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The Wisconsin judiciary this summer welcomed sevennew judges. They will serve in Barron, Dane, Eau

Claire, Oneida, Outagamie, and Washington counties. Meetthe new judges:

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The Governor selectedlongtime Court CommissionerTimothy M. Doyle to succeedJudge Edward R. Brunner, whowas elected to the Court ofAppeals in April.

A graduate of DartmouthCollege and the UW LawSchool, Doyle has worked inprivate practice in Rice Lake for33 years. Most recently, he wasa shareholder in the law firm of

Thrasher, Doyle, Pelish & Franti, Ltd.Doyle is a past member of the State Bar Board of

Governors and served as chair of the District 11 committeefor the Office of Lawyer Regulation from 1997-2004. Healso helped to found the Humane Society of Barron County.

Doyle’s wife, Elizabeth, is an English teacher at RiceLake High School. He has three adult children, two adultstepchildren, and one grandchild.

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On June 27, Gov. Jim Doyleappointed Atty. John W.Markson to the Dane CountyCircuit Court. Markson will fillthe Branch 1 vacancy created bythe retirement of Judge RobertA. DeChambeau.

In making the appointment,Doyle said: “John Markson is arespected lawyer in the DaneCounty community. Hisdedication to the people of

Wisconsin and his dedication to justice will make him anasset on the bench.”

Prior to taking the bench, Markson was a shareholder inBell, Gierhart & Moore, which he joined as an associate in1984. Prior to this, he was a partner in Stafford, Rosenbaum,Rieser & Hansen. He began his law career as a law clerk toJustice William G. Callow at the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He is married to wife Diane Rivard and they live inMiddleton. They have two children.

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On June 6, Gov. Jim Doyleappointed Atty. Michael A.Schumacher to the Eau ClaireCounty Circuit Court. Schumachersucceeds Judge Eric J. Wahl, whoserved 14 years before his death in April.

“Michael Schumacher is arespected lawyer in the Eau Clairecommunity,” Doyle said. “Hisdedication to the people of EauClaire County, and all people ofWisconsin, will make him an asseton the bench. He brings great experience and leadership, andI know he will serve well in this judgeship.”

Schumacher, who worked in private practice for 26 yearsprior to taking the bench, said: “I am honored and humbledthat Governor Doyle has put his faith and confidence in meby making this appointment. Over the past 26 years I havehad the pleasure of appearing many times in Branch II before the Honorable William O’Brien and the HonorableEric Wahl. I hope to be as good and as fair a judge as they were.”

Schumacher joined the Eau Claire law firm of Herrick &Hart in 1981, following his graduation from the University ofNebraska Law School. His practice there emphasizedplaintiffs’ personal injury work. He earned his undergraduatedegree from St. Cloud State University and is board certifiedas a civil trial advocate by the National Board of TrialAdvocacy. He is also past president of the Eau Claire CountyBar Association.

Schumacher and his wife, Joan, a veterinarian, live in EauClaire. They have two children; their daughter, Kristen, is arecent college graduate and their son, Bryan, is a student atUW-Madison.

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Gov. Jim Doyle appointedOneida County District Atty.Patrick O’Melia to succeed JudgeRobert E. Kinney, who ended a 31-year career on thebench with his retirement in May.

“Patrick O’Melia will servevery, very well in this judgeship,”Doyle said. “His experience as arespected lawyer, his leadership in

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see New Faces on page 14

Judge Timothy M. Doyle

Judge John W. Markson

Judge Patrick O’Melia

Judge Michael A. Schumacher

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As the state budget works its way through a legislativeconference committee, it’s easy to get caught up in

day-to-day politics and decision-making. Which budget item is in? Which item is out? Who are the winners and the losers?

After each session of the conference committee, we cancheck news reports for the scorecard. But as this processmoves forward, it’s important to keep the big picture inmind and to consider the potential long term effects ofbudget decisions.

What appear now to be isolated decisions coulddramatically affect the future of the state court system, itsemployees, and the delivery of justice in Wisconsin.

We hope the final version ofthe state budget being negotiatedby the conference committeewon’t compound challenges wealready know we’ll face in thefuture. But we’re concerned.

The court system is not uniqueamong public and privateemployers alike in that it willneed to adjust to meet demandspresented by the country’schanging demographics.

The court system, which has arelatively high percentage of

older workers, will have to work hard to remain an“employer of choice.” Our statistics suggest that by 2017,roughly eight in 10 Wisconsin judges will become eligiblefor retirement, compared to about 20 percent of judges whoare now eligible for retirement.

Nationally, some estimates indicate that by 2010 therecould be as many as eight million more jobs available thanemployees. The state will need innovative ways to recruitwell-qualified judicial candidates as well as other courtsystem employees as the population ages, baby boomersretire and the pool of potential recruits shrinks.

Some of these challenges already have begun to revealthemselves. In Outagamie County, only four individuals

applied for two open judgeships. Likewise, during recentefforts to recruit district court administrators we foundourselves re-posting jobs in the search for well-qualifiedcandidates to match the demanding set of job skills.

This scenario will likely repeat itself as we experiencelarge turnover during the next five to 10 years. Many long-time employees will retire, taking with them years ofinstitutional knowledge.

Our human resource policies have promoted the courtsystem as a great place to work, and we will have to work atmaintaining our reputation. We’ll need to ensure that oursalaries and compensation packages are competitive.

But we’ll also need to be innovative, and we’ve beguntaking steps in that direction. We’re doing more workforceplanning for the court system, such as encouragingprofessional development so employees are prepared to stepup to new court system opportunities that may arise as thenature of our workforce changes.

We will likely need to accommodate varied workschedules and find ways to encourage retirees from thecourt system to return to work on a part-time basis. We will need to identify ways to help new employeessuccessfully make the transition into their new positions byensuring job processes are well documented.

In other words, we need to do everything we can toprepare for a challenging future. Unfortunately, some oftoday’s budget proposals could take away some of the toolswe need to address this challenge.

One version of the budget proposes cutting back thenumber of sick days offered to new employees and reducing take-home pay by increasing employee healthinsurance payments and retirement contributions. And sicktime benefits could be eliminated altogether for judges. At a time when we need to step forward in attractingindividuals to public service, these proposals wouldrepresent a step backward.

While none of these decisions considered individuallymay seem dramatic to some people today, the cumulative,long term effect could hamper the state court system of the future. ¢

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In June, Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson convened ameeting of leaders from across the state to address the

challenging issues facing the courts, the child welfaresystem, and tribal governments in working with vulnerablechildren and families involved in the foster care system.

The Wisconsin Commission on Children, Families andthe Courts is a 20-person group charged with developingand institutionalizing meaningful collaboration acrosssystems to identify and address barriers to safety,permanency, and the well-being of children and families.The perspectives of judicial officers and administrators,juvenile clerks, tribes, county and state social services

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see CCIP on page 9

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson and Dane County CircuitCourt Judge Shelley Gaylord address the first meeting of theCommission on Children, Families, and the Courts.

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Anew Dane County diversion program aims to lower the recidivism rate among high-risk drug

abusing offenders. The Dane County Day Report and Treatment Program is

a bail monitoring program for individuals with drug oralcohol problems – and also, in the case of many, metalhealth issues. It’s an initiative of the Dane County CriminalJustice Group, which meets once a month to assess theneeds of the criminal justice system. Overseeing DART is asubcommittee that includes members from the courts, lawenforcement and the Dane County Department of HumanServices.

