Instruction Committee of the Judicial Conference, and the has served as chief judge of the Eighth Judicial Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee. He established Administrative District since 2010. The Eighth Brown County’s drug treatment court, mental health District encompasses Brown, Door, Kewaunee, treatment court and heroin treatment court, as well as Chief Judge Donald R. Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie and Waupaca encouraged the establishment of the Northeast Wisconsin Zuidmulder counties. Before joining the bench, Veterans Treatment Court, which serves all counties in the Zuidmulder served 22 years in private Eighth District. n 3

Tradition and new media meet as Fall 2015

Justice on Wheels rolls into Lancaster THE THIRD BRANCH The Court’s visit also landed atop the front page of the next day’s Telegraph- Herald print edition, and the following week’s Grant County Herald Independent, which led with this: “There was something a little bit different at the Grant County Courthouse last Thursday. You saw it at the front door, being greeted by deputies from the Grant County Sheriff’s Department Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack (center) greets visitors at the Grant checking visitors. County Courthouse prior to hearing arguments as part of the Justice on Wheels program. Upstairs, the third floor courtroom was he Grant County Courthouse is among Wisconsin’s most packed to capacity with a mix of Thistorically significant courthouses. Built from 1902 to visitors, from area college and high 1905, it pre-dates the current state Capitol and is listed on school students, to prosecutors from the National Register of Historic Places. But when the Pakistan.” Supreme Court rolled into town for a Justice on Wheels visit Sept. 17, the building became the center of a modern media see Wheels on page 12 buzz. For the first time, arguments held as part of the Justice on Wheels outreach program were streamed live on YouTube, thanks to WisconsinEye; news of the event hit the Dubuque Telegraph Herald’s Twitter account before justices even took their seats; and photographs of the Court at work appeared almost instantaneously on the newspaper’s website. Photos also appeared on Yahoo News via the Associated Press. Green County judges host legislator ride-along our southwestern Wisconsin legislators recently visited the Green County Justice Center in Monroe as part of the Judicial Ride-Along program. FRep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) visited Green County Circuit Court Judge James R. Beer in Branch 1 and Green County Circuit Court Judge Thomas J. Vale in Branch 2 during a day-long visit to the circuit court on Aug.17. Novak observed the workings of the court and discussed the needs of the court system with the courthouse staff. At the end of the visit, he was invited to return for a future visit. On Aug. 19, freshman Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) observed proceedings in Branch 1 of the Green County Circuit Court. Ringhand, who previously served in the Wisconsin Assembly, represents most of the eastern portion of Green County. Ringhand observed the court in action and viewed a demonstration of videoconferencing equipment used for some court appearances. Courthouse staff discussed with her the needs of the courts in the state. Freshman Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), who formerly had represented the western portion of Green County in the Assembly, visited the Justice Center as part of the program. Marklein, a member of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance, had also participated in the Ride-Along program while he served in the state Assembly. Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Green County Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) visited the Green County Circuit Court on Sept. Circuit Court Judge James R. Beer sit at the bench during 28 to learn about the needs of the courts and to gain a better understanding of how Ringhand’s visit to the Green County Courthouse on Aug. 19. the court system functions in the state. n 4

Fall 2015 Legislative Council proposals advance By Nancy M. Rottier, Legislative Liaison

THE THIRD BRANCH roposals developed by Wisconsin Legislative Council future payments for an immediate lump sum payment. study committees that would affect the court system are The bill is based on and modifies the Model State atP various stages in the legislative process. Following is Structured Settlement Protection Act, a model law that was information on several proposals. developed in 2000 by the National Structured Settlements Trade Association and the National Association of Transfer of Structured Settlement Payments Settlement Purchasers. The report prepared by the Joint Legislative Council’s Racine County Circuit Court Judge Gerald P. Ptacek and Study Committee on the Transfer of Structured Rock County Circuit Court Judge Michael R. Settlement payments was introduced as Fitzpatrick served on the study committee. Assembly Bill 129 and has been signed into law as 2015 Act 94. It passed the Adoption Disruption and Dissolution Assembly on May 13, 2015 and was Four proposals developed by the concurred in by the Senate on Study Committee on Adoption October 20, 2015. The bill Disruption and Dissolution passed received overwhelming bipartisan the Assembly by voice vote on support as it worked its way September 24, 2015. The four through the Legislature. have been referred to the Senate The bill creates a new Committee on Health and Human subchapter in Chapter 895 of the Services. Here is a brief statutes, to govern the transfer of description of the bills: structured settlement payments in Assembly Bill 39 makes two Wisconsin. It includes definitions of changes to adoption proceedings. It key terms, mandatory disclosures by a extends jurisdiction and venue to allow a prospective buyer, standards governing the proceeding for adoption or an adoptive court’s review of a transfer and procedures for placement to be heard in the county where a parties and the court to follow. Wisconsin is one of termination of parental rights case was heard. It also the only states that does not currently have detailed court provides for use of a standardized qualitative assessment procedures when structured settlement payments are system for the adoption home study; the system must be transferred. approved by the Department of Children and Families. Most often used in personal injury cases, structured Assembly Bill 40 revises certain aspects of the pre- settlements allow a defendant to make payments to the adoptive training that is required under current law for first- plaintiff over an agreed time frame, instead of under a lump time adoptive parents. Among the new requirements are sum. In a transfer of structured settlement payments, a longer hours, in-person training, training on trauma and prospective buyer offers to purchase some or all of the see Legislative on page 10

Legal publication requirements change By Nancy M. Rottier, Legislative Liaison t the request of the court system, the Legislature can be in the thousands of dollars, and the savings to eliminated the requirement that the Supreme Court taxpayers could be significant. The current publication publishA the full text of proposed rules changes in the official requirement is neither cost effective nor particularly state newspaper. Instead, the Court will continue to publish efficient at providing the public with notice, Rich told the the hearing notice and the petition, which is usually a brief legislative committees who heard the bills. summary of the proposed rule change, along with the Rich also explained the court seeks to ensure broad public internet website address where people can review the full notice by sending a letter to interested persons or text. The Court will also continue to provide public notice organizations for every rule matter. The letter states when and a summary of rule changes in a State Bar of Wisconsin the hearing will be held, and invites written comment and publication. public testimony. The letter is currently sent to nearly 50 The Legislature quickly moved to pass Assembly Bill 443, different organizations and individuals and prompts most of a bipartisan proposal, with virtually no opposition. The bill the comments the court receives on rule matters. was signed into law as 2015 Act 69. AB 443 was sponsored by Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (R- During the public hearings on AB 443 (and its companion, Plymouth) and Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee). The Senate Bill 346), Supreme Court Commissioner Julie Rich, Senate companion was sponsored by Sen. Van Wanggaard who assists the court with rules matters, explained the court (R-Racine) and Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee). During procedures when adopting rules. Rules can cover matters the process, concerns were raised by the Wisconsin such as bar admissions, rules of professional conduct for Newspaper Association, and the bill was amended to require lawyers, record retention, and rules of procedure. that a summary of the proposed rules changes be published If a proposed rule change is lengthy, the publication costs with directions on where to view the full text of the rules. n By Tommy Gubbin, Office of Court Operations Court Tommyof By Office Gubbin, measures performance standards, on focuses training Treatmentcourt district court administrators, and staff from the Office of Office the from staff and administrators, court district judges, included group The agencies. state and counties, courts, circuit various from people 34 with collaborated Justice of Wisconsinthe Department and Office, Courts State of Director the Professionals, TreatmentCourt Wisconsinthe scenarios, of and Association curriculum training the developing Justice In of Assistance. Bureau 2016. in provided be will assistance technical and training Follow-up planning. action final with training the ended and sessions breakout multiple through worked state. the across programs to cost no at available be will and way consistent a in programs diversion and courts treatment from data level participant- collect help to designed is System Reporting CORE The future. near the in counties to available be will which System, Reporting (CORE) Evaluation and Research Outcome, Justice’sComprehensive of new Department professionals. court treatment with meetings scheduled regularly and testing drug random include often but court, of type the on depending vary Requirements graduate. to longer or year a for requirements of series a meet and program treatment rigorous a complete, and to, agree must program Wisconsin.in courts treatment for standards these achieve to steps specific identifies and points practice of set a encompasses standard Each Justice. of Department U.S. the by published Tenthe Components Key is standards these of core The system. justice criminal the to approaches practice best evidence-based of implementation concerns. other or health mental alcohol, drugs, to relating issues of variety a address which courts, treatment functioning behavior.fully criminal 58 Wisconsin has some to contribute may that issues underlying addressing by safety public improving and by recidivism reducing jurisdictions. their in courts treatment effective operating for plans specific refine or develop to learned they’ve what use will sessions training the in Participants system. justice criminal the of performance improve effectively courts treatment that ensure help which of all Measures, Courts’StatePerformance for (NCSC) Center National the on Wisconsinand StandardsTreatment Court Trego.and WisconsinRacine, Rapids Crosse, Madison, La Appleton, Sept. from held were Sessions workers. in 23 Oct. to 9 social and staff, treatment enforcement, law coordinators, court treatment staff, corrections of department attorneys, fall. this state the across locations six at held sessions during measures performance and standards M The training was made possible by a grant from the U.S. the from grant a by possible made was training The courts treatment the of each representing teams Local state the of overview an included also training The court treatment a in participation for approved Defendants continuing the support standards and training The at aimed approach cross-discipline a are Treatmentcourts 17 the on information in-depth provided training The district defenders, public judges, included Participants treatment courts received training in treatment court treatment in training received courts treatment Wisconsin’srunning in involved people 500 than ore seminar to a much higher level...” higher much a to seminar the took It beneficial. very was weredeveloped plans action breakoutswhereactual team by standards,followed the expressed, training area the from Appleton attendee an positive. As overwhelmingly Corrections. of Department state the of Hoy Jared and Justice of Department state the of Schier.Kristin Coordinator TreatmentCounty Court Grant and Pohlman-McQuillen, Elizabeth Coordinator Court TreatmentCounty Rock Robinson, Bethany Coordinator TreatmentCounty Court Outagamie Klekamp, Jane Coordinator TreatmentCounty Court Isenberger,Crosse La Patrick Coordinator TreatmentCounty Court Claire Eau Carlson, Carol Coordinator TreatmentMilwaukee Court Behl, WalworthKatie Coordinator TreatmentCounty Court WoodRyanMcMillen, Coordinator Treatment County Court W.Kathryn Judge WaukeshaCourt Foster,Circuit County W.John Judge Court Markson, Circuit County Dane Metropulos, J. Mitchell Judge Court Circuit County Outagamie Levine, M. Elliott Judge Court Circuit County Crosse La Brostrom, Ellen Judge Court Circuit County Milwaukee Stark, K. Lisa Judge Appeals of Court III District of: consisted teams Wisconsin.Strategiesin Justice Effective Report: Courts the produced also that NCSC and Courts State of Director the between partnership the of continuation a is Report Measures Performance The actions. corrective take to warranted, if and, practices effective identify to them enabling staff, and managers program to court drug the of performance the of aspects key year. this later website system Wisconsinthe court on available be will which Report, Measures Performance Court Hybrid and Wisconsinthe Drug Statewideproduced also NCSC project, this of part resources. As provide and training the structure Subcommittee. Strategies Policy Committee’sAdvisory (PPAC) Justice Effective and Planning the from members included and created also was group advisory Operations. Atraining Court CORE Feedback from attendees at the training sessions was sessions training the at attendees from Feedback Kostelac Constance by provided was training Additional Training about information timely provide measures Performance help to group advisory the with closely worked NCSC The October to address standards and performance measures. performance and standards address to October and September during state the throughout held trainings six Trego,of in one session a Treatmentattend stakeholders court 2012 National Center for Statefor Center National 2012 “I thought the process of addressingprocessof the thought “I n

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 5 6

Fall RETIREMENTS 2015 Judge Terence Bourke Bourke has served two terms on the Branch 4 bench, after

