Longtime court administrator steps down

Kerry Connelly

District Court Administrator Kerry Connelly, who has managed the courts in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties for 21 years, will step down from his post in June. Connelly intends to pursue job opportunities that may take him overseas.

"I'll miss the judges and court staff in the Second Judicial District," Connelly said, "but it's time to pursue some of my other interests."

In recent years, Connelly has traveled to Gaza and the Philippines to work on short-term court improvement projects involving management of records and caseflow. "The opportunity to share my expertise has been profoundly satisfying, but also incredibly challenging," he said. "It's difficult to convey a sense for the working conditions in these developing countries. From day to day, you may not know whether you will even have electricity."

Here in Wisconsin, Connelly has steered a number of important projects in the Second Judicial District, including the development of a drug and alcohol treatment court in Racine. He also recently secured a federal grant to send a team from Kenosha to a drug-court training program – the first step in developing a drug treatment court there.

"I'm proud of what we have accomplished in the Second District," Connelly said. "I am confident the courts are in good shape, and that Chief Judge Mary Wagner will work closely with Director of State Courts A. John Voelker and others to ensure a smooth transition."

Connelly plans to spend part of his summer in Switzerland and the Czech Republic with his wife Geri, who travels frequently for her employer, S.C. Johnson. He also plans to visit Istanbul in the fall to attend the International Association of Court Administration Conference. 

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