“We can take a high-risk defendant who’s in danger ofre-offending and continuing to re-offend and get that personsome stability in his life, some supervision and sometreatment to prevent that long term revolving-doorrecidivism,” said longtime Dane County Circuit CourtCommissioner Todd Meurer, who has been the keyorganizer.

“The program is directed toward people that might be athigher risk than most diversion programs may normallytake,” Meurer added. “We thought that if we wanted to tryand serve that higher-risk population, we’d have to providea higher level of services, including treatment for underlyingconditions.”

Meurer is the only court official currently able to referoffenders to DART. Candidates must be 18 years or older,alcohol or drug dependent, and incarcerated in the DaneCounty Jail. DART is for offenders who are unable to makecash bail. “This is not designed for a person who wouldnormally be getting out anyway,” Meurer said.

Two treatment optionsDART offers out-patient and

residential treatment. Out-patientparticipants are referred to theMental Health Center of DaneCounty. Participants are monitoredby a case manager daily ifnecessary and are subject torandom drug and alcohol testing.Electronic monitoring may also beused.

Residential participants arereferred to Hope Haven-RebosUnited, Inc. and are offeredindividualized treatment and casemanagement plans. Ultimately,successful participants aretransitioned to post-plea or post-conviction diversion program.

Celebrating occasional successDespite criminal risk assessments and screening,

participants in DART are high-risk – and that meansorganizers have to anticipate only occasional success. “The first guy we released (in mid July) didn’t make it,”Meurer said. “He didn’t show up for any of his scheduledmeetings. There’s a warrant out for his arrest.”

But Meurer remains optimistic. “Obviously our successrate may not be as good as programs that can deal with aneasier, lower-risk defendant. We’re hoping to make up forthat difference with a bit more community supervision andgetting them appropriate treatment.”

Funding DARTFor now, DART remains a limited program. The main

funding comes from the Wisconsin Treatment Alternativesand Diversion program discretionary grant, which is acollaborative grant from the Wisconsin Office of JusticeAssistance, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, andthe Wisconsin Department of Health and Human Services. The $180,000 three-year grant is “relatively small,” Meurersaid, “so we need to keep the numbers down.” DART alsocharges a fee to participants who are able to pay.

Meurer said that the idea for DART has been around forabout seven to eight years; however, the grant wasn’testablished until two years ago. “This is our way of trying to address an unmet need,” he said, “and we have been very fortunate to have the active support of the past chiefjudge, Mike Nowakowski, and the current chief judge, Bill Foust.” Ï

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The Dane County Courthouse, where Court Commissioner Todd Meurer and JudgesMichael N. Nowakowski and C. William Foust, among others, have organized the DARTprogram.

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On June 19, more than 60 Wisconsin judges, attorneys,court commissioners, clerks of court, registers in

probate, academics, and concerned community membersattended the first-ever Statewide Conference on Self-Representation to discuss how to improve services to peoplewho represent themselves in court. Participants came awayenergized with new ideas for serving pro se litigants.

“What is necessary in every community is an effort toeducate the self represented in both court procedure anddecisional process,” said Judge Eugene D. Harrington,Washburn County Circuit Court. “Self represented need toknow what evidence is necessary when they come to court[and] need to have some understanding as to the judge’sprocess for making a decision. Without that information,[they] will continue to flounder and be frustrated with theircourt experience.”

The day-long conference, held in Wausau, was organizedby the chairs of the District 9 and District 10 committees onself-represented litigants: Deputy Chief Judge Gary L.Carlson, Taylor County Circuit Court; Clerks of CourtKaren Hepfler, Chippewa County, and Diane Sennholz,Marathon County; District 10 Court Administrator GreggMoore; and me. I coordinate statewide pro se projects asexecutive assistant to Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson.

An outgrowth of last June’s first-ever joint meeting ofthe Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts in Chippewa Falls,this conference offered sessions on how to build thenecessary infrastructure for supporting sustainable court-based pro se programming; available resources for program development; and various Wisconsin-based

model programs. A highlight of the

day was the keynoteaddress delivered byJudge Kevin S. Burke,who serves on thedistrict court inHennepin County,Minnesota. Heoffered practice tips tocourt commissionersand judges, whichincluded making eyecontact and activelistening, using plainlanguage and treatingpeople as if they werecustomers.

“If people have asense that there wasprocedural fairness,they are much morelikely to complywith court orders,”Burke noted. ÷

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by Ann Zimmerman, pro se coordinator

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“I thought that thepresentations by thespeakers had a commontheme – urging us, as court managers and judges,to improve our customer-service orientation in our courthouses….

It is incumbent upon us to effectively listen andrespond to the needs of those who use ourservices.”

Clerk of Circuit Court Carlo Esqueda Dane County

“The most valuableobservation that I have is that court officials must look outside the boxoccasionally for solutions.What works in one community is not possible in others for many reasons.”

Judge Eugene D. HarringtonWashburn County

“Judge Kevin Burke …helped me to see thechallenges presented byself-represented litigants ina positive way, rather than anegative one. He noted thatself-represented litigants,like all litigants, deserve

three things from the courts: to be listened to andheard, to be treated with respect, and to be givenunderstandable reasons for any decision made bythe court. He argued that doing these things withself-represented litigants would significantlyincrease their compliance with court orders. Whenframed this way, addressing the challengespresented by self-represented litigants is not justan annoying problem to solve, but rather it is anintegral part of doing our jobs well.”

Judge Michael J. DwyerMilwaukee County

Judge Kevin S. Burke of Hennepin County, Minnesota,explains to participants in the Statewide Conference onSelf-Representation that treating pro se litigants withrespect, taking the time to listen, and explaining decisionsin an understandable way will help improve compliancewith court orders.

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Understanding complex scientific evidence can be achallenge for everyonein court –including the judge. Inrecognitionof this fact,Congress in 2005mandatedscience

and technology training for judgesthrough the U.S. Department of Justice.

The training program, TheAdvanced Science & TechnologyResource Program aims to educateand certify a small group of judgesin every state to “go to work whenevidence-related new issues

pressure case management…” The certified judges also areexpected to teach at judicial-education programs.

This summer, three Wisconsin judges – selected byChief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson – took part in thetraining program. Judges Daniel P. Anderson, Court ofAppeals, District II; Mark J. McGinnis, Outagamie County;

and Dale T. Pasell, La Crosse County, reported that thetraining was very worthwhile.

The judges brought back new methods for managingevidence in the trial courts, and resources for helpingappellate judges to understand the record in cases involvingcomplex scientific evidence. They will now help to designjudicial education programs here in Wisconsin to share their knowledge.

A�0�')8:% (�,�')B�,�4�C�'D% +�EGFH,�?�I�43% .14�+Justice Ann Walsh Bradley traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan

this summer to meet withmembers of the Supreme Courtof Azerbaijan and participate ina seminar for local attorneys. Bradley was invited by theInternational FinanceCorporation (IFC), which helpsdeveloping nations to buildstrong economies. Part of IFC’smission is to mobilize advisorsfrom across the globe to sharetheir expertise.