THE THIRD BRANCH first being elected in 2003. He is a former president of the Sheboygan County Circuit Court Wisconsin Family Court Commissioners Association, and Sheboygan County Circuit Court Judge Terence Bourke has served on the Sheboygan County Judicial Advisory said dealing with so many cases over the span of a career Committee and as a coach of the State Bar’s Mock Trial can leave a judge with little time to reflect on one particular Tournament. Prior to taking the bench, he was a court case. He does admit there are a few commissioner and assistant district attorney for Sheboygan particular moments that stand out from County. his days in the courtroom. After retiring at the end of his current term in July, Bourke One of these moments involved a said he will miss the relationships he had established in the young couple who were getting married courthouse and his friendship with his fellow judges. In his in his courtroom. He remembers that the retirement, he said he plans to travel. bride and groom did not sit together, and when he asked who the bride was, a young woman raised her hand. The Judge John V. Finn young woman’s mother then told her to Portage County Circuit Court take her gum out of her mouth, so the After 27 years on the bench, Portage County Circuit Court young woman handed her gum to a Judge John V. Finn retired July 31 with a sense of pride that friend sitting next to her, who then Judge Terence Bourke the people in his county have had respect for the three popped the gum in her own mouth. branches of the Portage County Circuit Court, thanks to the Bourke said during his 12-year career joint effort of all three judges. He said he will miss in Branch 4, he has found the civil cases more enjoyable interacting with the other two judges, as well as all of the than the criminal or family cases, because those cases often court staff, and the attorneys who appear in his court. afforded him the opportunity to learn something new. He Two cases standout for Finn, who likes to retell the said when he first took the bench, he presided over a case stories. The first case involves an eviction action where a that involved problems with a roof, and he ended up landlord claimed a tenant learning a lot about roof drainage. violated the “no dogs or cats” But no matter the type of cases, he said he hopes people rule of the lease. The landlord have benefitted from the decisions he has made. claimed the woman had a dog “People come into your courtroom in need of someone to because he had heard barking step in and say, ‘this is the way things are going to be,’ and coming from her residence. you have to weigh the plusses and minuses.” When the woman had her Bourke said the job requires a lot of hard work and long chance to tell her side, she asked hours, and a lot goes into making a decision. He admits that the judge if he had ever heard of it can be difficult to get things done on a timely basis. But, an African Grey Parrot. When he said being a good judge takes time and effort. He advises Finn replied he hadn’t, she told new judges coming into the circuit courts to be patient: him her parrot could imitate a “You will be a better judge the second year than you were the first year. And an even better judge the third year.” see Retirements on page 23 Judge John V. Finn Staff changes include departures, new roles n Aug. 7, Director of State Courts of Administration, and the Legislative other interests after 23 years in J. Denis Moran named Brian Audit Bureau. Brian is a CPA and Management Services. O Lamprech holds a degree in accounting from Prior to becoming deputy director in deputy director UW-La Crosse. 2002, Radloff served 10 years as fiscal for Management In his role as Fiscal Officer, officer. During that time, she helped Services. Lamprech exercised general automate the court system’s accounting Lamprech has responsibility for the fiscal and financial reporting been with the functions of the courts, systems, structured circuit court system Director’s Office, the State court and guardian ad since 2003 and Law Library and several litem payments and previously related departments. He oversaw many other served as fiscal also has served as the projects. officer. court system’s fiscal Former Dodge County Prior to liaison with the counties. Circuit Court Judge joining the court Lamprech replaces Andrew P. Bissonnette Brian Lamprech system, former deputy director for decided to give retirement Lamprech worked for 15 years in the management services, another try after returning financial area elsewhere in state Pam Radloff. Radloff left to the court system to government, including the Department the court system during of Natural Resources, the Department the summer to pursue Pam Radloff see Staff on page 20 Abrahamson S. Shirley Justice recognized Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley S. Shirley Justice Court Wisconsinrecognized Supreme honored Bradley Abrahamson, service to NAWJ.to service ongoing and longstanding exceptional, for appreciation grateful with and of recognition in given and Courts the Womenin for Men Equality and Promote to Program Education Judicial National the of director founding the Service in Award,Excellence for named Sotomayor.Sonia and Ginsburg, By Justin Wolff, Children’s Court Improvement Program Improvement Court Children’s Wolff, Justin By trauma on children, families involvedcourt families in children, on trauma of effects of awareness raises Conference a life of abuse, neglect, drug-dependency and crime. Cain crime. and drug-dependency neglect, abuse, of life a to contributed attitude” “business-as-usual a and perceptions how illustrated survivor,who and advocate consumer Tonierof a experiences Cain, the about account hand said. Triggianosystem,” our in working it’snot usual; simply as business do Wescience. to this continue can’tabout know to needs system justice the but judges, for fit natural a not is “Trauma-informedcare courts: the within issues these addressing of importance the and challenges the of breadth trauma. of effects cumulative the to responses system welfare child and court improving to dedicated experts by presentations of variety a included conference The Services. Family and Children of Division County Kenosha the of director Rodgers, Ron and Children’sCounty Court, Milwaukee the of judge presiding impacts. these address to solutions pragmatic toward working begin to and Wisconsinof families and children the on trauma of impacts lasting the of awareness raise to was WildernessResort, the at held conference, the of goal Wisconsin.”The Toward“Moving Courts: Trauma-Informeda the and M The National Association of WomenNational of The (NAWJ)Association Judges Bradley received the Norma WiklerNorma the received Bradley AWARDS Triggiano’s remarks were followed by a harrowing first- harrowing a by Triggiano’sfollowed were remarks the Triggianoremarks, addressed opening her During Triggiano,Mary Judge by co-hosted was conference The Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 for the Conference on Child WelfareChild on Conference the for 2 Oct. to 30 Sept. from Wisconsinin Dells gathered people 500 than ore Ruth Bader Ruth O’Connor,Day Justices Sandra Justices Court Supreme U.S. include award the of recipients Past organization’s the founders. of one Klein, Justice by exemplified NAWJthe to as and office her to distinction brings who judge a honor NAWJto annually gives Klein Dempsey Award,the which Joan the received Abrahamson City,Lake Utah. Salt 7-11 in Oct. held conference annual its at Bradley Justice Walshand Ann Abrahamson Bradley Walsh Justice Ann development coordinator for more than 20 years, working years, 20 than more for coordinator development collection the as Society.served Historical StateFritzsch Wisconsinthe to records transferring and retention records of areas the in court circuit of clerks and them to assistance of years many her of recognition in plaque a with presented Virginiaarchivist was government Fritzsch local Madison, recognized probate in Register justice. to access equal and courts, the in equality and fairness leadership, judicial diverse committed, strong, through law of rule the under individuals of rights the protecting Gonzalez, emphasized the need for trauma-informed for need the emphasized Gonzalez, Ramona Judge Court Circuit County Crosse La and Judges Court Family and Juvenile of Council National the of Marsh Shawn as such factors. environmental upon dependent inhibited or built be can resiliency how and person, every affects it how society,in trauma of prevalence the to spoke Perry trauma. of implications lifelong the and questions these of importance the discussed you?” to happened “what to you?” “what’swith from wrong changed perspective the when began recovery to road her said At the September Register in Probate (RIP) Conference in Conference (RIP) Probate in Register September the At of role judicial NAWJ’sthe The promote to is mission Other presenters, Other TraumaChild The at Perry,fellow Academy,Bruce senior well over the span of her career.”her of span the over well in her calling and she has served in that calling very calling that in served has she and calling her in Virginia gifted serve. is to created was government the whom for people the of enjoyment and benefit the for government of workings the preserve and acquire help to takes it what do to able and willing is she that again and officials,Virginiatime governmental proven has other and court circuit of clerks probate, in registers to pertains it term. As long the in accessibility records and management records for resource invaluable an people, other many to and probate, in Wisconsinthe registers “Virginiato become has state. the across all counties in courts with The plaque reads: plaque The and the Courts. the and Welfare Child on Conference the attended who those among SaintAwere of Grove Timsurvivor, and disorder stress Triggiano,post-traumatic Mary a Fox, Alisha Judge Court Circuit County Milwaukee Office, Defender’s StatePublic the of Atty.Rondini-Harness Diane n see CCIP on page 19 page on

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 7 8

Fall 2015 Judicial Dashboard showcased at national

THE THIRD BRANCH court technology conference By Jean Bousquet, Chief Information Officer Three Wisconsin judges took center stage with a The judges demonstrated dashboard tools that judges have presentation on judicial tools at the recent Court Technology used for many years, and highlighted newer dashboard Conference (CTC) hosted by the National Center for State features, such as electronic document routing and eBench, Courts in Minneapolis Sept. 22-24. CTC is the largest which judges use to work through cases in court. They national conference that is specifically aimed at courts and relied on a number of technologies throughout the court technology. presentation to keep the audience’s attention. The judges One of the featured tracks, “Tools for the 21st Century incorporated live demonstrations from their dashboards, Judge,” included presentations focused solely on using remote access technology to connect to their work technologies and applications for judges. Wisconsin is a computers. The judges augmented their PowerPoint slides recognized leader in this arena and Judges James C. Babler, with live demonstrations for a greater impact. Barron County Circuit Court; Richard J. Sankovitz, “The live presentations show just how easy accessing Milwaukee County Circuit Court; and John R. Storck, information is and also provides the anticipation of waiting Dodge County Circuit Court, presented on technology tools for a crash at a NASCAR race,” Sankovitz said. The used by Wisconsin judges. Their presentation, “Why settle session sparked a lot of interest and questions and many for a Model T when you can have a Tesla - Driving attendees were interested in how they could get a version of Wisconsin’s judicial tools to use in their own courts. Courts throughout the nation are showing interest in judicial applications and tools. As more courts shift to electronic files and documents, the need to provide judges with application and tools to easily navigate these systems is critical. In December 2014, the Joint Technology Committee, established by the Conference of State Court Administrators, the National Association for Court Management and the National Center for State Courts released the resource bulletin, “Making the Case for Judicial Tools.” This paper introduces the concept of judicial case flow management to help shape future technology discussions and identifies considerations Judge James C. Babler, Barron County Circuit Court, presents on the Judicial and recommendations for creating judicial Dashboard at the National Center for State Courts Court Technology Conference held tools. A second paper scheduled to be during September in Minneapolis. released later this year covers how to deliver the tools including important Wisconsin’s Judicial Dashboard” took attendees on a test considerations for technology, training, implementation, and drive of the Wisconsin Judicial Dashboard, where they long-term costs and support. These papers were authored by showcased the many important tools and applications that a cross-sectional team of court administrators, technologists are essential to working effectively in a paper-on-demand and vendors from across the nation. They draw upon the environment. experiences of courts that have offered judgicial tools, The Judicial Dashboard and a new component called including the many advances made by the Wisconsin courts. ‘eBench’ consolidate the most important tools used by n judges. This includes quick access to case information, electronic documents, legal research materials, a tool to Editor’s note: Chief Information Officer Jean Bousquet also create jury instructions and numerous supporting presented at CTC on “The Impact of Judicial Tools on applications. They also give judges tools to manage their Information Technology.” She also helped organize the calendars, track cases, and gauge progress toward case- sessions on judicial tools and contributed to “Making the processing goals. Case for Judicial Tools.” Counties celebrate jurors in September in jurors celebrate Counties informed, victim centered, and meet the needs of victims for victims of needs the meet and centered, victim informed, trauma are that those are programs quality The discussed. were Louisiana Orleans, New and Texas,Ohio, Columbus, Houston, in programs diversion Innovative punishment. and prosecution than rather victims, to services and support offering by respond system justice the that requires so Doing period.” – choice of profession a not is “prostitution that proposition the accept Weto challenged criminals. were than rather victims as prostitution in engage who women of think to us challenged presenters The prostitution. rapidly.growing and trade, drug the after U.S. the in enterprise criminal largest second the is trafficking Human “new the Abolitionists.” it against fight the in engaged those and slavery” “new the called was trafficking human conference, the U.S. At the and trafficking. sex of victims becoming of risk at are or victims are who system, welfare child the in those especially children, to services provide and identify to things, other among states, requires law The 2014. of Families TraffickingStrengtheningSex Act and Preventing the implementing of process the in Wisconsin,including are state. the throughout agencies enforcement law to provided is training consistent that ensure to and problem, the combat to efforts local coordinate to judges encourage trafficking, human on judges Program. Children’sImprovement the Court of Zaccard Michelle and Ward-Cassady,Sara operations; court director,for deputy Court; Circuit County Milwaukee of both Stark, M. Carolina and Dwyer J. Michael Judges of consisted Wisconsinteam The courts. state of directors and general attorneys alone. U.S. the in year each billion $9 in take to estimated is which trafficking, sex on focused conference the of Most trafficking. labor or trafficking sex involve may which trafficking, human of problem growing rapidly the to courts. state the in justice of quality the improve to is function whose agency federal a Institute, Justice State the New Yorkby sponsored was City.summit The in 7-9 Oct. on Courts State Traffickingthe Human and on W By Judge Michael J. Dwyer, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Circuit County Dwyer,Milwaukee J. Michael Judge By summit trafficking human attends team Court A major focus of the summit was the issue of adult of issue the was summit the of Afocus major Wisconsinin problem significant a is trafficking Human states, all because timely particularly was summit The educate to are Wisconsinthe team by developed goals The justices, Court Supreme included teams state Many response statewide a planning with tasked was team Each territories in sending a team to the National Summit National the to team a sending in territories U.S. four and states other 45 joined isconsin it can be found at found be can it combat to how and trafficking about information Additional their victims are children. are victims their when especially inappropriate, is situation This accountable. held not often are who males class upper-middle to middle- and educated, middle-aged, white, be to tend sex of However,buyers providers. female the against been traditionally has trade sex the in Enforcement emphasized. Milwaukee. and Racine, Green, Crosse, La Winnebago,Outagamie, Brown, counties: following the in arrested traffickers and Victimsrescued were summit. the after week the operation anti-trafficking an of results the announced officials enforcement law problem, the of nature statewide the emphasize to if trade. As sex the into forced and places distant to transported recruited, are counties rural in home from away run who girls many addition, In well. as families rural in occurs trafficking that certain is it children, their traffic frequently members family that Given clubs. strip and stops truck around occur to known Traffickingwell is ones. urban as well as areas rural in occurs trafficking prostitution.) with children charging prohibit to Legislature the in pending currently is (2015 267/SB200 AB inappropriate. is trafficking of victims child criminalizing that clear is it prostitute, child a as thing such no is there Since system. welfare child our of responsibility the already are trafficking of victims child the of many that realization sobering a is It runaways. are or system, welfare child the in involved abused, sexually been have who children poor are risk highest at Those children. are trafficked are who people the of number large a that fact tragic a is It 13. is world trafficking the into entry of age average treatment. drug and safety,health mental shelter,and The need to reduce the demand for prostitution was also was prostitution for demand the reduce to need The Wethat reminded were the that was heard we statistic disturbing most The for their service. service. their for jurors the thanking posters and colors fall in decorated was courtroom 2 Branch The 8. Sept. on participants 90 than more for activities appreciation juror and County Shawano activities. and events the of some of listing partial D Shawano County held its combined jury orientation jury combined its held County Shawano celebrated Juror Appreciation Month. Here’sJuror Month. a celebrated Appreciation state the throughout September,counties uring www.htcourts.org

