News

Wisconsin’s Committee of Chief Judges unanimously elected Chief Judge Gerald P. Ptacek, Racine County Circuit Court, as ‘chief of the chiefs’ at its August meeting. In this capacity, Ptacek will serve as chair of the group. He replaces Chief Judge Michael N. Nowakowski, Dane County Circuit Court, who continues to serve as a judge but completed his service on the committee.

The Committee of Chief Judges is comprised of Wisconsin’s 10 chief judges. These judges are selected by the Supreme Court to handle administrative matters for the court system. Working as a team with a deputy chief judge and a professional court administrator, they manage the flow of cases, supervise personnel, develop budgets, and meet monthly as a committee to work on issues of statewide importance.

“I believe the work of the chief judges is vital to the functioning of the Wisconsin court system,” Ptacek said, “and I am honored that my colleagues saw fit to elect me as their chair.”

Ptacek is chief judge of the Second Judicial Administrative District, which encompasses Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties. He has been a Racine County Circuit Court judge since 1988, and will continue to handle a caseload in that county.

For more information contact:
Amanda K. Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256