Her visit made the frontpage of the nation’s largestEnglish language newspaper,where participants in the seminar expressed their gratitude.“I am amazed,” said one participant, “at the wonderfulthings that come out of Wausau!” J

Judge Daniel P. Anderson

WISCONSIN CONNECTS

Judge Mark J. McGinnis

Judge Dale P. PasellJustice Ann Walsh Bradley talks with one memberof the group of attorneys from Azerbaijan withwhom she met this summer.

VideoconferencingThe Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC)

Videoconferencing Subcommittee, chaired by JudgeWilliam M. McMonigal, presented its final report at theMay PPAC meeting. The report included a draft ruleproposal that provides guidance to foster appropriate use ofvideoconferencing in court proceedings.

The subcommittee was a multi-disciplinary group thatincluded judges, public defenders, a district attorney, adistrict court administrator, and others who had manyvarying views on the best way to move forward withvideoconferencing guidance for the courts.

The final proposal is the result of nearly two years ofwork and compromise. The subcommittee was able todevelop a proposal that encourages videoconferencing usewithout forfeiting constitutional rights. The proposal isintended to provide minimum standards to judges forexpanded use but still reserves their unilateral prerogative todeny its use in a given case. PPAC voted to accept theproposal carry it forward through the Supreme Court rulepetition process.

Court securityIn response to courthouse security being identified as a

top priority in the current “Critical Issues” plan, PPACvoted to organize a new subcommittee to address this topic.This subcommittee, chaired by Judges Michael O. Bohrenand Judge Sarah B. O’Brien, will begin by reviewing SCR70.39, examining how well these standards have worked todate, and determining whether they should be updated ormodified to strengthen the local process so securityupgrades keep in line with evolving security challenges.

PlanningPPAC and its Planning Subcommittee are gathering

information for the next two-year operational planningcycle. Also under discussion is the possibility of revisitingand developing a new long-range strategic plan for the courtsystem, an update the 1994 “Framework for Action.” PPAC Planning develop two-year operational plansemphasizing current priorities. The Planning Subcommittee

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see PPAC on page 6

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It’s a busy Monday morning in May, and Chief Judge Kitty K. Brennan isfielding tough questions from a group that has gathered in the sixth floor

conference room. The group includes politicians, journalists, county employees,business leaders, judges, and court staff – and the topics range from federal cutsto child-support enforcement (“that’s going to hit us this fall,” Brennan tells thegroup) to the location of Milwaukee Children’s Court (“it’s horrible”) to the needfor more and better effective justice strategies.

The wide-ranging discussion occasionally focuses on pet peeves. “Yourcalendars are very inefficient,” says one participant. “In federal court, if you have

a hearing at 9, it starts at 9 – andyou’re out of there by 9:30. Here, itmight start at 11.”

The Chief Judge explains thatcourt calendars often are driven bythe lawyers’ schedules, and can beupended any number of ways. “Thevarious players – the district attorney, the public defender, thesheriff, the courts – are allinterrelated,” she explains.

This is the start of anotherBusiness of the Courts session inMilwaukee County. Between thequestions, Brennan works in anorientation to the courts –supplemented with a packet ofinformation that Deputy District

Court Administrator Beth Bishop Perrigo has developed – and Judicial ReviewCoordinator Holly Szablewski talks about pre-trial diversion and treatmentalternatives, a topic of intense interest to all participants.

This is the First Judicial District Business of the Courts program, an initiativethat aims to improve communication and understanding between the courts andtheir many constituencies. Among today’s participants are Milwaukee JournalSentinel Investigative Reporter Gina Barton; Northwestern Mutual Vice Presidentand General Counsel Robert Berdan; Deborah Donaldson, a communitycolumnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Rep. Mark R. Honadel (R-SouthMilwaukee), who serves as majority caucus chair in the state Assembly; FiserveVice President David Irwin; and Harold Mester, a former news radio reporter whois now public information manager for the Milwaukee County Board.

Following the orientation/question-and-answer session, the participants aregiven a tour that includes a glimpse of the standing-room-only crowd of pro selitigants awaiting their hearings in small claims court. The District Attorney’sOffice tour leads the visitors past crowded holding cells and domestic violencecharging conferences, and a stop in intake court and preliminary hearing courtshows Court Commissioners David Sweet and Barry Slagle in the trenches.

The participants spend the balance of the morning ‘riding along’ with variouscourt officials. Barton, the reporter, is sent to felony court, where she watchessentencing hearings and then meets with Judge M. Joseph Donald to discuss someof the complex issues the criminal justice system is facing. After the group reconvenes – this time with about a dozen judges – for furtherdiscussion and lunch, Brennan thanks the participants for taking the time to visitthe courthouse. Each of them, in a moment that underscores the value of theprogram, shares last thoughts about what they’ll take away from the experience. “Breaking away for half a day is pretty difficult,” says one, “and I had no ideahow worthwhile it would be. But this was the most interesting, thought-provokingexperience I’ve had in a long time.” Z

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is currently researchingvarious long-range planningprocesses and will make arecommendation to PPAC, the director of state courts,and the Supreme Court onhow best to approach long-range planning in coordinationwith our short-termprioritization process.

Effective justicestrategies

Judge Carl Ashley, chair ofthe Effective Justice StrategiesSubcommittee (EJSS) reportedthat members of the EJSS are currently working inpartnership with theSentencing Commission ondeveloping a database ofjustice programming andpractices occurring throughoutthe state, including but notlimited to court systemprograms (i.e. day report,electronic monitoring,treatment courts, community service programs).Much of the information to beincluded in is this databasestarted with promisingpractices being reported to theChief Justice throughout her72-county tour. Z

Questions about PPAC and itssubcommittees may bedirected to Erin Slattengren aterin.slattengren@wicourts.govor (608) 266-8861.

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Gina Barton, an investigative reporter for the Milwaukee JournalSentinel, joins Judge M. Joseph Donald on the bench as part ofthe First Judicial District’s Business of the Courts program.

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Apilot program in Rock County, modeled on successful efforts in Illinois and Florida, is working to

keep custody exchanges peaceful for parents under no-contact orders.

Rock County judges started issuing orders specifyingexchange at the Neutral Exchange Site (NEST), located at alocal health-care facility, on June 15. Rock County JudgeJames P. Daley said his colleagues are supportive. “This isanother tool for the mediation process,” he said. “All of thejudges are behind this.”

The program’s first monitored exchange occurred July 13and was “awesome,” according to Program Coordinator RitaCostrini-Norgal. “We’ve now finished the creation on paper,and we’re actually building the project,” she said.

The idea of monitored exchange is not new for Costrini-Norgal. A 15-year mediation veteran, Costrini-Norgal saidthe idea surfaced 10 years ago when parents who “pressedeach other’s buttons” despite no-contact orders expressedthe need for a formalized exchange program. “I kept it in theback of my head, but I haven’t been able to organize thisuntil this year,” she said.

During that time, Illinois and Florida mandatedmonitored exchange, and the University of Floridaconducted a three-year study that provided information andadvice for implementing these programs. Costrini-Nogralsaid she used both states as models for NEST.