n

Courts in New York City.New in Courts

Summit on Human Trafficking and StateTrafficking and Human on Summit

Judge Carolina M. Stark attended the National the Starkattended M. Carolina Judge

J. Dwyer and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Circuit County Milwaukee and Dwyer J.

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michael Judge Court Circuit County Milwaukee

Court Operations Sara Ward-Cassidy, Sara Operations Court

Improvement Program, Deputy Director for Director Deputy Program, Improvement Michelle Zaccard of the Childrens Court Childrens the of Zaccard Michelle . see Jurors on page 11page on

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 9 10

Fall WISCONSIN CONNECTS 2015 Justice Abrahamson, instructor visit Thailand THE THIRD BRANCH ustice Shirley S. Abrahamson and Chris Smithka,J a clinical instructor at the UW Law School, visited Thailand in August to present several seminars for judges. The pair spoke with judges in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, lecturing on judicial administration and case management (Abrahamson) and the role of the court in business cases (Smithka) in each city. They also met with the Secretary- General of the Office of the Judiciary and the President of the Supreme Court. Free time was reserved for visits to temples and an elephant camp. The visit was sponsored by the Rabi Bhadanasak Research Institute, a division of the Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson and UW Law School instructor Chris Smithka (front row, fourth Thai Office of the Judiciary. n from left), pose with judicial officers and staff in Phuket, Thailand.

Legislative continued from page 4 abuse, and referral to post-adoption resource centers. Both Judges also helped teach at recent training sessions on Assembly Bill 41 requires a child who is a citizen of treatment court standards that were held throughout the another country, who has been adopted in that country by a state. parent who is a Wisconsin resident, to be readopted in The committee also heard a presentation about the Wisconsin. Milwaukee County Family Drug Treatment Court Program Assembly Bill 42 requires certain petitions and from Sara Scullen, Children’s Court Staff Attorney, and agreements in child welfare or juvenile justice matters to Rebecca Foley, the coordinator of the treatment court include information on whether the child has previously program. Both spoke in favor of AB 51 that would establish been adopted. The Department of Children and Families a grant program for counties to set up family or juvenile (DCF) is required to compile information on children treatment courts. In addition to their presentation, Scullen entering the child welfare system who have previously been and Foley answered committee members’ questions for adopted and prepare a report for the Legislature. about half an hour. Milwaukee County was the first county with a family treatment court, so members had numerous Problem-Solving Courts, Alternatives and Diversions questions about what it would take to establish a similar The Assembly Committee on Corrections held a three- court in other counties, how it works, and what results the hour public hearing on two of the Problem-Solving Courts, court has seen. Alternatives and Diversions study committee’s AB 51 creates a grant program that would be available to recommendations, Assembly Bills 51 and 52 on September family treatment courts. The grant program would be 10, 2015. Two circuit court judges and other court staff administered by DCF and make grants available to counties spoke in support of the proposals. No one testified in to create programs that screen, assess, and provide new opposition, although the committee received written dispositional alternatives for parents whose children have comments expressing some concerns with the legislation. come under the jurisdiction of the children’s court or for Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Kathryn W. Foster juveniles who have problems related to mental illness or and La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Elliott M. Levine substance abuse. spoke in favor of both proposals. The judges provided AB 52 codifies the current statewide Criminal Justice insight for the committee on the workings of treatment Coordinating Council into the statutes, amends the current courts, the principles behind them and the benefits to the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) program and criminal justice system. The judges currently preside over makes other changes supportive of problem-solving courts. OWI treatment courts in their respective counties. Judge A third proposal from this study committee, Assembly Bill Levine was a member of the study committee that developed 50, has been referred to the Assembly Committee on the legislation, and both judges also are past presidents of Transportation. No action has been taken on the bill at this the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals. see Legislative on page 20 Jurors the lobby of the courthouse recognizing September as Juror as September recognizing courthouse the of lobby the in hung banner a with greeted also were courthouse County Waukeshathe at visitors other and duty.jurors Potential jury for appreciation of token a as flashlight small a or clip WaukeshaCounty decisions.” legal public’sof the acceptance foster they 3) and process; court the in reflected are sentiments and values community which by means a provide they 2) trials; civil and criminal at testimony and evidence by presented as case a in facts the decide they 1) purposes: important several serve juror…Juries sworn and prospective every of contribution the to attention call system’sto legal chance the is this read. letter the service,” jury to called are they when employees their support and encourage who those all and districts school businesses, small agencies, government companies, private many the thank to Welike Court. also the would by jurors. Yourappreciated future greatly and are contributions present past, to appreciation and gratitude sincere our extend to opportunity this take to like would staff court and Court Bloom. H. F.Michael Patrick and Judges O’Melia Court Circuit and herself of behalf on release press a issued County Oneida event. the at served were treats before jurors potential with session answer question-and- a Krueger.hosted Sue She Court Circuit of Clerk said past, years in served have who those for refresher a as served and system court the with unfamiliar those to which he first joined in 1982. in joined first he which commission, the of member life a elected was Prosser Commisstion. Law Uniform T.the David addresses Justice Prosser Court Supreme Justice Prosser elected life member of ULC of member life elected Prosser Justice In Waukesha County, jurors received either a magnetic WaukeshaIn a either County,received jurors concluded. letter the service,” your for you “Thank date, another on September,or in serves juror a “Whether Circuit of Clerk Judges, Circuit County Oneida “The Behrle Brenda Court Circuit County,of Oneida Clerk In beneficial very be to proven has orientation quarterly The continuedfrom page 9 Evan Wynn, office supervisor in the clerk’sthe office.Wynn,in Evan supervisor office wrote work,” not would system judicial our employers, and members family supportive and jurors as serve system. justice the support help to 2014 in jurors 4,000 than more summoned county The jurors. prospective and current past, for appreciation showing newspapers, local to column guest a submitted WalworthCounty trials.” jury during jurors the of needs the of care taking with along stress alleviating of job wonderful absolutely an do Fitzgerald…who Dan and Rogers Bob Dhein, Dave bailiffs: part-time very three “our thanked publicly Millermon cancellations. or trials upcoming about messaging text by and online jurors notify to working also is County Barron online. questionnaire qualification juror their complete to capability the have now jurors prospective that announced year,Millermon TransportationThis list. of Department the from jurors select to used process the outlined article the service, their for jurors thanking to addition In month. appreciation juror about article Millermon. Sharon Court Circuit of Clerk County Barron said County Jurors,” “Barron Appreciates says, that pen a receive year the throughout duty jury for report who jurors all year-round, jurors for appreciation show to wants County Barron Because court. circuit of clerk and judges the by for paid pen a juror each gave and courthouse the County Barron cookies. fresh-baked with treated were serve to selected Jurors Month. Appreciation “Without the willingness of Walworthto of residents willingness “WithoutCounty the court’sWalworthIn circuit office of County,clerk the education and outreach public a distributed Millermon at banner a displayed County September,Barron During W law. statutory state of areas critical to stability and clarity brings that legislation well-drafted and conceived well- non-partisan, with states provides and 1892, service. in breaks two after membership life for requirement service of years 20 the satisfy to history several speakers. Assembly by present, the to 2012 in and 2005-07 in reappointed was He 1996. through Tommyserved and Thompson Leader Minority then-Assembly by 1982 in member legislative a as appointed first was He commission. July.in conference commission’sthe annual at Commission Law state law where uniformity is desirable and practical. and desirable is uniformity where law state of areas in laws state uniform of enactment promote and draft who professors law and staff, legislative and The Uniform Law Commission was established in established was Commission Law Uniform The commission in person sixth the only is Prosser the on terms separate three served has Prosser Members are practicing lawyers, judges, legislators judges, lawyers, practicing are Members was elected as a life member of the Uniform the of member life a as elected was T.David Justice Prosser Court Supreme isconsin see Jurors on page 19 page on n

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 11 12

Fall Conference continued from front page 2015 system. Programs (CCAP) to help accommodate the anticipated Roggensack said the court system must take advantage of increase in workload that will result from the expansion of THE THIRD BRANCH new technology, such as electronic filing of court documents eFiling, Moran said. (eFiling), to ensure that courts meet the needs of the public The conference offered educational programming on efficiently. eFiling may soon become treatment courts and many other topics, such as: implicit mandatory in certain case types bias in the courtroom; domestic violence; juveniles and statewide. families; immigration; complex litigation; and working with Roggensack also touched on court electronic records and documents. innovation and leadership in other areas, Noted author Lynne Cheney presented on the biography such as trauma-informed decision she wrote, James Madison: A Life Reconsidered (Viking, making and treatment courts, which 2014). Cheney holds a Ph.D. in 19th century British address addictions faced by some literature from UW-Madison and served as chair of the individuals who become involved with National Endowment for the Humanities from 1986 to 1993. the courts. She also taught at UW-Madison. n “Above all, the most compelling aspect of treatment courts is the lives they transform and save – the members of our communities who become productive, healthy citizens and actively engaged Judge John R. Storck, Dodge parents…” Roggensack said. County Circuit Court, presents to Roggensack also announced during her fellow judges on the advantages of the Judicial Dashboard during an remarks that Director of State Courts J. educational session held at the Denis Moran, who began as interim annual meeting of the Judicial director in June 2015, has agreed to Conference. terms that will extend his contract as director for a year. Following the “State of the Judiciary,” Moran gave a brief Author Lynne Cheney offers some historical context on the update on activities in his office. Staff resources are already subject of her biography, James Madison: A Life being assigned within Consolidated Court Automation Reconsidered. Cheney was introduced to the audience by Justice David T. Prosser, who is seated at Cheney’s right.

