A celebration of life for former Director of State Courts J. Denis Moran was held May 16 at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ in Madison. Moran, Wisconsin’s first Director of State Courts after the court system’s 1978 reorganization, served in that role until 2003 and returned as Interim Director of State Courts from 2015 to 2017.
Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, who worked with Moran during both periods of his service to the Wisconsin Court System, offered the following remarks:
“When we remember Denis Moran, it is impossible not to think first about the extraordinary impact he had on Wisconsin’s court system. For nearly a quarter century, Denis served as Wisconsin’s first Director of State Courts after the reorganization of the court system in 1978. During that time, he helped build what became one of the most respected court systems in the country.
But titles and accomplishments alone do not explain Denis. Those of us who worked with him over many years — as I did first as a circuit court judge, and later on the Wisconsin Supreme Court — understood that what truly distinguished Denis was not simply his intellect or administrative skill, impressive as those were. It was the way he treated people. Denis had that rare combination of qualities that every institution hopes for in a leader but seldom finds in one person. He was thoughtful but decisive. Strong but fair. Innovative yet deeply respectful of the traditions and values of the judiciary. And he led with humanity. One person described him as “not only the best boss I ever had, but the most fair-minded man I ever encountered.” Another said, “He made our court system the most respected in the nation . . . yet led with dignity and great intellect.” Those words ring true to anyone who knew him.
Denis transformed the administration of justice in Wisconsin. Many people outside the court system may not realize how much of what we now take for granted exists because of Denis’s vision and persistence. CCAP — our statewide court automation system — became a national model under his leadership. He pushed the courts into the digital age long before many institutions understood how transformative technology would become. He championed electronic access to court information, modernized recordkeeping, improved courthouse security, expanded judicial education, advanced interpreter services, and laid the groundwork for electronic filing. But Denis never viewed innovation as an end in itself. For him, these efforts were always about serving people better — making the courts more accessible, more efficient, more trustworthy, and more responsive to the public.
What I always admired was that Denis could manage enormous institutional responsibilities while still making individuals feel respected and valued. He listened carefully. He welcomed differing views. He understood that courts function best when people trust one another and work together with mutual respect. And even in difficult moments, Denis brought steadiness and perspective.
There was also joy in him. The obituary says he had a quick wit and a ready laugh, and that was certainly true. He enjoyed good conversation, spirited competition, friendship, and family gatherings. He loved golf, racquetball, skiing, sailing, biking — but perhaps even more than the activities themselves, he loved the camaraderie that came with them. I especially love the phrase he was fond of saying: “Who has more fun than people?” That captures something essential about Denis. He genuinely enjoyed life, and he genuinely enjoyed people.
Even after his retirement in 2003, when the court system again needed experienced leadership, Denis returned to serve as Interim Director from 2015 to 2017. He did not come back for recognition or prestige. He came back because he cared deeply about the institution and the people within it. That sense of duty defined him.
But as meaningful as his professional legacy is — and it is immense — I suspect Denis himself would most want to be remembered not for awards or titles, of which there were many, but for the relationships he built. In his retirement remarks years ago, Denis said that the professional relationships he developed “formed the foundation of many lifelong friendships by which I feel especially blessed.” I think many of us here today would say exactly the same about knowing him.
He made our courts better. He made our professional lives richer. And through his kindness, fairness, humor, and friendship, he made our lives better personally as well. To his family —my former colleague Emily [Mueller], his children, grandchildren, loved ones, and dear friends — thank you for sharing Denis with the Wisconsin court system for so many years. He leaves behind not only an extraordinary public legacy, but the memory of a truly good man. He will be missed.”
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