Procedures ensure no contactCostrini-Norgal said NEST’s target group is small, “but

it’s the group that needs it.” The program’s proceduresensure no parental contact during a custody exchange. Thereceiving parent arrives 15 minutes before the scheduledexchange. The parent is screened by two volunteer monitorsand a Rock County Sheriff’s Department deputy forintoxication, a valid driver’s license, and, if necessary, a car seat.

At a separate entrance, the drop-off parent arrives withthe child at the scheduled exchange time. The monitorsescort the child from the drop-off entrance to the otherentrance where the receiving parent waits. The receivingparent and child leave while the drop-off parent stays for 15minutes to ensure the other parent and child are gone. Onlythose with scheduled exchanges are permitted to be present;friends and other family members are prohibited.

No more McDonald’s exchangesIf the exchange is successful, the parents do not even see

each other – but controlling interactions between the adultsis not the only benefit to the supervised transfers. The recordof the exchanges, including who is late, who is unpreparedand who does everything right, can be used by judges inlater custody decisions.

Daley described the program as “win-win.” He saidjudges often order custody exchanges at a public place, suchas a local McDonald’s restaurant, “[but] too often … oneparent is saying the other was late or didn’t show,” he said.“With [NEST], the kids get transferred and you’ve taken out

of the equation fear of violence.”County businesses are equally pleased. “I’ve heard thank

you, thank you from businesses because they’re tired ofbeing the war zone,” Costrini-Norgal said.

The key ingredientsTwo key ingredients – community support and a

committed program coordinator – have been vital for NEST. The hospital that serves as the Janesville exchange sitedonated use of space throughout Rock County, though somecommunities may choose to use other facilities. Costrini-Norgal said it is important to keep the exact location of thesites private to prevent exchanges from becoming “unruly.” Costrini-Norgal is a tireless program coordinator who hastaken on this project as a volunteer. She is director of RockCounty Mediation and Family Court Services and said shenow has the equivalent of two full-time jobs.

“Rita’s done the [heavy lifting],” Daley said. “She’s been really tireless once we sat down and said‘let’s do this.’”

The exchange monitors are also volunteers, andNEST is in the process of recruiting. “My goal is tohave the same volunteers on the Friday exchange as theSunday exchange so the same team stays with afamily,” Costrini-Norgal said.

Support from law enforcementBecause domestic disturbances can be dangerous,

high-stress, unpredictable situations for police, NEST hassupport of law enforcement. Although it is currently limited to Janesville, NEST may expand to Beloit as theclient base widens.

Beloit Police Department Chief Sam Lathrop said hesupports the program. “I told [Costrini-Norgal] to let usknow, include us, let us participate when she’s ready toexpand,” he said. “Many exchange meetings are done in thelobby of the police department, and the only staff availableare records department staff and non-sworn personnel. Acouple of parents are not warm and fuzzy, and staff areforced to be referees.”

Lathrop said NEST could reduce the number of domesticcalls on Fridays and Sundays, the days custody exchangesgenerally occur. “We [frequently] respond to child custodyissues, which are more frequent when divorces arepending,” he said.

Lathrop said an important element of NEST is the third-party witness to the exchange with no connection to thesituation. “Just somebody there – that will reduce conflict,”he said. “Who misbehaves when they’re being observed?”

Program costsIn Janesville, Rock County sheriff’s deputies attend

NEST exchanges. Costrini-Norgal said she would like to useretired police officers; however, they would need to be paid.In Beloit, Lathrop said he has asked officers to volunteer.

�����3� �����@���������9�����������������7�@����� �������9������� �p�����9���g���������by Sandra M. Knisely, court information intern

Judge James P. Daley

see NEST on page 11

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Milwaukee Municipal Court Judge James Gramling, who stepped down on April 30 after 21 years on the bench,was honored this spring for his dedication to municipaljudge education.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson presented Gramlingwith a plaque during the Municipal Judge Traffic Seminar inLake Geneva.

Gramling is a longtime active participant in judicialeducation events, and also has served on the faculty atofferings such as the annual Justice Teaching Institute forhigh school teachers.

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Arcadia Municipal Judge David R. Hesch has beennamed 2007 Judge of the Year by the Wisconsin MunicipalJudges Association.

Hesch has been on the bench for 11 years. In that time,he has developed a community service program and,according to Trempealeau County Circuit Court Judge JohnA. Damon, has had a remarkable impact on youngoffenders. “Judge Hesch’s philosophy is to present themwith someone who actually does care,” Damon said.

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Town of Grand Chute Municipal Court Judge James R.Larson was honored with the Municipal Judges AssociationJurist Lifetime Achievement Award in July.

Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Mark J.McGinnis summed up the qualities that make Larson an

extraordinary judge: “He treats all attorneys, parties,witnesses, and staff with respect. He handles a very busycaseload with passion and effectiveness, [and] he considerseach case with an open mind and a complete understandingof the law,” McGinnis said.

Larson has been a municipal court judge since 1974. Ç

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Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson presents JudgeJames Gramling with a plaque recognizing his strongcommitment to municipal judge education.

Arcadia Municipal Judge David R. Hesch accepts theMunicipal Judges Association Judge of the Year awardfrom Justice Louis B. Butler Jr. at a July luncheon in Racine. Butler served for a decade on the MilwaukeeMunicipal Court.

Town of Grand Chute Municipal Judge James R.Larson takes the podium after receiving theMunicipal Judges Association Jurist LifetimeAchievement Award in July.

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Six retired Wisconsin judges are serving the state in anew capacity as the first members of the Government

Accountability Board (GAB), which will replace the stateElections Board and Ethics Board. The WisconsinLegislature earlier this summer confirmed all six to the new board.

The GAB is unique in the country; no other state has aboard of this type whose members are all judges.

“The goal was to eliminate even the appearance ofpolitical partisanship from decisions related to elections andethics,” said Chief Judge Tom Cane, who began his serviceon the GAB following his July 31 retirement from the Court of Appeals. “I believe the Legislature’s strong support is an important vote of confidence in our impartialstate judiciary.”

The new members are:

ÑJudge Michael W. Brennan, who served on the ClarkCounty Circuit Court from 1971-2001. His term on theGAB ends May 1, 2014.

ÑChief Judge Thomas Cane, who served on theWisconsin Court of Appeals from 1981-2007 and on theOutagamie County Circuit Court from 1972-1981. Histerm on the GAB ends May 1, 2013.

ÑJudge David G. Deininger, who served on theWisconsin Court of Appeals from 1996-2007 and on theGreen County Circuit Court from 1994-1996. His termon the GAB ends May 1, 2009.

ÑJudge William Eich, who served on the WisconsinCourt of Appeals from 1985-2000 and on the DaneCounty Circuit Court from 1975-1985. His term on theGAB ends May 1, 2010.

ÑJudge James B. Mohr, who served on the Vilas CountyCircuit Court from 1983-2004. His term on the GABends May 1, 2011.

ÑJudge Gerald C. Nichol, who served on the DaneCounty Circuit Court from 1988-2004. His term on theGAB ends May 1, 2012. Ò

professionals, attorneys, foster parents, and court appointedspecial advocates are represented.

“This is a unique and significant endeavor that requiresleadership from all facets of the legal, judicial, tribal andchild-welfare communities. We must work together acrossgovernments and cultures to start looking at our systemsthough the eyes of children,” Abrahamson said.