Wheels continued from page 3 Students from UW-Platteville observed argument in Judge administration building. Robert P. VanDeHey’s Branch 1 Courtroom, as did high Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack noted the school students from the Grant County communities of importance of court outreach in remarks made during an Lancaster, Boscobel, Platteville, Potosi and Fennimore. opening ceremony at the courthouse. Bringing an international feel to this year’s Justice on “We realize that every person here has a stake in our Wheels, U.S. Attorney John W. Vaudreuil, Western District decisions. We want to make sure that you are familiar with of Wisconsin, attended with 15 visiting female prosecutors and have the utmost confidence in our Wisconsin courts. from Pakistan. The study group was in the United States as And, we think that one of the best ways to make that happen part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Overseas is to let you participate in the judicial system through Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. observations of the court in action during Justice on In addition to hearing three cases, justices met with local Wheels,” Roggensack said. officials, lawyers and members of the public at a luncheon Grant County is the 26th location visited as part of the hosted by the Grant County Bar Association at the county Justice on Wheels program, which was started in 1993. n

Atty. Rose Oliveto explains some of the issues to be heard by the Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson poses with the group of women Supreme Court during the Justice on Wheels program. Each trip, prosecutors from Pakistan who sat in on oral argument during the Court seeks local attorneys to help provide context to the cases the Justice on Wheels program in Lancaster. being heard “on the road.” renovation work at the courthouse. the at work renovation extensive after ceremony rededication a during audience the addresses Day R. Craig Judge Court Circuit County Grant an island in Lake Superior. Replacement stone installed in installed stone Superior.Replacement Lake in island an from quarried sandstone and brick Milwaukee of composed is exterior The Places. Historic of Registry National the in listed is It $135,000. of cost original an at 1905 through structures. stone existing preserve to done also was waterproofing Subterranean replaced. or repaired either and courthouse the from removed were stone old of tons 500 2015. Approximately and 2014 during place took that work stone and brick of refurbishment exterior million $2.2 a of O New judges New By Judge Craig R. Day, Grant County Circuit Court Circuit Day,County R. Grant Craig Judge By GrantCounty celebrates courthouse makeover release appointing Shannon. appointing release press Walkerhis nation,” in and said state the across judge every for foundation the as serve should that principles constitutional fundamental the to dedication strong a also community,County but Portage the to service of history long a 15. Sept. on serving began He Point. Stevens in firm private a at partner a as worked has and School Law University Marquette from degree Retirements ( 31 July on retired who V.John Judge of retirement Finn, the by created vacancy the fills Shannon bench. 2 Branch Court Circuit County Portage the Walkeron by serve selected to began 31. term Aug. Her daughters. two their with Franklin The Grant County courthouse was built from 1902 from built was courthouse County Grant The “He has demonstrated not only not demonstrated has “He law his received Shannon was practice Shannon private Atty.J. Former Robert its courthouse. The rededication followed completion followed rededication The courthouse. its of rededication a celebrated County Grant n 26, Aug. on page 6) page on continued from page 2 page from continued . see Shannon J. Robert Judge refreshments, and refreshments, tours, courthouse featured ceremony rededication 2000. through 1998 from undertaken renovation interior complete a of work the on builds work exterior The stone. existing the match to Utah in quarry a from in shipped instead was and source original the from quarried be not could 2014-15 courthouse. the from removed stone historic of auction an The 26 Aug. government. government. of branch third the to respect proper bring courthouse Count Grant the like edifices impressive that and controversies their of resolution peaceful and civil seek who all for Gov.by pardoned W. subsequently Upham. was H. murder.of She convicted fury,was public Zoldoski great by accompanied and accusations salacious with filled trial a In Clementson. before 1891 in Courthouse County Grant the in tried Center.was Richland Zoldoski Bradley’sof hometown of native a Zoldoski, Rose of tribulations and trials Ceremonies. of Master as served Day R. Craig Judge Court Circuit County Grant filings. and records court electronic as such justice, of administration the in developments future of preview a audience the gave and courthouse the of renovations exterior and interior recent the detailed P.Robert VanDeHey Judge Circuit County Grant square. courthouse the and courthouse County Grant the of history the in events significant of spoke Hibbard James historian Local 1883-1920. from Circuit Fifth the of judge was who Clementson, portrayed Haskins Bill thespian Lancaster 1902. earlier,113on 26, years cornerstone Aug. original the of laying the at delivered Clementson George Judge speaker.keynote and guest special as served Justice WalshCourt Ann WisconsinSupreme Bradley County. Wright’sappointment. of support TimothyCommissioner in Court wrote Adler County Claire Eau former colors,” flying with passed has College. LaGrange from B.A. a Denver,and of University the from M.B.A. an School, Law University Marquette from degree law a County.holds He Claire Eau for commissioner court reserve a 2013. of July since bench 1 Branch onthe seved had Bourget June. in resigned who Bourget, M. Kristina Judge replaces on 14, serving Aug. began Wright,Court. who Circuit County Claire Eau the of bench 1 Branch the on serve Point. Stevens in live wife, his Ann, and He organizations. community other many to addition in Committee, Security Courthouse County Portage Bradley reminded the audience that the courthouse exists courthouse the that audience the reminded Bradley the of tale a with crowd gathered the entertained Bradley oratory the of performance a included also program The Wright and his wife and daughter live in Eau Claire Eau in live daughter and wife his Wrightand and law the of areas multiple in tested been has “Brian as and practice, private in worked Wrighthas Walkerappointed Atty.WrightH. to Brian the of member a as served has Shannon n n ceremony. VanDeHey,rededication courthouse a after P.Robert and Day R. Craig Judges Court Circuit County Grant including officials, local with chats Bradley Walsh Justice Ann Court Supreme Judge Brian H. Wright H. Brian Judge

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall

Photo credit: Grant County Herald Independent 13 14

Fall OBITUARIES continued from front page 2015 Green Bay. The day after his death, Gov. Scott Walker her colleague’s passing.

THE THIRD BRANCH ordered the flags across the state be flown at half-staff in “In addition to having served as a circuit court judge and recognition of Crooks’ years of service to the state. on the Supreme Court, Justice Crooks made significant The Supreme Court held a moment of silence for Crooks contributions to the legal profession as a lawyer and a before hearing oral arguments on the morning of Sept. 22. teacher. He was a good friend and colleague, and he will be His robe was draped over his empty seat at the greatly missed by all.” bench of the hearing room in the state Capitol Crooks served as a member of the Federal-State Judicial for the duration of the Court’s proceedings Council, Wisconsin Judicial Council, State Bar Media/Law that day. Relations Committee, Executive Committee of the Crooks was a proud graduate of St. Norbert Wisconsin Law Foundation, Association for Women College in De Pere, and the University of Lawyers of Brown County, Juvenile Justice Task Force, Notre Dame. He James E. Doyle Inns of was awarded the Court, New York University St. Norbert School of Law Institute of Alma Mater Judicial Administration, and Award in 1992, the National Judicial and the Notre College. He also served as Dame Award of the director of the Notre Justice N. Patrick Crooks the Year in Dame Law Association, and 1978. While attending St. was a frequent presenter for Norbert College, Crooks had the Justice Teaching the opportunity to meet then- Institute, which gave middle U.S. Sen. John F. Kennedy, school and high school who visited the campus while teachers tips and ideas on campaigning in 1960. Crooks how to teach students about had helped organize the the judicial system. speaker series that brought Crooks also served as a Kennedy to the school, and long-time board member for was later able to sit next to the Wisconsin Law Kennedy at a lunch on the Gov. Scott Walker issued an executive order for flags across Foundation, a charitable the state to be flown at half-staff in honor of Justice N. Patrick campus. After receiving his law organization that promotes Crooks’ service to the state. Above left: flags flying at half degree, Crooks served as U.S. staff at the state Capitol, just above the Supreme Court the public understanding of Army officer at the Pentagon in conference room. Above right: the lowered flag at Lambeau the law and administration of the Office of the Judge Field on Sept. 25. justice through funding Advocate General. While innovative law-related public attending the Judge Advocate General’s Legal School at the service programs. On Sept. 30, Crooks’ contributions to the University of Virginia, Crooks was among those gathered at Law Foundation were recognized at a dinner in Madison. the funeral procession for Kennedy in Washington D.C. “He loved this organization so much,” said his oldest son, “Justice Crooks was an outstanding jurist, a thoughtful Atty. Michael P. Crooks, who accepted an award on his decision-maker and a colleague with a wonderful Irish sense father’s behalf at the dinner. “It was everything to him that of humor,” Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack said of embodied what it meant to be a lawyer, what it meant to be a judge, what it meant to be actually involved in the law because it promoted the law and it taught people about the law, which was essentially what he was about. He loved the law, he loved justice, he loved fairness, he loved equity.” In 2013, Justice Crooks celebrated 50 years as a member of the State Bar. At the time, he told the State Bar’s publication, Inside Track, that he became a lawyer, in part, to fulfill his father’s unrealized dream of entering the legal profession. Crooks said five of his six children became lawyers, “I think it was sibling rivalry, to be honest with you.” “The measure of the man is his commitment to his community and Justice N. Patrick Crooks’ seat on the Supreme Court bench (far left) remained empty, with his judicial robe draped over it, during the Court’s hearing of oral arguments on Sept. 22. see Obituaries on page 15 locating and filling out court forms, and check forms for forms check and forms, court out filling and locating on information provide cases; pending on information non-confidential provide terms; and practices, procedures, rules, court on information provide process; appellate state the on questions answer to available is Thursdays, appeals. civil in involved litigants T Desk Help Appellate launches Bar State “Presiding over more than 800 jury trials and 17 first-degree 17 and trials jury 800 than more over “Presiding read. obituary an principled,” and honest but skilled and bench. court circuit the from retirement his after judge reserve a as serve to continued also He Nevada. Reno, in College Judicial National the for member 1989. in retirement his until serve to continued Bartholomew 1978. Reorganization in Act Court the after Court Circuit County Croix St. the to transferred later was He Court. Circuit WesternWisconsin’s Judicial Eight for ran successfully he 1967, In 1963. in Court County Pepin the 96. of age the at 22 Oct. on away passed Bartholomew Court Circuit County Croix St. Court Circuit Judicial Eighth Court County Pepin G.John Judge Bartholomew grandchildren. 21 and children six their and Kristin, wife, his by survived is He Cubs. Chicago the and Irish, Fighting Packers, Badgers, his on cheering especially sports, of love and wit, quick kindness, his for remembered robe.” the bad…Youunder these see can’t was winter the when Court the to them wore he and shovel to them wore he games, Packers to them wore “He recalled: Michael boots, the up year-oldHolding boots. Army 53- father’s his by symbolized stubbornness, his about also but right, was what doing to commitment father’s his about Gov.funeral Walker.Scott the at spoke Crooks Michael and state the around from judges 50 than more including 26, Sept. in on Church Allouez Catholic Matthew St. at Crooks do.” to things easy not were things those which in times at laws housing open our of pioneers the of one center.was detention He a into and jail the of out kids center,getting detention juvenile our Bay.started “He Green in 11News Fox told Court, Circuit County Brown Zuidmulder,Donald Judge Chief important,” are that things The help desk, which is offered on Tuesdayson and offered is which desk, help The OBITUARIES OBITUARIES “He desired a Bench and Bar that was not only intelligent only not was that Bar and Bench a desired “He faculty a as served Bartholomew to elected first was Bartholomew G.John Judge Court Circuit County Pepin Former be will Crooks field, legal the to dedication his with Along for service funeral the attended people of Hundreds is offering an online help desk for self-represented for desk help online an offering is Wisconsinthe Bar Stateof Section he Practice Appellate continued from page 14 page from continued Bartholomew G.John Judge UHA1TE0/view?pli=1. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B03qk_4HcMIoNmxiZW5N [email protected] representation, or do legal research. legal do or representation, deadlines. court on information provide and completeness; information about the Appellate Help Desk can be found at: found be can Desk the Help about Appellate information sisters; and five brothers. five and sisters; Mills. Lake in Crepaco for clerk accounting an as worked also had career,and his in early Capitol state the in page Senate a as worked had he court, of clerk the as serving obituary,to an prior to According 2006. in retired He 1968. in election for running first years, 78. was He 15. Oct. on away passed Schopen Court of Clerk County Jefferson Schopen M. Kenneth nephews. and brother,nieces, a sisters, breaking.” is heart “My saying. as quoted together,officewas support child the in working since friends been had two the paper the told Flancher,who Faye Judge Court Circuit County Racine known,” ever court. of clerk deputy administrative an as and Office, Court’sof Clerk the for manager case court criminal a as Office, Support Child Racine the Office,Commissioner’s Court Family County Racine the with worked previously had She 2010. in position the to election first her everyone.” with well worked she and improved, be should what knew TimesJournal the told Court, Circuit Torhorst,County Racine 64. of age the at 31 July on unexpectedly Court of Clerk County Racine Lee Rose siblings. six his and Martha, wife, his by death in preceded was He great-grandchildren. seven and grandchildren, 1948-56. from attorney district County Pepin the as served He 1947. in graduated and School Law University Marquette in enrolled He 1945. in sergeant staff a as Judge discharged the was Advocate’sin he Office, Harbor.Pearl of serving bombing After the U.S. after Army careers.” legal many influenced and knowledge of wealth a was he trials, murder For more information on the Appellate Help Desk, email Desk, the Help on Appellate information more For or advice legal provide to able be not will desk help The Schopen is survived by his wife, Ione; two daughters; two daughters; two Ione; wife, his by survived is Schopen 38 for county the for court of clerk as served Schopen M. Kenneth Court of Clerk County Jefferson Former mother,two her son, a and daughter a by survived is Lee have I people loving most sweetest, the of one was “Rose won and 2009, in court of clerk appointed first was Lee Judge “Pat” Chief Allan job,” wonderful a did “She away passed Lee Rose Court of Clerk County Racine eight children, four by survived is Bartholomew the in UW-Madison,enlisted Aof Bartholomew graduate . “She has made wonderful improvements, she improvements, wonderful made has “She . n n or call 414-671-9041. More 414-671-9041. call or Racine

