The Third Branch
The Third Branch is a quarterly publication of the Director of State Courts Office, providing news of interest to the Wisconsin Court System. Comments and suggestions may be directed to Tom Sheehan.
Current issue - Fall 2013
Use the links below to navigate the current issue or view the PDF version 
(printable version)
Featured stories
Madison hosts Midwest justices and court administrators
Justices and court administrators from across the Midwest gathered in Madison for the Midwest Conference of Supreme Court Justices and State Court Administrators.
New committee established to examine child welfare issues
The Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare brings together judges and court professionals with the goal of improving the practices and policies relating to child protection.
Sheboygan hosts Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Supreme Court heard cases in the Sheboygan County Courthouse as part of the Justice on Wheels program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.
Director's column: Conference to explore court security issues
A glimpse at the upcoming fourth annual court security conference planned for March 2014.
2013 Judicial Conference
Judges and court staff from across the state gathered in the Wisconsin Dells to attend the annual Judicial Conference, where Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson delivered the State of the Judiciary Address and Director of State Courts A. John Voelker delivered the State of the Director's Office Address.
Awards:
Kremers, Froehlich honored
Two court reporters receive honors
Court of Appeals judges attend seminar on paperless courts
Judges and staff from the Court of Appeals took a close look at the future of the appellate courts and the prospect of going paperless.
Court of Appeals celebrates 35 years
August 2013 marked the 35th anniversary of a state court reorganization that created the Court of Appeals.
Access to Justice Commission update
The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission has filed a petition to amend the Code of Judicial Conduct as it relates to self-represented litigants.
Wisconsin connects
Justice Ann Walsh Bradley was among the U.S. delegates who traveled to Morocco to speak to lawyers and judges from the Mid East-North Africa countries.
Online tool provides legal assistance in northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin Judicare launched the Northern Wisconsin Legal Advice Project, a website that provides legal assistance to low-income residents in 13 counties.
Clerk of Court takes on Mt. Kilimanjaro
Dane County Clerk of Circuit Court Carlo Esqueda celebrated his 50th birthday by reaching Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa.
Summer law internships
Recruitment has begun for those interested in participating in the summer internship program, which pairs first- and second-year law students with judges around the state.
Online education resource developed for child welfare cases
The Children's Court Improvement Program has created a new E-Learning site to assist with the processing of protective services cases, termination of parental rights, child placement and adoption.
Wisconsin was among states selected to attend Institute on Child Well-being
A team comprised of representatives from all three branches of government attended the National Governors Association's Three Branch Institute on Child Well-being in Philadelphia.
CCAP's judicial dashboard hits the road at Judicial Conference
A presentation at the Judicial Conference offered hands-on experience with the judicial dashboard, designed to provide easy access to computing tools for judges.
Justice Crooks remembers meeting JFK
Justice N. Patrick Crooks recounts meeting John F. Kennedy at St. Norbert College in 1960
Inter-branch symposium brings judicial and legislative branches together
Representatives of the judicial and legislative branches met at a symposium to discuss current and potential legal issues arising from the use of new technology
Milwaukee Justice Center takes to the road
A new mobile legal clinic, offered by the Milwaukee Justice Center, brings legal assistance to low-income residents in the community who are not able to visit the clinic's Milwaukee Courthouse location.
Jurors celebrated across the state
In September courthouses around the state held events to celebrate those who serve on juries as part of Juror Appreciation Month.
PPAC releases Critical Issues survey results
Four issues for prioritization were identified as a result of the 2014-16 Critical Issues survey.
Effective Justice Strategies training explored through role-playing
The 2013 District Training featured role-playing activities to focus on evidence-based sentencing practices.
In every issue:
New faces
Obituaries
People
Retirements