The Commission will also advise the Director of StateCourts Office in its capacity as the recipient of federalChildren’s Court Improvement Program (CCIP) funding.CCIP is a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services to the highest state court of appeal to

improve the handling of cases involving children in need ofprotection or services, termination of parental rights, andadoption in the court system.

Abrahamson will serve as the Commission’s chair, withJudge Shelley Gaylord, Dane County Circuit Court, servingas vice chair. Other court system representatives includeJudge Mary Triggiano, Milwaukee County; Judge John P.Hoffmann, Waupaca County; Court Commissioner SandraMarcus, Marathon County; District Court AdministratorPatrick Brummond, Seventh Judicial District; and JuvenileClerk Ericka Nelson, St. Croix County. Ò

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Judge James B. Mohr Judge Gerald C. Nichol

Judge Michael W. Brennan

Judge Thomas Cane

Judge David G. Deininger Judge William Eich

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After a multi-facetedcareer that includedhigh profile trials,mentoring courtreporters, and workingfor three chief judges,Kris Jacobi retired May29 as managing courtreporter in District 1.

Court reporters,judges, retired judges,commissioners, courtstaff, and bailiffscrowded into the ChiefJudge’s conference

room to celebrate Jacobi’s successful career and manycontributions to the court system. Former Chief JudgeMichael J. Skwierawski, for whom Jacobi was an officialreporter during her entire career with the courts, presentedher with a plaque from the justices of the WisconsinSupreme Court.

As a member of the Making the Record Committee,Jacobi will continue to share her expertise as the courtsystem moves forward in an era that will unfortunately see acontinued shortage of court reporters.

“It’s important to know that while Kris is an exceptionalresource on court reporting issues in the state, she has alsobeen a valuable advocate for court reporters in Milwaukee,”said District Court Administrator Bruce Harvey. “Kris hasalso played a valuable role as an administrator in the

RETIREMENTS

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After 26 years on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (nine ofthem as chief judge) and another nine years as a circuit courtjudge in Outagamie County, Chief Judge Thomas Cane wasfeted at a celebration in downtown Madison. Among theattendees were (at right) Judge Neal P. Nettesheim.

Justice Jon P. Wilcox attempts to clarify the record as a gleefulChief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson takes full advantage of anopportunity to tell stories. Wilcox retired on July 31 after 15 yearson the Wisconsin Supreme Court and an additional 13 years onthe circuit court bench in Waushara County.

Justice Jon P. Wilcox’s retirement party brought in hundreds of well-wishers. Posing with Wilcox (left) are: Supreme CourtCommissioner Nancy Kopp, retired Justice William A. Bablitch, and retired Justice William Callow.

Kris Jacobi accepts a plaque for heryears of service as the District 1managing court reporter.

see Retirements on page 11

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Milwaukee County courts, working with other managers onsystem-wide issues.”

Succeeding Jacobi is Michelle Smith, who has servedDistrict 1 in the Office of the Managing Court Reporter formore than eight years.

“Michelle brings an exceptionally strong set of skills andknowledge from her years in District 1,” Harvey said. “Shealso has experience in the courts through her work at TheJustice Management Institute in Denver, the DistrictAttorney’s Office in Milwaukee and the Judicial OversightInitiative. We are exceptionally fortunate that she acceptedthis position so her leadership and service in the system willcontinue.”

9;:�<�=?>A@�B"C DFEHG�=�I�J!I"K#K�>�:LK :�M�N�>OC PQISR;TVU&@Columbia County Register in Probate Joan Maxwell,

who served the courts for 37 years, and Milwaukee CountyRegister in Probate Robert R. Knoll, who served for 35years, retired this spring and summer.

Maxwell became Portage’s first part-time deputy registerin probate 1970. She was appointed to the post full-time in1974. Throughout her career, Maxwell has been active in theRegisters in Probate Association.

Robert R. Knoll was only the tenth register in probate inMilwaukee County since the state Legislature established

the Office of Register in Probate in 1880. He began workingin the office in 1971 and became register in probate in 1974.

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After 24 years as the RichlandCounty clerk of circuit court andfour years as deputy clerk beforethat, Ann Robinson retired in earlyJuly. Stacy Kleist was appointed toreplace her.

“One of my fondest memoriesis working with Judge [Kent]Houck and Judge [Edward]Leineweber,” Robinson said. TheRichland County office is small,with only Robinson and two other full-time employees.“We’ve raised our families together,” Robinson said. Shedescribed her colleagues as family and said the people willbe what she misses most about the job.

Robinson had no legal experience before beginning asDeputy Clerk. She was working as a typesetter for theRichland Observer when the position opened, and shelearned on the job. When the clerk of court passed away inFebruary 1983, Robinson was appointed. She faced acontested election only once.

A Menominee native, Robinson said she will continue tolive in the Richland Center area with her husband, withwhom she plans on touring Florida and other southern statesduring the winter.

Leineweber praised Robinson for her 28 years of service.“Ann has served the people of Richland County admirablyover a long career in public office and I wish her well in arichly deserved retirement.” b

Special thanks to the following for their contributions to theRetirements section: Deputy District Court Administrator Beth Bishop Perrigo, Milwaukee; RIP Association PresidentJody J. Bartels, Grant County; Court Information InternSandra M. Knisely.

Stacy Kleist

Chief Judge Kitty R. Brennan presents Robert Knoll with aplaque commemorating 35 years of service.

RETIREMENTS continued from page 10

“Our officers would be off-duty. It would just be somebodyto have a watchful eye,” he said.

Costrini-Norgal said she would like to raise funds so thecost of the deputies wouldn’t have an impact on the countybudget. “I don’t want this to be on the tax dollar,” she said.“I think this can succeed on a low budget.”

NEST does not charge its users. Other states, such asFlorida, charge either one or both parent a fee for monitoredexchanges, but Costrini-Norgal said Rock County judgesdecided finances should not determine who uses NEST.

Daley said the first goal is to serve all residents whomeet the program criteria, meaning that there has been past violence between the parents. In the future, NEST maybe expanded to other parents. Costrini-Norgal said onefuture use of NEST could be to help reunite families ofprison inmates.

For now, NEST is expanding slowly “so we do this theright way,” according to Costrini-Norgal. “I’m very excitedabout this program. The support of the community has beenvery heartwarming.” b

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Project Fresh Light, a Wisconsin organization that workswith adolescent drug addicts and their families, reported ona new ‘report card’ project in Kenosha County’s juvenile

court. The project is an offshootof a national effort to helpjuvenile justice systems assesstheir impact and report to thecommunity. Deputy Chief JudgeMary K. Wagnerled the effort toestablish a systemfor issuing reportcards letting thepublic know howthe juvenile

justice system is protecting communities,holding offenders accountable, and helpingoffenders to develop useful skills. KenoshaCounty produced its first report card in May2006, disseminating the results of a study of651 cases in a simple, easy-to-read brochure.Wagner and Mary Beier, director of JuvenileIntake Services, reported that the project isvaluable not only as a communications toolbut also for system management.

The Marathon County Courthouse hosteda portrait-hanging ceremony on June 22,courtesy of the Marathon County BarAssociation. Six judge portraits were hung,including former Judges Joe Kucerick (now deceased),Daniel LaRocque, and John Stevens. Three of the judgeswhose portraits were hung – Justice Ann Walsh Bradley

and Judges Raymond F. Thums and Michael W. Hoover –attended the ceremony.