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 15 16

Fall 2015 Tour brings students to Shawano courthouse eserve Judge Thomas G. Grover was among

THE THIRD BRANCH volunteers who recently helped students from RBonduel and Shawano High Schools learn about legal and emergency service careers during a “business tour” sponsored by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC). The tour started Sept. 22 at the Shawano County courthouse with an introduction, lunch and overview of programs at the college. Students were then divided into groups to tour four different stations, including Legal, Fire, Police/Investigation and Emergency Management Response. Grover, who previously served as a county and circuit court judge, and Shawano County District Attorney Greg Parker discussed careers in the legal field. Shawano Police Chief Mark Kohl and Shawano County Sheriff’s Department Cpt. Tom Tuma were available to talk about career options in criminal justice. Community leaders from other departments discussed career opportunities in other areas. Reserve Judge Thomas G. Grover (second from right) responds to Last year, NWTC facilitated six business tours, questions from students who participated in a recent “business tour,” where 300 students and teachers participated in which included a stop at the Shawano County Board Room at the n these educational events. courthouse.

Bradley continued from front page attorney and as a judge in the Milwaukee County Circuit 2013. She was appointed to the Court of Appeals bench on Court and in the District I Court of Appeals. June 1. Prior to serving on the circuit court, she worked in Roggensack, who addressed reporters at the press private practice for 16 years. conference, said Bradley’s experience would assist the new A Milwaukee native, Bradley received a bachelor of justice in making a smooth transition to the Supreme Court. science degree from Marquette University in 1993 and Bradley was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit received her law degree from the UW Law School in 1996. Court in 2012, and won election to the Branch 45 bench in She is a member of the Wisconsin Juvenile Jury Instruction Committee; Wisconsin Juvenile Benchbook Committee; Board of Advisors, Milwaukee Lawyers Chapter, Federalist Society; Board of Governors, St. Thomas More Lawyers Society; and the Wisconsin State Advisory Committee, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She was a member of the Wisconsin Trial Judges Association and the Milwaukee Trial Judges Association. While in private practice, Bradley served as an American Arbitration Association Arbitrator and was chair of the State Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack and members of the media gather in the governor’s Bar Business Law n conference room as Gov. Scott Walker announces the appointment of Justice Rebecca G. Bradley to Section. the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Oct. 9. group’s visit Sept. 16. Sept. visit group’s the during Capitol state the of Room Hearing North the in Court Association Circuit of Clerks Wisconsin the with speaks (D-StevensPoint), Shankland Katrina Rep. Diversion Court. Diversion Veteran,Veteran’sthe over presides also Navy a Flanagan, remarks. made Flanagan David Judge Court Circuit County Dane and WalkenhorstSarah President Association Bar Humphrey,County as Dane present were dignitaries county and lawyers judges, 18. 25 Sept. Aof on crowd ceremony courthouse. County Dane the of exterior the on hung it have and plaque the restore to Management Facilities County Dane with worked Humphrey Paul District Chair Atty.Committee and war,that of Assistant start the of anniversary Worldin fought 100th who Warthe On I. attorneys local honors that plaque bronze a located Committee Memorials and History A group during a lunch meeting in the North Hearing Room. Other guest speakers guest Other Room. Hearing North the in meeting lunch a during group Rottier.Nancy system’sLiaison court Legislative the and Moran Denis J. Courts State of Director with met also group The (R-Mukwonago). Horlacher Cody Rep. by Capitol the to M Clerks of court group visits with lawmakers with visits group court of Clerks Plaque honors Dane County attorney veterans attorney County Dane honors Plaque The plaque was re-dedicated at a at re-dedicated was plaque The Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) spoke to the to spoke Point) (D-Stevens Shankland Katrina Rep. Leader Minority Assistant welcomed were court circuit of clerks offices, legislative individual visiting Before the Dane County Bar County Association Dane the storage, in lost years six spending fter organization’s 2015 Legislative Day on Sept. 16. Sept. on Day organization’sLegislative 2015 the of part as Capitol state the at legislators with Court visited Circuit Association of Wisconsinthe Clerks of embers n members who served in World War I. War World in served who members bar county honoring plaque a with courthouse the outside pose Walkenhorst Sarah President Bar County Dane District and Atty.Assistant Humphrey Paul County Dane Flanagan, David Judge Court Circuit County Kolar,Dane Mary Supervisor Connery,County Dan Dane Officer Veterans Service County Dane interpreter services, and fiscal responsibility.”fiscal and services, interpreter efficient court administration, record keeping, jury management, jury keeping, record administration, court efficient and timely provide who personnel knowledgeable and professional dedicated having by system justice the in confidence public enhance to able is court clerk: a of role important the of explanation an including officer,constitutional a clerk’sas duties a of description a providing flyers informational out handed clerks the offices, group. the with interest of issues and process legislative the Counties Association. Wisconsinthe of staffaffairs government the of both Diedrick-Kasdorf, Sarah and Christianson Kyle included “… The clerk of circuit of clerk The “… legislative visiting While discussed legislators The Legislative Day visit. Day Legislative their during Capitol state the at Room Hearing Court Supreme the outside pose Association Court of Clerks Wisconsin the of Members n

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 17 18

Fall 2015 Judges bring recognition to pro bono work By Jeff Brown, Access to Justice Commission

