The Third Branch
Sheedy fondly recalled
By Michael Neimon, District Court Administrator
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Michael Neimon |
I first met Judge Patrick T. Sheedy when I was a 23-year-old volunteer at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. I was with District Court Administrator Ron Witkowiak when all of a sudden he came walking straight towards us, hand extended, big smile and booming "How R Ya." What was so impressive about a person saying hi? Well, if you have ever been with Judge Sheedy you just know he was not just another person. He was unique. He was special. He was kind. He was concerned. He cared. In this situation, I was a nobody. I was of no value to him, I was of no value to anyone to speak of in "the system," I was an obscure volunteer. In a few short minutes he made me feel like I was the most important person in the courthouse.
He left as fast as he came and Ron turned and said "He is going to be our next chief judge." I thought how lucky Milwaukee County was going to be. In reality it turned out to be how lucky I was because in the next six years he became my chief, my mentor and my friend. As his employee, I was never made to feel anything short of his equal. The title "chief judge" made him boss, but he never treated you that way. I was 46 years younger than he. He had plaques, awards, job title, experience and credentials that I could only dream of, which for most people significantly affects the view of their importance. Judge Sheedy simply dismissed that, and you were his colleague. That is why he was a great leader and a great chief judge.
Judge Sheedy was a genius with a cunning wit. He had a thirst for knowledge, and I often left our personal meetings thinking that most people would be lucky to learn as much as he might forget in the area of law. He was fascinated with the law, but equally fascinated with people and the dynamics of interaction. His Irish wit and jokes were plentiful, and yes, sometimes repetitious.
He was good to his core, rarely at a loss for words and "a straight shooter." A key reason for his success as chief judge was that he often met informally with key players so they were never surprised at what he was doing, and he knew what they wanted. This promoted mutual respect and an ability for him to develop trust in an environment where such a commodity rarely existed.
His work ethic was legendary. His last day as chief judge was also his last day on the bench. He was leaving with 25 days of vacation still on the books. In true Judge Sheedy fashion, he had two divorces that he was presiding over simultaneously. He no longer had a regular calendar, but nonetheless was going to finish these two cases.
I waited in my office as I did not want to leave before him. I needed to have that last special moment with my friend. In the six years we worked together in the chief judge's office, I was fortunate that he also allowed me into his personal life. We shared a lot of special moments together, talking about the system and things outside of work. Then it came. He walked in as fast as he did the first time I met him six years prior and the moment was upon us. The words were not what I was expecting, but it was classic Judge Sheedy. "How R Ya Mike, may I use your office, I need it for one of the parties in order to finalize this divorce." A request, not a demand, respectful and not demeaning.
Naturally I said yes, and I as I left my office he was back, tending to the litigants, engrossed in his next task, never slowing down. On his last day on the bench, he was the last to leave the courthouse that night.