For a third year, Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamsonwas a featured presenter in the 2007 Intern ProfessionalSpeaker Program. The program is a unique opportunity forsummer interns from the executive, legislative and judicialbranches of state government to engage in small groupdiscussions with top elected officials. The Intern

Speaker Program is hosted by the Wisconsin Women’sCouncil, Office of Governor Jim Doyle, and Office ofSenator Herb Kohl.

“She thinks jury duty is a waste of time” was theheadline on a guest column in the July 31 edition of The[Racine] Journal Times. Jayne Siler complained that shehad been called for jury duty and “wasted an entire,beautiful, sunny, summer afternoon waiting on 13 peoplewith felonies attached to their names try to make decisionsabout their own fate.

“I can just picture the lawyers, district attorneys, and thejudge all trying to educate these individuals about how thecourt works, the charges against them, and trying topersuade them to pick a certain option,” Siler wrote. “Whatthey leave out of the picture is the 54 people sitting andwaiting doing nothing while this circus goes on.” Silerwrapped up by suggesting that jail inmates be brought in toserve as jurors.

“More communities pass offender laws,” a story in theJuly 27 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, saysordinances limiting where sex offenders may live arepopping up across the state. The ordinances generally blockregistered sex offenders from living within a certain distance

Deputy Chief JudgeMary K. Wagner

see People on page 13

Posing with their portraits at a hanging ceremony in MarathonCounty are judges representing all three levels of court. Fromleft, Judge Raymond F. Thums, who served on the bench inMarathon County from 1988-2003; Judge Michael W. Hoover, amember of the District III Court of Appeals who served on theMarathon County Circuit Court from 1988-97; and Justice AnnWalsh Bradley, who served in Marathon County from 1985-95,prior to her election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson poses with the first group of stategovernment interns to whom she spoke this summer. The Chief gavepresentations and answered questions from dozens of interns as part of aWisconsin Women’s Council program.

Photo credit: Wisconsin Women’s Council

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– usually 1,000 to 2,000 feet – of schools, parks,pools, movie theaters, and other places where childrenmay congregate. According to the article,municipalities that recently have passed ordinances orare considering them are: Algoma, Bayside, Cudahy,Franklin, Glendale, Green Bay, Little Chute,Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Racine,South Milwaukee, and West Allis. Waukesha andTown of Brookfield officials have begun researchingthe issue, and Green Bay has made about 93 percent

of the city off-limits. “Retired judges help

keep the wheels of justicein motion” headlined anarticle in the June 28edition of the La CrosseTribune. The article quotedReserve Judge John J.Perlich, who returned as areserve judge shortly afterhis November 2006 retirement.Perlich said he is pleased to bein a position to help out, and

values the contact with the legal community. “You cannotwalk away from the job you did for 21 years and people youdid it with for 21 years and not miss it,” he said.

Reserve Judge Robert W. Radcliffe, who served inJackson County from 1984-2002, offered a slightly different

perspective. “I enjoy beinginvolved with the judicialsystem again and keepingmyself up to date on thechanges in the law as it affectsthe court system,” he said. “I’dmuch rather be driving mytractor or working in my gardenor hunting, but I enjoy fillingin.”

“Chief Justice Shirley S.Abrahamson has madeheadlines across the state this

summer as she continues the 72-county trek she began inFebruary 2006. Coverage in the Door County Advocate ofher August visit to Sturgeon Bay led with this observation:“She’s a petite woman with a large presence, partly due to ano-nonsense demeanor, a keen sense of humor and a nativeNew York accent that hasn’t been homogenized by her yearsin Wisconsin.” The reporter eventually did recount thesubstance of the roundtable discussion that included formerJustice Janine P. Geske, Judge Peter Diltz, Sheriff TerryVogel, County Board Chair Charlie Most, and others.

During her stop in Appleton, the Chief Justice tookquestions about judicial elections, campaign contributions,

and maintaining independence. “A judge does not go on thebench with strings, and is not a puppet for anyone,”Abrahamson said. “And it has to be kept that way.”

The Janesville Gazette headlined an August 11 articlewith this provocative question: “Is the jail a debtor’sprison?” The Gazette reported that 21 of the 550 inmatesincarcerated at the Rock County jail on August 3 were therebecause of unpaid fines. Sheriff Bob Spoden expressedconcern: “Far too often,” he was quoted as saying, “we lockup people who aren’t dangerous but perhaps irresponsible.”Spoden said he and Rock County Presiding Judge JamesDaley may ask the county’s criminal justice coordinatingcouncil to organize a weekend work program that would letoffenders work off fines through community service. |

PEOPLE continued from page 12

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson tours the Kenosha CountyCourthouse as she continues the 72-county tour commenced inFebruary 2006. By the end of summer, she intends to visit 10 morecounties.

Reserve Judge John J. Perlich

Reserve Judge Robert W. Radcliffe

Director of State Courts A. John Voelker poses with his family – wife Becky andsons Jay and Ross – and Mallards players Allan Donato (left) and Eric Nielsen,both of whom are living with the Voelkers for the season.

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the community and his dedication to the people of OneidaCounty – and all people of Wisconsin – will make him anasset on the bench.”

“I am extremely happy and very proud to continueserving the people of Oneida County in this capacity,”O’Melia said. “Our county has been blessed with awonderful judicial system and I am thankful to have theopportunity to extend this tradition. I look forward toenhancing and maintaining the high quality of the OneidaCounty legal system.”

O’Melia has been Oneida County District Attorney since1989. Prior to that, he served briefly as an assistantcorporate counsel and assistant district attorney. As a newlaw school graduate, he spent three years with the O’MeliaLaw Firm.

A 1986 graduate of Marquette Law School, O’Meliaearned his undergraduate degree at St. Norbert College in De Pere.

He and his wife, Karalyn, live in Rhinelander. They havethree children: Elliott, Samuel and Eva.

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Gov. Jim Doyle in late August appointed Atty. Nancy J.Krueger, a senior staff attorney at American FamilyInsurance in Appleton, to serve in Branch 2 of theOutagamie County Circuit Court. She succeeds JudgeDennis C. Luebke, who stepped down in June to acceptappointment as an international judge for the UnitedNations Mission in Kosovo.

Krueger began her legal career as a staff attorney at theDepartment of Natural Resources. She also worked as anassistant district attorney in Outagamie County from 1980-82.

A graduate of the UW Law School, Krueger was a coachfor the Appleton East Mock Trial Team and is a member ofthe steering committee for Leadership Fox Cities.

Krueger and her husband, Dr. Michael Krueger, live inAppleton and have two children, Greg and Elizabeth.

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On the same day he appointed Nancy Krueger, Gov. JimDoyle also appointed Atty. Mitchell J. Metropulos to theOutagamie County Circuit Court. Metropulos will serve inBranch 3, where he succeeds Judge Joseph M. Troy whoresigned to take a position with Habush, Habush & Rottier.

Metropulos has been a prosecutor for 10 years. He iscurrently an assistant district attorney in Outagamie County,and also has served in the Winnebago County DistrictAttorney’s Office. He is expected to stand for election to afull, six-year term in April 2008.