THE THIRD BRANCH he second year of the Wisconsin former District Court Administrator opportunity at which to recognize the Pro Bono Honor Society marked a Kristina Aschenbrenner contacted the five Brown County honorees. significantT increase in the number of presiding judges in the counties with The commission is grateful for the attorneys recognized for their pro bono pro bono honorees, and the judges willingness of so many judges and work – 398 attorneys in 2014, decided the occasion to present the DCAs to participate in honoring compared to 121 attorneys in 2013. certificates of recognition to the attorneys for their pro bono The Pro Bono Honor Society is an honorees. These occasions included contributions. It is crucial that annual recognition program created by county board meetings and a meeting attorneys know their pro bono work is the Wisconsin Access to Justice of the local Criminal Justice valued by the judiciary. Commission with support from the Coordinating Council. Judges can also play a role in State Bar of Wisconsin’s pro bono In counties where the bar encouraging attorneys who meet the program. The attorneys honored have associations already had annual events qualifications for membership in the performed at least 50 hours of to honor attorneys for their pro bono honor society to submit their names qualifying pro bono legal services work, such as Milwaukee, Dane, and during the annual certification period. during the calendar year by providing Washington counties, recognition of The certification period for pro bono legal services without fee or at a the Pro Bono Honor Society attorneys work in 2015 is open now and will substantially reduced fee for persons of has been added to the agenda, with close at the end of February 2016. limited means, or for organizations that circuit court judges participating in the Each Wisconsin attorney will receive serve persons of limited means. As the presentations. Marathon County email notification of this. Attorneys Wisconsin Supreme Court stated in an Circuit Court Judge Michael K. Moran may self-certify that they qualify based open letter congratulating the 2014 arranged for a presentation of the on their work in 2015, and others honorees, “Volunteers are a key certificates to District Nine’s honorees knowledgeable about the attorney’s pro component of our legal services at a Marathon County Bar Association bono work – such as judges, law firms, delivery system in Wisconsin and their meeting. and pro bono programs – may certify services are a valuable contribution to Judges have also arranged for on the attorneys’ behalf. Certifications the fair and effective functioning of presentation of the certificates in their should be submitted using the online our courts.” courtrooms at an occasion when other form on the commission’s website. Circuit court judges and district court members of the local bar are present: The commission looks forward to administrators (DCA) around the state Jackson County Circuit Court Judge recognizing an even greater number of have played a vital role this year in Anna Becker and Green County attorneys for their contributions in recognizing the 398 attorneys in 39 Circuit Court Judge James R. Beer 2015, and to the continued support of counties. Their efforts and each took this approach. And in the judiciary in these efforts. participation have made it possible to Brown County, Chief Judge Donald R. honor these attorneys at a local bar Zuidmulder and Brown County Bar In Other News: event or some other meaningful Association President Corey Kimps The commission has launched occasion in their own counties, even if jointly decided that a special session of Wisconsin Legal Advice Online, a new there is only one honoree in the the Brown County Circuit Court, statewide resource that connects county. sponsored by the Robert J. Parins Inns volunteer Wisconsin lawyers with For example, in District 10, now- of Court, would be the appropriate members of the public who have legal questions. Volunteers are being recruited now and outreach to the public will begin this fall. We believe the website will be a great resource for the public and for overburdened court staff who don’t have a local resource where they can refer litigants who have legal questions that staff cannot answer. The commission is also pleased to report that Wisconsin is no longer on the very short list of states that include no funding for civil legal aid to low income residents in the state budget. The Legislature approved and Gov. Scott Walker signed the budget bill that includes $500,000 per year for legal aid services to abuse victims in Judge James R. Beer, Green County Circuit Court, left, and retired Court of Appeals n Judge Margaret Vergeront, center, presented certificates of recognition to attorneys the 2015-17 biennium. Michael Gengler and Timothy Burns for their pro bono work in the county. Also pictured is Jane Bucher of the Green County Bar Association, right. Trauma Project or the Fostering the or TraumaProject Families’and Children of Department the of part as or independently either jurisdictions, many in Workbegun systems. already has welfare child and court the within levels all at training and practices CCIP Courts. the and Welfare Child on Conference the attends Roggensack Drake Patience Justice Chief Jurors County during that time, Vandertime, that during said. County Leest Brown in trial jury a on served actually jurors 2,050 and duty,jury for citizens 7,200 summoned County Brown process. court the in reflected are sentiments trials. civil and criminal at testimony and purposes: system. justice our to contribution and time their for jurors the all thank system’sto legal chance the is this month, another or September in served juror a Whether perseveres. justice of cornerstone American the that ensure to lives personal and work their aside Wisconsinin set jurors as serve Press-GazetteGreenBay the to letter a in jurors for appreciation his showed Leest County Brown offer,”to has Wynn world wrote. the It’sbest trial. the on citizens of rights the guarantees ways society the American of one are Juries so. did they proud and happy were they end responsibility,the the in out carry to hesitant were originally they while that us tell consistently trials jury on serve who decisions…Jurors conscientious and fair just, reaching of burden great the out carry who citizens by made are determinations important most the arguably decisions, important make During the period from January through September,through January from period the During decisions. legal public’sof the acceptance foster They and values community which by means a provide They evidence by presented as case a in facts the decide They important three serve Vanderjuries that wrote Leest to summoned “Individuals part: in stated letter The VanderJohn Court Circuit of Clerk County Brown government of members and lawyers judges, “While continued from page 7 page from continued continuedfrom page 11 sentiments These staff. court for impacts . work other and turnover of rates high in result may that effects traumatic secondary significant the address to on went initiative. Futures Marsh The conference concluded with a with concluded conference The circles. talking tribal and meditation, mindfulness, toward geared events evening in resiliency building and stress with dealing for skills learn to youth. dual-status and planning case to users opiate in trauma and epigenetics from ranging topics, on workshops also were There experience. Native the American of lens the through largely trauma, historical of effects trans-generational the University,State Bemidji addressed at it. suppressing than rather sadness and pain that sharing and stress the recognize to simply was said, Henry solution, the of part One stress. traumatic secondary unchecked of outcomes inevitable the as burnout and fatigue compassion Center.addressed Assessment Henry Children’sUniversity Trauma Westernthe of Michigan Henry James by detail further in repeated were Participants also had the opportunity the had also Participants Ojibwe Treuer,of Anton professor a n (not pictured) annually volunteers at the pre-registration. the at volunteers annually pictured) (not Babler James Judge Court Circuit County Barron 2:25:04. of time a with marathon half the ran respectively.Harrington 28:22, and 25:35 of times with 5K the ran Meyer and Millermon 19. Sept. on Wis. Barron, in Run Memorial Ellefson Lyndon the participatedin Millermon Sharon Court of Clerk County Barron and Harrington; Eugene Judge Court Circuit County Washburn Meyer; Lori administrator) County,(presently court Anoka Court Minn. Circuit of Clerk County St.Croix Former pavement. the pound officials Court Program organizations. partner several from assistance with Families, and Children of Department the individuals. traumatized with closely work who those also but struggles, similar had have who those only not help to path the on her put ultimately but incarceration, her to led eventually events these how explained She youth. a as experienced she events of effects traumatic the discussed who Tamrafrom Oman, presentation spirited The conference was sponsored by sponsored was conference The Children’sImprovement Court and the Wisconsinthe and n Courts. the and Welfare Child on Conference the at Rossell Jason A. Judge Court Circuit County Kenosha

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 19 20

Fall Legislative continued from page 10 2015 Staff continued from page 6 time. AB 50 relates to access to ignition interlock serve as a part-time executive assistant device reports and occupational license eligibility

THE THIRD BRANCH to the chief justice in 2014. periods for participants in certain treatment Bissonnette had served as a judge in projects. Dodge County from 1989 to 2013. In his role as executive assistant, he Review of Criminal Penalties worked on the Working A fourth committee, the Study Committee on the Interdisciplinary Network of Review of Criminal Penalties, had its report Guardianship introduced as Assembly Bill 128 on March 27, Stakeholders 2015. It was referred to the Assembly Committee (WINGS) of on Corrections, but no action has been taken at Wisconsin. this time. WINGS Assembly Bill 128 classifies the majority of Judge Andrew P. brings unclassified misdemeanors into one of the three Bissonnette together elder current classes of misdemeanors (A, B or C). In care agencies addition, the bill deletes certain obsolete to address the issues faced by elderly misdemeanors and changes the penalties for some in need of guardianship. of the misdemeanors that had no jail-time Kristina Aschenbrenner, former component (fine only) to a civil forfeiture. The District Ten Court Administrator, bill also provides that the criminal procedure accepted a new position as the city Kristina Aschenbrenner rules of discovery would apply to civil forfeiture administrator for the city of actions initiated by the citation procedure Rhinelander. She began her new position on Sept. 8. contained in the bill. Three circuit court judges Aschenbrenner had previously served as the clerk of court served on the study committee: Chief Judge for Eau Claire County from 2008 until 2014, when she became Donald R. Zuidmulder of Brown County, Scott the district court administrator. n W. Horne of La Crosse County and David M. Reddy of Walworth County. n

In August, the chairs, desks, and attorney table were all removed from the Supreme Court Hearing Room in the Capitol to make way for new carpeting. The only furniture remaining in the room during the installation was the Supreme Court Bench, which is mounted to the floor. The new carpeting replaced carpeting installed in 2001 to match the original carpeting. While the new carpet installed this year matches the look of the original, it is designed to hold up better to foot traffic and cleaning.

Conference held for municipal court clerks ore than 230 municipal court clerks from throughout Wisconsin gathered in Appleton on Oct. M22-23 to study a variety of topics at the 2015 Municipal Court Clerk Seminar. The annual seminar was hosted by the Office of Judicial Education with planning support from the Municipal Court Clerk Advisory Committee, which presented an orientation session for new clerks. Breakout sessions were held on topics, including Department of Natural Resource violations, joint municipal courts, costs and fees, Department of Transportation records, debt collection, stress management, and personal safety in the courtroom. Other sessions addressed communications, legal issues, job responsibilities, juvenile cases and alcohol assessments and driver safety plans. n Judicial Education Director Karla Baumgartner, seated at right, and Program Assistant Carol Koschel register attendees at the 2015 Municipal Court Clerk Seminar at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. Judge Michael D. Goulee D. Michael Judge Municipal Judge Municipal Municipal Judge Municipal Edwards Port former of shy years five just is bench the on years 42 His state. the in judge sitting serving longest the city’sbudget. the annual in included be will program the run to cost annual $60,000 the told city.council the youth by offeredThe already programs school after and employment youth toward offenders steering by article, the to according judges, municipal open.” more view...theybe of would point your from things see and you to relate can who peers, your to paper.talk the to “Totold able Haywood be discussion,” equal an be would it judging, were reported. newspaper the parents, their as age same the be may who judge a than rather age, own their people to better respond may offenders teen believes council, youth the of members teenagers. of panel a before appear to crimes non-violent minor with chargedoffenders teen first-time allow would state, the in operating currently courts teen other like court, proposed The the to according court, youth Youtha create to Council Milwaukee’sby plan a to thanks peers, their of jury a face Abrahamson S. Shirley Justice The for caseloads reduce help also could program The we where above bench a be wouldn’t “It II Haywood Kalan to chance a have may Milwaukee’soffenders youngest NEWS AND NOTES Journal Sentinel Journal Green Bay Press-GazetteGreenBay Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Journal Milwaukee Robert Betley Robert Donald Carl Donald they hope the estimated $20,000- estimated the hope they , one of the 14 the of one , Michael D. Guolee D. Michael Judge Court Circuit County Milwaukee Former judges. court state current and judges, court municipal fellow 239 his than longer served apparently has 1973, newspaper.the to according state’sthe history,in judge serving longest the be to believed is Carl 2006. in retired he when years on the bench, and bench, the on years 38 after 2014 in retired never faced an opponent in an in opponent an faced never has He up. stepped else one no and ill became predecessor his after judgeship municipal the over taking before trustee village years. 39 for justice a as served has S. Shirley Abrahamson Justice Court Supreme term, which ends in three years, three in ends which term, current his out serve to plans he paper the told He election. Betley, who began serving in serving Betley,began who Betley served as a as served Betley , who had served 47 years 47 served had who , reports that Pulaski that reports is being recognized as the as recognized being is , Judge Alan J. White J. Judge Alan Drake Roggensack Drake Patience Justice Chief systems. Educational sessions Educational systems. courts’justice state juvenile the supervision, and required check-ins with the judge in court. in judge the with check-ins required and supervision, treatment, time, jail including phases, three complete must again.” kids their with playing together,parents back are that families is “It noting: savings, beyond go benefits the saying as quoted was White 2014. in began it since participants all for days jail 1,000 over and figures six to close county the saved has court treatment OWI the that courtroom the certificate. framed a with him presented and graduate the congratulated White J. and will decide then whether to run again. run to whether then decide will and The program is offered to third-time OWI offenders, who offenders, OWI third-time to offered is program The in those told White see Columbia as courtroom, 3 Branch the filled participants, program current including www.madison.com.website news Attendees, the to according graduate, TreatmentOWI Court Court Circuit County News and notes and News In August, Columbia County celebrated its first its celebrated County In Columbia August, meeting in Omaha, in meeting annual (COSCA) Court Administrators State of Conference and (CCJ) Justices Chief of Conference the attended Courts State of Director and outcome. positive surprising, a was program the in participants the between developed focused on reform in reform on focused meeting year’s This 25-29. July Nebraska Alan Chief Justice Chief that system support the that said White The Dane County courthouses. County Dane and Milwaukee the in libraries branch its at and Madison, in Jr.Boulevard King, Luther Library,StateMartin Law the 120 available now is Connect,” Inform, “Explore, entitled brochure, The branches. its and library the at resources many the of advantagetake should public the and students, owners, business professionals, legal other lawyers, reasons different many the highlight to brochure on page 22 page on Wisconsin State Law Library StateLaw Wisconsin Patience Drake Roggensack Drake Patience J. Denis Moran Denis J. J. Denis Moran Denis J. has developed a new a developed has

online THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall and at and 21 22

