Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Adam Gerol’s recent trip to Israel was unexpectedly shaped by missile alerts, shelter stays, and an escape route through Jordan. Read about his trip and the lessons he learned about the power of resilience.
Volume 4 | Issue 8 | August 2025
Justice Susan Crawford was formally sworn in to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on August 1 during a Capitol Rotunda ceremony marking the start of her 10-year term.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will convene at the Richland County Courthouse as part of Justice on Wheels, giving local residents, students, and educators a chance to watch oral arguments close to home.
Chief Judge Guy D. Dutcher of Waushara County has been selected by his peers to serve as chair of the Wisconsin Chief Judges Committee, a statewide leadership role that helps guide circuit court administration.
More than a dozen newly elected and appointed circuit court judges took part in New Judge Orientation in Madison, a three-day program offering training in courtroom practice, judicial ethics, and key areas of law.
The Wisconsin Court System has appointed Brittney Richmond as Chief Information Officer and Tim Duggan as Deputy CIO.
Young has been appointed Legal Counsel and Executive Assistant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky. She brings years of experience in judicial education, victim advocacy, and legal services to the role.
Justine Suleski has been named Director of the Office of Judicial Education. With experience as a prosecutor, educator, and judicial training coordinator, she brings a broad perspective to the role.
In her time with the court system, Suleski has worked closely with judges, faculty, and court leadership to develop and coordinate statewide judicial education programs. Her work has included planning and administering judicial conferences, managing continuing education credits, and supporting faculty development.
Suleski is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School. Before joining the Office of Judicial Education, she coordinated continuing legal education at UW Law School and served as an assistant district attorney in both La Crosse and Dane Counties.
The legacy of Wisconsin’s first woman lawyer, Lavinia Goodell, will be at the center of an upcoming ceremony. On September 10, the Wisconsin Historical Society will present its 2025 Board of Curators Public Program Award to Nancy Kopp and Colleen Ball. The event will take place at 10 a.m. in the Sellery Room of the Society’s headquarters in Madison.
Kopp, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court Commissioner, and Ball, a clerk for Justice Janet Protasiewicz, organized several events in 2024 marking the 150th anniversary of Goodell’s admission to practice. Their efforts included a reenactment of Goodell’s admission to the bar at the Rock County Courthouse, the successful proposal for Governor Evers to proclaim June 17 as Women Lawyers Day, and a historical program at Old World Wisconsin that dramatized Goodell’s courtroom battle with Chief Justice Edward Ryan.
A follow-up article with highlights from the award presentation will appear in the next edition.
Governor Tony Evers signed 2025 Wisconsin Act 25 on August 8, updating judicial privacy protections and related administrative procedures.
Two-factor authentication will be required for users of Wisconsin Court System eCourts applications starting later in September. The update is part of a broader effort to enhance account security.
Juvenile court clerks from across Wisconsin met in Stevens Point for the Wisconsin Juvenile Court Clerks Association’s annual conference, a three-day program focused on training, informative updates, and peer support.
The Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation will host its next Lunch and Learn webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with a focus on how effective practice management can help reduce stress.
Titled “Stress Management Through Better Practice Management”, the free session runs from noon to 1:00 p.m.
Christopher Shattuck, J.D., M.B.A., an educator and former managing attorney and practice management advisor, will lead the program. He’ll share strategies for managing billable hours, setting boundaries, and improving client communication with the aim of creating a more manageable workload and healthier work-life balance.
More details and registration information will be posted on the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation’s LinkedIn page.
Kenosha County celebrated the 100th anniversary of its courthouse on Aug. 24 with a community program, open house, and musical performances. The event highlighted the courthouse’s role in civic life since its dedication in 1925.
Justice Rebecca Dallet of the Wisconsin Supreme Court spoke on the courthouse steps, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and the courts’ role as a co-equal branch of government. “The strength of our courts lies in their independence, their unity, and their service to all people without fear or favor,” Justice Dallet said.
The program included recognition of the courthouse’s history, as well as acknowledgment of the judges, clerks, and staff who have served there over the past century.
A newly installed portrait display at the Manitowoc County Courthouse brings together more than a century of judicial history, featuring past judges whose service shaped the county’s courts since 1907.
This month’s issue continues our new feature celebrating Wisconsin Court System employees for their years of service. Click to find out who is celebrating an anniversary this month.
Walworth County Circuit Court Judge David M. Reddy has announced his retirement, effective January 2, 2026, after more than 15 years on the bench.
The Wisconsin Court System is always looking for talented professionals to join our team. Each month, we spotlight job openings across the state.
Sadly, we've lost a former member of our judicial community recently, following the death of former judge Lawrence F. Waddick. Learn more about his legacy.