A graduate of the UW Law School, Metropulos has been active in restorative justice and domestic violenceprevention and has taught courses at Fox Valley Technical College.

Metropulos and his wife, Teri, live in Appleton. Theyhave three children, Sarah, Nick and Max.

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In late August, Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Atty. James K.Muehlbauer to the Washington County Circuit Court.Muehlbauer will fill the vacancy created by the resignationof Judge Annette K. Ziegler, who now is a member of theWisconsin Supreme Court. Muehlbauer is expected to seekelection to a full, six-year term inApril 2008. Muehlbauer is currently at thelaw firm of Schloemer, Spella,Muehlbauer & Enea. He beganhis career in 1979 as an assistantattorney general at the WisconsinDepartment of Justice, and thenworked at the law firm of Salzaand Schiro. He also served asassistant city attorney for WestBend.

Muehlbauer holds a masters degree in economics fromUW-Milwaukee and a law degree from Marquette LawSchool. He is a member of the Wisconsin Academy of TrialLawyers and is a past-president of the Washington CountyBar Association. He is also an active member of the WestBend Germanfest Committee.

Muehlbauer resides in West Bend with his two sons. Healso has two grown daughters.

�;�������¤��¥���� �"�  ������������� �¦� �����§¨§`� �This summer has seen

several changes in the offices of Wisconsin’s district courtadministrators. Here is the rundown.

In District 6, headquartered inStevens Point, the district courtadministrator post is currentlyvacant. Recruitment is underwayfor that position. Former District6 Court Administrator SusanByrnes has moved to District 9,headquartered in Wausau, toreplace Scott Johnson, whoaccepted a position with thefederal district court in DesMoines, Iowa.

In District 8, headquartered inGreen Bay, Keith Pereira ofVancouver, Wash. was hired toreplace Kathleen M. Murphy,who has agreed to return toMadison to fill the position ofcircuit court policy andprocedures advisor. Murphysucceeds Robert Brick, whoretired in spring after more than 20 years with the court system.

NEW FACES continued from front page

see New Faces on page 15

Susan Byrnes

Keith Pereira

Atty. James K. Muehlbauer

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NEW FACES continued from page 14

Pereira will begin work August 27. He holds a master’sdegree in criminal justice and a certification in courtmanagement from the National Center for State CourtsInstitute for Court Management. Pereira began his career asa probation agent. He has since worked in a variety ofcapacities in court administration, most recentlyadministering specialty courts in the State of Washington.

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The 12 northcentral Wisconsin counties that comprisethe Ninth Judicial Administrative District have a new pro secoordinator to assist in the development of programs

designed to improve services toself-represented litigants.

Annette Barna, a lawyer andadvocate for domestic violencevictims, began work May 21.She replaces Danial Johnson,who resigned the post earlierthis year.

The District Nine pro seprogram is funded for the nexttwo years with federal dollars

through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. In thattime, Barna intends to fully implement the ‘virtual’ legalclinic that has been piloted in District Nine through apartnership among the State Bar, Northcentral TechnicalCollege, and the circuit courts.

The virtual clinic links self-represented litigants withlawyers in other counties using videoconferencing availableat each technical college campus, enabling lawyers toprovide legal help in divorce matters without creatingconflicts of interest. Barna will focus on raising awarenessof the clinic among pro se litigants.

Additional potential projects include:

ÁA forms-review clinic, where litigants could askvolunteer lawyers to check their forms prior to filing;andÁA public library partnership modeled on the District 10effort, where public librarians receive special trainingfrom the Wisconsin State Law Library to enable them tohelp people find legal information.

“There is much to be done, and I am looking forward totraveling the district, meeting people, and learning aboutwhat would be helpful,” Barna said. Annette Barna

OBITUARIESÂ�À�·�Ã�À�·�À�Ä�Å/ÆÇÀ�º�ÈQÀ�¼ÉËÊ¨Ê ´ ¸�º�¾ ÊeÌ À�¼�À�Í�º�ÈQº�¼�¶ÆǺ�·?Î/´ ¸�º�µ

Barbara J. Saeman, who worked forthe Director of State Courts Office for23 years prior to retiring last Februarydue to illness, died April 28 after along battle with leukemia. She was 59.

Saeman was a graduate ofEdgewood High School and MarquetteUniversity. Her diverse career includedwork in an orthodontist’s office and atHoly Name Seminary prior to hercareer with the Wisconsin courtsystem.

Saeman worked her entire courtsystem career in Human Resources,taking on new projects andassignments as the scope of the officeexpanded. Her work in managing thedetails associated with the courts’complex court reporter employmentstructure was exceptional and courtreporters from across the stateexpressed appreciation for her work.

Human Resources Officer MargaretBrady explained that many ofSaeman’s more recent contributionstook the form of “behind-the-scenes

administrative tasks and assignmentsthat make our work lives as courtsystem staff run smoothly.” Brady saidthat Saeman played a key role intraining new staff and working onsubstantial information technology andjob classification projects.

But most of all, Brady said, “Barbwill be remembered for the kind andgenerous demeanor she possessed asshe competently and capably carriedout many Human Resourcesassignments over her 23 years with thecourt system. Her strong commitmentto tending to the “human” side ofHuman Resources is missed.”

Surviving are her parents, Ken andBernice Saeman, and two sisters.

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Judge Nick Schaefer, who servedas an Outagamie County judge for 19years and an Outagamie County district attorney for seven years beforethat, died May 15. He was 79.

An Appleton native, Schaeferworked as a reserve judge in the regionfor several years after his retirement in

1987. In 1972 he founded Volunteersin Probation, now known as theVolunteers in Offender Services, whichpairs first-time misdemeanor offenderswith community mentors. OutagamieCounty Judge Michael W. Gage said inThe Post-Crescent obituary that theprogram was Schaefer’s idea and “it’sstill going strong and even expanding.”

Schaefer was described as “aninspiration and a mentor” by hisOutagamie County successor, JudgeJoseph M. Troy. Troy told The Post-Crescent that he appeared beforeSchaefer as a 20 year old for a “stupidprank” and was impressed at howSchaefer handled the courtroom.“Little did I know that Judge Schaeferwould eventually help me take over hiswork as judge in Branch 3, 13 yearslater,” Troy said.

“He really goes down as a greatpublic servant,” Gage said. “Nick wasa judge who really treated people withrespect and decency and was neverpompous or officious.”

Schaefer is survived by his sisterand brother-in-law, Sally and BillHatch of Landisville, Penn., andseveral nieces and nephews. Ø

see New Faces on page 17

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The State of Wisconsin celebrated its 150th anniversaryin 1998, and a number of Wisconsin counties are now

reaching milestones of their own. This summer, judges andcourt staff in Adams and Lafayette counties participated incelebrations that encouraged local residents to visit thecourthouse and learn about court history.

Adams CountyAlthough the striking Adams County Courthouse –

completed in 1912 and expanded over the years – is notconsidered a building of great historic importance, its

completion was an unusuallycelebrated event. The reason: itreplaced a tomb-like structure madecompletely of stone without a singlewindow.

The 1912 courthouse was againfeted in the celebration of theVillage of Friendship’s 150thanniversary in July. Judge CharlesA. Pollex, who had made a splashon July 4 by appearing, completewith powdered wig, on a float in theIndependence Day parade,participated in the sesquicentennialcelebration with members of thecounty board and Clerk of CircuitCourt Dianna Helmrick.

