As the use of new and cutting-edge technology continues to change the legal realm, Wisconsin's Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) have spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in case management and access systems for the state's justice system to meet the evolving needs of the legal community.
A statue honoring civil rights leader Vel Phillips will be erected on the Capitol grounds in Madison, Wisconsin this summer. Phillips, a groundbreaker in multiple arenas, notably became Wisconsin's first Black woman to graduate from UW-Madison Law School in 1951. Her historic journey continued as she became the first African American to serve on the Milwaukee City Council and later ascended to become the state's inaugural female and non-white secretary of state in 1978.
The Wisconsin judicial system is preparing to welcome new members to the bench this month as Governor Tony Evers has announced a pair of judicial appointments. With diverse backgrounds and extensive experience serving as prosecutors, these new judges are poised to make valuable contributions to their communities.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed circuit court judges from Racine and Bayfield counties as new chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts, effective Aug. 1, 2024. The Court also re-appointed judges from Outagamie, Taylor and Waushara counties to continue as chief judges, and re-appointed Chief Judge Maxine White to the Court of Appeals.
Judges and Commissioners from around Wisconsin participated in a training on child welfare practices in Madison from April 10-12, 2024. The Child Welfare Law Orientation is an annual conference organized by the Children's Court Improvement Program (CCIP) to educate judges and commissioners about child welfare law and prepare them to hear such cases from the bench.
The State Bar of Wisconsin has announced Ryan Billings as the president-elect in its recent elections, which concluded on April 26, 2024.
In a closely contested race, Billings defeated Jennifer Johnson of Milwaukee by 1,615 votes to 1,376. Traditionally, the president-elect holds the position for a year before assuming the presidency for another year, with the transition scheduled for July 1, 2024.
In the latest legal community recognition, Judge Michael Bohren, Waukesha County Circuit Court (center), received a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Waukesha Bar Association at an event on May 16. Court Commissioner Daniel Rieck (right) was bestowed with the Community Service Award, while attorney AnnMarie Sylla (left) was honored with the Distinguished Member Award.
Students from across Wisconsin recently engaged in a lively discussion with Justice Janet Protasiewicz as part of the Court with Class program. The program, a collaboration between the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the State Bar of Wisconsin, offers a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand knowledge of the judicial process and engage directly with legal professionals.
The Wisconsin Court System recently had the privilege of participating in the Government, International Affairs, and Nonprofit Career Resource Fair held at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Building on the University of Wisconsin campus. Austin Sackett, Emily Boehlke, and Samantha Lemke from the Human Resources team represented the Court System at the event.
Sadly, we've lost several members of our judicial community in recent weeks. Dearly departed include former Dane County judge Moria Krueger, Lafayette County judge Duane M. Jorgenson, and Barron County judge Jim Babbitt. Take a look at the obituaries to learn more about their legacies.