Fall NEWS AND NOTES continued from page 21 2015 addressed school discipline, adolescent brain development, and Partnership Associate Carousel Bayrd was quoted as racial and ethnic disparity, and due-process issues in saying. “These things, once you’re in, they impact the rest THE THIRD BRANCH juvenile cases. The meeting marked the 60th anniversary of of your life.” COSCA, which was established in 1955. Past COSCA According to the article, 800 municipal citations, or about presidents, including Moran, gathered to recognize the a quarter of all Madison Police Department arrests, were occasion. issued to teens between the ages of 12 and 16. Through the program, families of teens issued citations Former president and founder of the National Center for may contact the YWCA prior to the court date, and the State Courts (NCSC) Edward B. McConnell passed away ticket will be put on hold. Offenders will appear before a on Aug. 10. McConnell served as the administrative director court of their peers, and sentencing will most likely be for the New Jersey court system from 1953 to 1973. After restorative. leaving the New Jersey court system, he helped found the When an offender completes the program, the YWCA will NCSC, and served as the center’s first president from 1973 contact the court to have the offense cleared. If an offender to 1990. does not complete the program, they will have to go to “Ed was one of the true founders of judicial court. administration not just in the U.S. but globally,” said current “Restorative justice is about addressing harm, it’s not NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. about letting people off the hook,” YWCA CEO Rachel “Without Ed there would not be an NCSC. Many of you Krinsky, who also runs a similar program in the Madison may not know that Ed signed personal bank notes and school district, told the paper. secured a second mortgage on his home to make payroll in the infancy of NCSC. His commitment and vision were The appointment of Judge Rebecca G. Bradley to the seeds that flourished to become the institution that is District I Court of Appeals (now a Supreme Court justice) recognized around the world for service and leadership to that was effective June 1, created the first all-female appeals courts.” Director of State Courts J. Denis Moran was court in the state, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported among those who attended a memorial for McConnell in in August. Williamsburg during October. Bradley, who was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Scott Walker joined Judges Joan F. Kessler, Patricia The Waukesha County Clerk of Courts Office received the S. Curley, and Kitty K. Brennan on District I. She 2014 Organization Angel Award from the Christmas replaced Judge Ralph Adam Fine, who passed away in Clearing Council of Waukesha County. December of 2014. In existence for 65 years, the Christmas Clearing Council Curley talked to the paper about being one of only three is a nonprofit group that matches families in need with women to graduate from Marquette University Law School individuals and groups who want to provide gifts to their in 1968, and about being one of the first two women to children during the holiday season. In 2014, the organization serve on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court when she was provided gifts to 4,100 children in need. appointed in 1978. The award was presented to the clerk’s office at their Bradley said she is grateful for management meeting in July, and will be displayed in the the women judges for laying the administrative lobby. groundwork. According to the Christmas Clearing Council’s records, “There’s no difference in how the Waukesha County Clerk of Courts Office has supported we conference or decide cases. the program since at least 1999. Women don’t really think “I have the pleasure of working with incredibly kind- differently, it’s just not true,” hearted people and this group loves to support the children Kessler told the paper. of our community in any way we are able to,” Waukesha While Kessler said being a County Clerk of Court Kathleen Madden said. woman does not impact the way judges rule, there may be some Youth in Madison have a new option to avoid fines and a difference when it comes to conviction record when they violate city ordinances, Justice Rebecca G. see News and notes on page 24 according to The Capital Times. On Sept. 15, Bradley Madison and Dane County leaders launched a restorative justice program that works with the YWCA of Dane County and Dane County TimeBank to allow offenders between the ages of 12 and 16 to participate in a teen court and restorative sentencing in order to avoid a conviction on their criminal record. “You get an arrest and a civil conviction for disorderly conduct, retail theft, it impacts your ability to get a driver’s license, which impacts your ability to get a job, go to school,” YWCA Restorative Justice Policy Judge Kitty K. Brennan Judge Patricia S. Curley Judge Joan F. Kessler quit in the winter.”the in quit to want didn’t “That’sI said. why he 14,” outdoors. time more spend and reading, family,more visit do to plans also He he’sbeen. places never visit and before he’sdone things never TrialJudges. State of Conference National the of delegate Team,Management a Planning and Center Justice County Portage Conference, Judicial the of Committee Executive Committee, Image Public Bar State the Committee, Relations Media/Law Bar State the of member a been Law.has of He School John’sSt. University from degree law a and University Marquette from New York,B.A. Bronx, a holds he in attorney district assistant and attorney practice private year.following that election Afirst former his won and decision?’” the made robe black a in man a children decisions. custody the make parents the let it’sto believes better he as themselves, agreement an to come to people get to tried has he said He times. at him desktop.’” the using is who few the of one you’re ‘because ‘why?’asked, I said, and he laptop, And a wanted I if started. he when offices the in computers no were there said He that. with helped has courts the in technology of use increased the But administration. not law,in trained was he since work, administrative the been first. die to had just they in, wanted basically,they them, if told he said he So there. remain could spouse the and serve,” first come, “first said basically it that law,found the and into research some do to had he said member,”Finn “family stated contract the Since removed. spouse the have to arguing were siblings Twosiblings. the remaining of the for plots few too one leaving plots, the of one in buried them had sibling that away,passed and also had siblings the of plots. one family Aof the spouse in buried were and away passed siblings the of one and parents the time, Over children. four the of each for one and parent, each for one plots, burial family six purchased coat. her inside tucked dog a with house her of out walking morning, that taken tenant, the of photo a showed phone The Finn. to it handed and phone cell his out took landlord The evidence. of piece more one judge the show to asked landlord the when case, the dismiss to about just was he said Finn rule, cats or dogs no the violate technically not did bird a considering bird’sand this abilities, by amazed Somewhat Brewers. the for run home a calling Uecker Bob even dog, a cat, “I’ve never had a summer off since I was I since off summer a had never “I’ve do to hopes he said Finn retirement, his In 1988, in bench 2 Branch the to appointed first was Finn your tell and home go to want you ‘Do them, to say “I for difficult been also have cases custody child said Finn me asked administrator) DCAcourt the (district 1990, “In has him for job the of aspect difficult most the said Finn had who family a in siblings involved case second The RETIREMENT RETIREMENT continued from page 6 page from continued Forbeck W.Kenneth Judge Judge Daniel S. George S. Daniel Judge good.” really feeling I’m and heart year-old 18 an have “I said. himself. enjoy to plan does he future, the in again running out ruled not has he while and courthouse, the in people the with added. he fast,” up fills to.” listened and heard be to right the have People time. of period reasonable a in decisions make and evidence, the to Listen litigant. every to “Listen 5: Branch including bench, the taking agreements. reach companies mortgage and homeowners help to program mediation foreclosure County Rock the organize helped he 2009, In School. Law University Marquette from degree underwent a heart and kidney transplant at the Mayo Clinic. Mayo the at transplant kidney and heart a underwent Forbeck 2014, October In reasons. medical to due was again run to paperwork the file not did he reason the said Forbeck him. of see we last the be not may this warns W.Kenneth Judge Court Forbeck Circuit County Rock Court Circuit County Rock W.Forbeck Kenneth Judge “It’s the first time in 45 years that I haven’t worked,” he worked,” haven’t I that years 45 in time “It’sfirst the working and camaraderie the miss will he said Forbeck away,calendar right the vacations your schedule “And be will who judges new the to advice this offered Forbeck law a University,holds Marquette Forbeck Aof graduate Forbeck said since his return to the bench, the more the bench, the to return his since said Forbeck spring, past this re-election seek not did he Although Branch 5 bench in 2009. He noticed one significant one noticed He 2009. in bench 5 Branch the to election won He bench. the joining before immediately.involved parties the to decisions his give to prefers he since decisions, few very written and court, open in decisions his of most made 2007. in then-Gov.Doyle by Jim appointed first was he since bench his before come have that cases interesting the of all enjoyed has he said county.he the But in judges other to transferred been have cases serious judge,” he said. he judge,” bench. the took he once attorney an being and judge a being between difference be destroyed. be to it wanted father his while research, for donated it wanted pathologist’smother Dahmer’sstate office. the by preserved been had brain the but cremated, been had body Dahmer’s of rest The prison. in death Dahmer’s after 1995 in probate in raised was term. his of end the at July in retirement his to prior said, George S. Daniel Judge Court Circuit County Columbia brain,” Dahmer’sJeffrey with do Court Circuit County Columbia George S. Daniel Judge Forbeck worked in private practice for 37 years 37 for practice private in worked Forbeck has he that fact the of proud is he said Forbeck “People actually listen to you when you’re a you’re when you to listen actually “People “It needed to be destroyed,” George said about said George destroyed,” be to needed “It George said the issue of what to do with the brain the with do to what of issue the said George to what deciding for known most probably “I’m see Retirements on page 25 page on

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 23 24

Fall NEWS AND NOTES continued from page 22 2015 topics of conversation outside the law in the District I The Jefferson County Alcohol

THE THIRD BRANCH offices, where even the support staff are all female. Treatment Court celebrated its “We talk about our grandkids, I’m not sure how much first graduate on Oct. 7, according guys do that.” to the Daily Union. The program, which is just over a year old, is The Wisconsin offered to qualified repeat State Journal offenders over the age of 18 reported on a willing to complete a four-phase phone scam that is treatment program. threatening people The celebration for graduate with jail time for Henry Gibbemeyer was attended missing jury duty. by Jefferson County Circuit Court According to the Judge William F. Hue and Chief Judge William F. Hue article, the caller, Justice Patience Drake who poses as a Roggensack, as well as other program participants. sheriff’s office “This treatment court holds offenders accountable for their lieutenant, tells crimes while treating and resolving alcohol issues,” Hue people to send told the paper. “We are fortunate to have many talented money in order to people joining in this effort strongly supported by the avoid jail time. administration and county board here in Jefferson County.” Both the According to the article, Gibbemeyer completed 139 The National Center for State Courts recently made Madison Police preliminary breath tests, 140 self-help meetings, eight available posters to warn people about possible scams that Department and random drug screenings, 34 office appointments with staff, use jury duty as a ploy to get people to provide personal the Dane County and 17 court appearances before graduating from the information or money to fraudsters. Milwaukee County is among counties displaying the posters at the courthouse. Sheriff’s Office program. Pictured above are jury coordinator Lori Schumann (center) have received “I am a big fan of treatment courts,” Roggensack was and staffers (left to right), Pria Micklevitz, Juan Jimenez, complaints about quoted as saying. “I think they are so important and so Trinette Smith and Lisa Bucci. the phone calls. critical, and you are very fortunate in Jefferson County to Police are have the kind of county board you have that supports this, encouraging anyone who receives such a phone call to and believes it and understands it.” report it, and remind citizens that they do not collect fees over the phone, according to the article. Former Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Andrew P. Bissonnette spoke to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about WSAU reported on the outreach program, Court with News and notes Class, that is co-sponsored by the Supreme Court see on page 27 and State Bar of Wisconsin. The program invites high school classes in to the Supreme Court hearing room in the state Capitol to observe oral arguments before the Supreme Court. The program, which first began in 1996, also allows the students to meet with a justice, who discusses the role of the judiciary and how the Supreme Court operates. “It’s more important for them to see what an appellate court looks like,” Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack told the station. “I think the Judicial Branch of government is the least understood and it’s mostly because people don’t see what we do.”

