James K. Muehlbauer
Washington County Circuit Court
The Honorable James K. Muehlbauer of Washington County Circuit Court’s second branch recently announced his plans to retire, commencing on August 8 of this year.
Judge Muehlbauer earned his J.D. from Marquette Law School in 1979, after which he served as Assistant Attorney General for the Wisconsin Department of Justice. He was working in private practice in 2007 when Governor Jim Doyle appointed him to Washington County’s Circuit Court, where he has served ever since.
“Being a trial Judge has become progressively more demanding and difficult over the years,” Judge Muehlbauer says. “Nevertheless, it is the best job I have ever had. It is better than my first job of delivering newspapers at age 12 and better than my most recent lawyer job of being a partner in a successful law firm.”
The citizens of Washington County and Wisconsin send their best wishes to a judge known for his compassion – and wit. “I am proud to declare that while I may have made some mistakes as a judge, non erravi perniciose – omnis sepervixit!” he states. “Translation from Latin: I did not commit a fatal error – everyone survived!”
Todd P. Wolf
Wood County Circuit Court
The Honorable Todd P. Wolf recently announced that he will retire from Branch 3 of the Wood County Circuit Court this July. “It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Wood County for the past 36 years as both a judge and in the District Attorney’s Office,” he says. “It has been my enjoyment to work for such wonderful people.”
After receiving his J.D. from Marquette Law School in 1988, Judge Wolf worked as a prosecutor in Wisconsin Rapids for over 20 years. He was first elected in 2009 and subsequently re-elected in 2015 and 2021.
“I am most proud of helping to start the Wood County Adult Drug Treatment Court,” Judge Wolf says. “I feel the commitment that the members of the Criminal Justice Task Force have made to the Wood County Adult Treatment Court has made a huge difference. Since the beginning of that program, it has benefitted many lives in the community. It has been an honor to help establish the program as the District Attorney and to begin running the program in August of 2009 as the judge.
“I’m also proud in helping to establish the Child Advocacy Center in the Marshfield Clinic, which has assisted the victims of child abuse cases by reducing the stress associated with testifying in criminal proceedings. Working with the medical professionals, social workers, and the caring people surrounding those children was very rewarding.”
Judge Wolf is looking forward to his retirement and plans to spend quality time with his wife, family, friends, and grandchildren. As an avid sportsman, he also looks forward to spending more time outdoors as he begins this new chapter of his life.
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