News

Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder

Judge Michael T. Judge

The Eighth Judicial District, headquartered in Green Bay and encompassing Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie and Waupaca counties, is welcoming a new chief judge, deputy chief judge, and district court administrator.

In partnership with professional court administrator, chief judges are responsible for handling administrative business in each of the state’s ten judicial districts. With the exception of Milwaukee, where the chief judge is a full-time administrator, chief judges and their deputies maintain court calendars in addition to handling administrative matters.

Brown County Circuit Court Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder is the new chief judge; Oconto County Circuit Court Judge Michael T. Judge is deputy chief; and John Powell is district court administrator.

The Supreme Court appointed Zuidmulder to succeed Chief Judge Sue E. Bischel, who stepped down because demands of the trial bench, community activities and family commitments did not allow her sufficient time to devote to chief judge duties. Bischel remains a Brown County Circuit Court judge, and Zuidmulder will serve the remainder of her term, which runs through July 31.

Zuidmulder was elected to the bench in 1997 after a 22-year career in private practice. He also served as Brown County district attorney, and as an assistant attorney general. He recently won a ‘Spirit of Leadership’ award from a coalition of faith groups for his “vision and leadership” in establishing and securing funding for the new Brown County Drug Court program.

Zuidmulder appointed Judge Michael T. Judge, Oconto County Circuit Court, to serve as his deputy. Judge was elected to the bench in 2005 after working for 32 years in private practice. He succeeds Judge D. Todd Ehlers, who was Bischel’s deputy. Ehlers continues to serve on the bench in Door County Circuit Court.

Completing the management team is District Court Administrator John Powell, who came to Green Bay in March from the State of Oregon court system. In Oregon, Powell focused on helping the trial court prepare for technology upgrades. He also has worked in court administration in Nevada, Minnesota and Kansas.

Contact:
Amanda K. Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256