Lafayette CountyThe Lafayette County

Courthouse is considered one of thestate’s crown jewels, and is listed on

both the state and national registers of historic places. Ofparticular note is the story of how this courthouse wasfunded: according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, thecounty set up a fund during the Civil War to help widowsand others affected by the conflict.

Many donations were received, but – perhaps becausethe federal government assumed responsibility for warvictims – the fund was never tapped. The original trusteesdied, and the fund was left in the hands of a cautiousinvestor named Matthew Murphy, who determined that itought to be used to build a much-needed new courthouse forthe county. He willed the widows’ fund to the county forthis purpose, and added a substantial amount of his ownmoney to the pot.

The courthouse was therefore privately funded building,and is adorned with a bust of Murphy, who died in 1903,was built for a total of $136,500.

Unofficial Lafayette County historian (and register ofdeeds) Joe Boll, and his deputy, Cathy Paulson, organizedan observance of the 100th anniversary of the constructionof the courthouse, which drew about 350 people – thanks inpart to a large story headlined “Courthouse is a jewel” in theSunday edition of the Wisconsin State Journal. Boll hasgathered photographs and articles about the courthouse, and,with funding from the county board and help from his staff,produced a book on the history of the courthouse. Much ofhis material was on display at the open house.

Judge William D. Johnston and other local leadersdressed in period clothing for the event, and led tours for thepublic. County elected officials, their staff, and thecourthouse janitorial staff worked hard to prepare thecourthouse for the celebration and the day ended with aband performance on the courthouse lawn. ã

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Clerk of Circuit Court Kitty McGowan andJudge William D. Johnston participate in thecentennial celebration at the LafayetteCounty Courthouse.

Judges and local officials from Barron, Chippewa,Juneau, Monroe, and St. Croix counties testified

recently to the Senate Committee on Judiciary andCorrections about the need for additional circuit courtbranches in their counties.

The director of state courts has introduced Senate Bill 199 and Assembly Bill 393 that would create seven new circuit court judgeships. The legislation is in responseto the Judicial Needs Assessment Study showing Wisconsin needs 18 additional judgeships to maintaincurrent service levels.

Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), lead author of SB199 and chair of the Judiciary Committee, brought thecommittee to Eau Claire on August 13 and to Mauston onAugust 14 to hear testimony on SB 199.

The bill would establish new circuit court branches as ofAugust 1, 2008 in six counties: Barron, Chippewa, Dodge,Green, Juneau, and St. Croix. It would also establish anadditional circuit court branch in Monroe County as ofAugust 1, 2010.

Judges James C. Babler of Barron and Edward F. VlackIII of St. Croix testified about the growth of their counties’

workload. In written testimony submitted to the committee,Judges Roderick A. Cameron and Thomas J. Sazama ofChippewa noted their county has had a need for anadditional judge for more than 10 years and that it “hasreached the point where efficiencies no longer suffice.”

In Mauston, both Judge John P. Roemer of Juneau andChief Judge John R. Storck spoke about the urgent need that county faces. They were joined in support of SB 199 by Representative Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg), a co-author of the bill, and members of the Juneau Countybar. Julie Radke, vice chair of the Monroe County Board,addressed the committee in support of an additionaljudgeship for her county.

District Court Administrators Gregg Moore, PatrickBrummond, and Susan Byrnes provided additionalbackground information to the committee and assisted inpreparing for the hearings.

Taylor’s committee is holding additional public hearingson SB 199 on August 28 in Fond du Lac and September 11in Madison. Executive action by the committee is tentativelyscheduled for September 11. ã

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www.wicourts.gov

Chief JusticeShirley S. Abrahamson

Director of State CourtsA. John Voelker

EditorAmanda K. Todd

Associate EditorC. Colleen Flesher

Contributing WritersMichelle Jensen-GoodwinSandra M. KniselyNancy RottierTom SheehanA. John VoelkerAnn Zimmerman

Editorial CommitteeHon. Michael J. RosboroughVernon County Circuit CourtGregg T. MooreDistrict Ten Court AdministratorCarolyn OlsonIowa County Clerk of CircuitCourt

Graphic Design/LayoutC. Colleen Flesher

The Third Branch is aquarterly publication of theDirector of State CourtsOffice, providing news ofinterest to the Wisconsincourt system.

Send questions, comments,and article ideas to: Amanda K. ToddCourt Information OfficerP.O. Box 1688Madison, WI 53701-1688phone(608) 264-6256e-mailamanda.todd@wicourts.govfax(608) 267-0980

Prior to accepting the position, Barna was practicing law in Minneapolis. Shewas in-house counsel and ethics counsel for a corporation and also owned aresidential construction firm. A native of the Rusk County community ofLadysmith, Barna earned her undergraduate degree at UW-Eau Claire and her lawdegree at Hamline University School of Law.

When she is not working, Barna enjoys spending time with her children, ages 4 and 6. She also volunteers as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Barna will be based in the Wausau office of District Court Administrator Susan M.Byrnes. She can be reached at (715) 842-3872.

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by Sandra M. Knisely, court information intern

Amy Wochos began serving as coordinator of the Milwaukee County Self-Help Center at the end of March, and has brought fresh faces and ideas – in theform of student interns and extra services – to the rapidly expanding center.

“There were such devoted volunteers that I wanted to expand what was inplace and institute some new programs,” Wochos said.

Wochos now recruits student interns from local universities to help at thecenter. Several law, paralegal, and undergraduate students were selected at thebeginning of July to offer legal information to pro se litigants with family-lawissues.

Many of the applicants were former students of Wochos, who has taughtintroductory law at UW-Milwaukee for five years. Other students are fromMilwaukee Area Technical College and Bryant and Stratton College, and Wochosanticipates more students from Marquette University next spring.

The self-help center volunteers offer information on court procedures and helpto explain paperwork for family and small claims cases. “In some ways, it’salmost easier for students [to volunteer] because they can’t give legal advice,” shesaid. “It can be hard for the lawyers to hold back.”Wochos was a civil litigator for 11 years, and attorneys are still predominantamong the center’s volunteers.

Approximately 30 attorneys offer family law assistance and 20-25 volunteer insmall claims. Each attorney volunteers once a month and people wait in line forhelp on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We have great numbers of volunteers, and it’s still just the tip of the iceberg,”Wochos said. We could double our volunteers and still not help everybody.”

Wochos added she is also interested in alternative ways of sharing legalinformation. Her goals include adding to the center’s Web site, branching out toSpanish and Hmong speakers and developing workshops for community groups.

Wochos has experience organizing service programs. She has been active withthe Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar and the American Bar Associationfor 10 years.

Pro se litigation is “not a new phenomenon, but it’s seeing its zenith,” shesaid. “I think the “Access to Justice” study has shown a lot of people can’t affordan attorney, and Legal Aid and Legal Action just don’t have the staff to providean attorney to everyone.” She described the litigants as “patient and grateful” forthe center’s services.

Away from work, Wochos, a Milwaukee native and trivia buff, is “desperately” trying to improve her 5K time. “You’ll see me at asmany races as I can get to this summer,” she said. 5

NEW FACES continued from page 15