Third Branch eNews

A seasoned judge is bringing his wealth of experience and leadership as the newest deputy chief judge of the 2nd Judicial District. Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Chad G. Kerkman was first elected in 2009, and re-elected to the bench in 2015 and 2021. He was selected for the position by newly appointed Chief Judge Wynne Laufenberg, to replace Racine County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Boyle the previous deputy chief judge.

Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Steven M. Cain is the newest deputy chief judge in the 3rd Judicial District. Cain was first elected to the bench in 2019 after nearly a decade as a municipal court judge in the county. He was appointed to the post of deputy chief by Chief Judge Paul Bugenhagen to replace Judge Paul Malloy, who recently retired.

One of the newest members of the 9th Judicial District has impressed in his short tenure, earning a leadership role in the district. Portage County Circuit Court Judge Louis Molepske was elected in 2022 after nearly a decade as the county’s district attorney. Prior to that, he represented the 71st Assembly District as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2003-2013. Chief Judge Ann Knox-Bauer selected Molepske to succeed Price County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Klein as the deputy chief.

Judge Kelly Thimm, Douglas County Circuit Court, has been appointed as the new deputy chief judge in the 10th Judicial District. Thimm, who was raised in Superior, WI, was first elected in 2009 after more than a decade in the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. He fills the vacancy left by Bayfield County Circuit Court Judge John Anderson, who was appointed as Chief Judge in August.