Third Branch eNews

Gov. Tony Evers has appointed two new judges to the circuit court bench. Emily Nolan-Plutchak will serve in Wood County, Branch 3, and Gordon Leech will serve in Washington County, Branch 2. Both bring decades of legal experience and strong ties to their communities as they begin their judicial service.

Emily Nolan-Putchak, Wood County Branch 3

Emily Nolan-Plutchak is set to become the first woman to serve as a circuit court judge in Wood County following her appointment to Branch 3 by Gov. Tony Evers. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Todd P. Wolf and is set to serve a term ending July 31, 2026.

Nolan-Plutchak has worked as a public defender in central Wisconsin since 2007, representing clients in Wood, Adams, and Portage Counties. She currently serves as the local attorney manager for the Wisconsin Rapids office of the Wisconsin State Public Defender, overseeing caseloads in Wood and Adams Counties and coordinating with private bar attorneys. Her casework has included felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and revocation matters.

She began her legal career as a public defender in Missouri before relocating to Wisconsin. In addition to her courtroom work, Nolan-Plutchak has been a member of the Wood County Adult Drug Treatment Court team since its inception in 2007 and has contributed to the development of treatment court practices on local, state, and national levels.

“It is an honor to serve all the people of Wood County as a judge,” Nolan-Plutchak said. “I will make decisions based on the facts and the law, and I will serve with humility and deep appreciation for the rule of law.”

Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker supported the appointment, citing her consistent professionalism and collaborative approach to improving public safety.

“She has earned my trust because of her integrity, her legal ability, her deep involvement in Wood County, and the fact that she is an honest, straightforward individual who treats everyone respectfully,” Becker said.

Nolan-Plutchak is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Marquette University Law School. She serves on the board of Three Bridges Recovery and is a former president of the Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals.

Gordon Leech, Washington County Branch 2

Gordon Leech, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and longtime attorney, has been appointed to the Washington County Circuit Court, Branch 2. Gov. Tony Evers announced the appointment to fill the vacancy created by Judge James K. Muehlbauer’s upcoming resignation, effective August 8, 2025. Leech will serve the remainder of the term, which ends July 31, 2026.

Leech previously served as an assistant district attorney in Fond du Lac County, managing a caseload of more than 600 cases. His work includes prosecuting a range of offenses from serious felonies to traffic and forfeiture violations. Prior to joining the district attorney’s office in 2022, he practiced civil law in both Florida and Wisconsin, focusing on employment, insurance, and consumer protection matters. In 2010, he opened his firm, where he expanded his practice to include criminal defense work through public defender appointments.

In announcing the appointment, Gov. Evers highlighted Leech’s broad legal background and commitment to public service. Judge Muehlbauer also expressed confidence in his successor, citing Leech’s work ethic, integrity, and trial experience.

Leech was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1988 and served on active duty as a judge advocate from 1991 to 1995. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1999. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and currently resides in Germantown.

“I look forward to serving the people of Washington County, my home community, as their circuit court judge,” Leech said. “I promise to maintain the integrity of the office, apply the law as given by the Legislature and appellate courts, work for a safe community, and treat all parties fairly and with dignity.”