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel posted a photo on its website of a suspect in a bomb threat called in to the Racine County Courthouse on Oct. 26. The photo, released by authorities looking to identify the suspect, shows an individual making a call on a public phone. The threatening phone call, made around 8:30 that Three Milwaukee judges volunteered as part of the Association of morning, caused the building to be evacuated. The Women Lawyers to paint the interior of a Habitat for Humanity house courthouse was reopened around 1 p.m. after it had near Washington Park on Oct. 17: District I Court of Appeals Judge Joan been searched and cleared, the Journal Sentinel F. Kessler, and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judges Michelle reported. Ackerman Havas and Mel Flanagan (front row, left to right). Also pictured are Daryl Whyte of Habitat for Humanity, and attorneys Pria Barnes, Jill Kastner and Cathy Burgoyne. farm, which he and his wife took over, as well as traveling. as well over,as took wife his and he which farm, Quincy of town a on up grew he farming; now time his spend to plans he But said. Pollex enjoyed,” I job a at work School. Law UW from degree law a and Madison UW-from degree bachelors a commissioner.holds He court the County as Adams attorney,11district years and County the as Adams terms three years, 23 for for County attorney Adams city the as served previously had He Polivka. H. Duane Judge retiring of vacancy the fill to 2003, in bench County concerned.” I’m as far honor,as high very a is “It said. serving County,”of Adams he privilege term. his of end the at 31 July on retired Pollex years. 12 last the enjoyed really has he said also he But cases. research to time adequate having always not and caseload, heavy a with deal to had has he meant has county one-judge a being that said Pollex cases. divorce se pro the were enjoy really not did he ones only the said he But cases. of types all hear to had has Charles Pollex A. Court Circuit County Adams Pollex Charles A. Judge half. a and year last the in with blessed been had he grandchildren four the with fair.”be listen, hard, “Workreplacement: his offer to advice following the had with. he worked And has he people the to goodbye saying trial. mock for judge and coach a as and Neutrality Gender on Committee Special Court Supreme the on served has George School, Law University practice. UW-MadisonMarquette Aof and graduate private in worked as County,well Dodge as for attorney district assistant and attorney district a County,as and Columbia for counsel corporation as served previously said. he with,” dealings some community.smaller a in especially others, with relationships of terms in requirements the to due said, bench. the to lawyer a being from going in most missed he what was that because were, they kind what of over,regardless them. destroying of intent the with families the from items the purchase to money raised who owners, business Milwaukee of organization an to items the money,released George but raise to off auctioned items the wanted victims Dahmer’s of Families belongings. killer’s serial the with done be should what over dispute the handled also George brain. Dahmer’s “I’m going to miss the routine of getting up and going to going and up getting of routine the miss to going “I’m the to Adams elected first was Pollex the had have to proud very am “I Judge in County,Court judge Adams Circuit only the As time spend to planned he said George retirement, his In be will leaving of part difficult most the said George had He 1991. in bench the to elected first was George had haven’t you who people few are there years 24 “After George alienating, become can judge a being of job The presided he trials jury the enjoyed always he said George RETIREMENT RETIREMENT continued from page 23 page from continued Judge Charles A. Pollex Charles A. Judge administrator on Dec. 7, 1992. Prior to coming to coming to Prior 1992. 7, Dec. on administrator Ten.District for as well TwoDistrict as the post, for underway is Recruiting Owens. District Five Court Administrator Five District Richardson Gail team. bike mountain developing a for coach assistant an be to going was he Wrightsaid fatigue.” “compassion avoid and grounded stay to order in bench the off life Yackel,active an maintain to practice. private in worked and defender public state assistant an as served previously had He School. Law UW from degree law his and College Luther from degree bachelor’s his Wrightreceived L. Yackel.Norman Judge retiring outcome. positive a offered they because job the of part enjoyable most the be to adoptions over funding. program court drug for county,advocated the and in Committee Coordinating Justice Criminal applied. be should resources limited their where decide to trying left are courts and funding, current the under do can courts the enough not is there believes he said He offenders. criminal with dealing of systems new create system’sto court efforts the for challenge a posed have restrictions legislative significant years, six last the over WrightCourt. said Circuit County Sawyer the on term one serving after spring this re-election seek not Court Circuit County Sawyer Wright L. Gerald Judge family,”said. Pollex Richardson began work as the District Five court Five District the as work began Richardson While he said he had no immediate plans for retirement, for plans immediate no had he said he While successor,his Wright advises Yackel’s M. John Judge son replace to 2009 in elected Wrightwas presiding found has he Wrightsaid a establishing in instrumental Wrightterm, was his During WrightL. did Gerald Judge Court Circuit County Sawyer my with time more spend to able being to forward look “I current District TwoDistrict current Court Theresa Administrator effective Feb. 1, 2016 to be replaced in Madison by Madison in replaced be to 2016 1, Feb. effective habits. such for responsibility no accepted Richardson Ohio, in Born often.” and “early voting and politics Illinois about joke the discussing recalled Richardson Courts, the of Illinois Office the Administrative from Coming Court. Circuit County Pekowsky,Dane of Robert Judge then-Chief and Murphy Kathleen Operations) (Court Director then-Deputy Moran, Denis J. Courts State of Director now) (and then- DCAby her position for interviewed initially was She 1991. in Day Election November brisk a on interview job a Wisconsinin for arriving recalls Richardson Richardson plans to retire from the court system court the from retire to plans Richardson Gail Court (DCA) Five Administrator District see Retirements Judge Gerald L. Wright L. Gerald Judge on page 26 page on

THE THIRD BRANCH 2015 Fall 25 26

Fall RETIREMENT continued from page 25 2015 Wisconsin, she worked in Illinois, both in the central court the end of July, after 21 years of service to the Court. Sasso

THE THIRD BRANCH administrative office and in the 19th Judicial Circuit (Lake began working as a judicial assistant for Justice Ann Walsh County). Before that she also worked as a court Bradley on the first day Bradley’s first term, Aug. 1, 1995. administrator in the Third Judicial District in North Carolina Prior to joining the court system, Sasso worked as a legal and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, her first position after secretary and a paralegal in private practice for 22 years. school, starting in 1978. Richardson has an undergraduate She also worked for Congressman Bob Kastenmeier’s degree in history from Ohio University and a Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Civil master’s degree in judicial administration from Liberties and the Administration of Justice in American University in the District of Washington, D.C. In 2006, Sasso was named an Columbia. She became a fellow of the Institute Unsung Hero by the Wisconsin law Journal. of Court Management in 1990. Her “All told, my career spanned 44 years, 9 assignments in District Five covered all areas months, and 27 days,” Sasso said. “I loved of court administration, with a focus on jury working in the law. It was always interesting and management that was recognized in 1996 when challenging, and I will miss that part of it. I will the American Bar Association (ABA) and also miss my boss, Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, National Center for State Courts presented her and my coworkers in the Capitol, who always with an award for her role in implementing the kept me laughing.” ABA Standards Relating to Juror Use and In her retirement, Sasso said she plans to Management in Wisconsin. spend more time with her four grandchildren, “I don’t think I am Sherie Sasso and take some road trips with her husband, unique in saying I did not Steve, who has been patiently waiting for 13 grow up wanting to be a court years for her to join him in retirement. administrator,” said Richardson. “I never even heard of the career until Cindy Kimmons graduate school, but I’m glad I found it, or it found me, as it has been Lincoln County Clerk of Court rewarding and fulfilling. It has Kathleen Buros allowed my curiosity free rein to Vernon County Clerk of Court investigate all aspects of the court Wisconsin will be losing a combined 60 years of system, provided opportunities to experience with the retirements of two veteran clerks of work with colleagues at all levels to circuit court later this year, Cindy Kimmons of Lincoln try new ideas, fed my need to County and Kathleen Buros of Vernon County. Gail Richardson organize everything around me, and Kimmons was appointed to her position in June 1996 and let me meet and work with a wide, elected that fall. As she reflected upon her years of service, wide range of characters in the legal, local and state she noted that what she will miss most is the “in the government fields,” Richardson said. Her work on various trenches” work, made all the more rewarding by the committees throughout the years allowed her to get to know constant support of supportive and knowledgeable staff, and make friends with clerks, judges and commissioners who have been like a second family to her. Her focus has from across the state. been on the people served by her office, be they civil “I value that experience. I can’t say enough good things litigants or criminal defendants. about all the district court administrators and Court Kimmons recalled in particular an incident where a Operations staff I have worked with over the years. I have defendant with mental health issues managed to disrobe never been associated with a more committed, professional, during a hearing and create something of a spectacle atop energetic and productive group of people. The positive role the counsel table. In the telling, such a story could be played by the Consolidated Court Automation Programs played for laughs, but for Kimmons, it brought home the (CCAP) in advancing court system technology cannot be pressing mental health issues that must be continuously overstated. I was very fortunate in my chief judges. Judge addressed by our criminal justice system. In retirement, she Pekowsky, Judge Dan Moeser, Judge Mike Nowakowski, plans on taking the first year to get healthier, travel, and Judge Bill Foust, and now Judge James Daley, have been all enjoy more family time, while also continuing to run the a court administrator could ask for in a chief and I owe pick-your-own strawberry farm she manages with her them my sincere thanks for the respect, support and husband. friendship they offered.” Buros was first elected to the office in 1984. Looking Richardson said she will miss the people of the Wisconsin back upon her career, she noted that one of the high points Court system, but she is “ready for a new chapter in my life. was working with the Vernon County board in 1996-98 to I look forward to hearing about your future successes from completely modernize the courthouse. The overhaul wherever I land.” improved security, storage space, customer service and jury assembly facilities, and proper ADA accommodations to better serve her community. That the dedication of the Sherie Sasso improved facility coincided with Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Judicial Assistant Supreme Court Judicial Assistant Sherie Sasso retired at see Retirements on page 27 27

Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack NEWS AND NOTES continued from page 24 Director of State Courts Fall the need to improve the guardianship system in the state, especially as the baby boomer J. Denis Moran 2015 generation ages and the number of elderly in need of guardianship increases over the next Editor several years. THE THIRD BRANCH Tom Sheehan “There was some recognition around the country that there were weaknesses in guardianship Associate Editor and if true, those problems would only be exacerbated by the quickly growing caseload,” Sara Foster Bissonnette told the paper. The article cites several cases of abuse Contributing Writers Bissonnette had collected documentation of, most involving family Jean Bousquet members in guardianship roles misusing finances. Jeff Brown To help address this concern, Bissonnette has worked to bring together a Hon. Craig R. Day group of elder care stakeholders, with the Working Interdisciplinary Hon. Michael J. Dwyer Sara Foster Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS). Bissonnette first worked Tommy Gubbin to establish the program while working as an executive assistant for Justice Nancy Rottier Shirley S. Abrahamson, and has continued to volunteer for it in his Tom Sheehan retirement. Justin Wolff “We have a lot of guardianships in this state,” Abrahamson is quoted as saying. “The issue is you can always do better. The question is how you

The Third Branch Editorial Advisor can do better.” Hon. Michael J. Rosborough Vernon County Circuit Court La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Elliott M. Levine wrote an article Judge Elliott M. Levine Graphic Design/Layout entitled “Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM) in Wisconsin: A Sara Foster Primer,” for the August issue of Wisconsin Counties magazine. Eau Claire and Milwaukee counties were selected to participate in a nationwide five phase The Third Branch is a EBDM initiative by the National Institute of Corrections. Only five other cities in the country quarterly publication of the were selected to participate in Phase II of the initiative, which involves a planning process for Director of State Courts implementing the framework at the local level. For Phase V, which involves expanding the Office, providing news of framework with cooperation at the state level, Chippewa, La Crosse, Marathon, Outagamie, interest to the Wisconsin Rock, and Waukesha counties were also selected to participate. court system. “In Wisconsin, reform of the criminal justice system has historically originated with local Send questions, comments, innovation and implementation followed by state-level support and development,” Levine and article ideas to: wrote. n Tom Sheehan Court Information Officer P.O. Box 1688 continued from page 26 Madison, WI 53701-1688 RETIREMENT phone Sesquicentennial celebration was a source of to the District (608) 261-6640 great pride to Buros. What she will miss Court e-mail most in her retirement are all the people - Administrator [email protected] staff, county board members, and her for the Tenth fax constituents - that made the job a great Judicial (608) 267-0980 experience. Her primary focus in retirement District this will be to just relax and spend more time fall. She said with her kids and grandkids, kicking it off it had been a with a three month winter road trip adventure pleasure with her family. working in The Wisconsin Clerks of Circuit Court the court Association honored these two extraordinary administration clerks of circuit court at their annual fall office, even conference with certificates of appreciation, through the as well as flags that had been recently flown trying over the state Capitol, contributed by their moments, and representatives in the Legislature. the staff had become like Judith Wolf family to her Lincoln County Clerk of Court Cindy over the Kimmons and Vernon County Clerk of Assistant to the District Court Kathleen Buros retired after a years. But she combined 60 years of service. Court Administrator said it was When Judith Wolf first started working for time for her to move on. the court system on Dec. 19, 1974, court “It was a long haul, but I loved every administration did not exist. She said she minute of it,” Wolf said. came on as part of a pilot project during the In her retirement, Wolf said she plans to court system reorganization, which only travel, spend time with her children, guaranteed her a job for three years. grandchildren, and her 92-year-old father, and Wolf retired from her position as assistant work in the garden. n

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