More than a dozen newly elected and appointed circuit court judges gathered in Madison from August 6 to 8 for New Judge Orientation, a three-day program designed to help them transition to life on the bench.
The orientation was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East and began with a welcome from Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky, followed by an introduction to the Wisconsin Judicial College led by Judges Wendy Klicko and Guy Dutcher. The first day included hands-on training in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP), the statewide electronic case management system used by the courts.
Additional sessions addressed important topics such as courtroom safety, interpreter services, judicial ethics, and key areas of law. A panel of experienced judges and attorneys conducted a half-day workshop focused on family law, while other sessions covered small claims, injunctions, search warrants, and child welfare proceedings.
Appellate Judges Lisa Stark and Gregory Gill provided an overview of civil and criminal court procedures. Chief Judge Dutcher discussed core concepts in criminal law, and Judge Karl Hanson led a practical session on search warrants. The program concluded at the Dane County Courthouse with a review of judicial responsibilities in child welfare cases, presented by Judge Klicko.
New Judge Orientation is hosted annually by the Office of Judicial Education in cooperation with the Wisconsin Judicial College Committee and offers continuing judicial education credit.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov