News

Six retired Wisconsin judges will serve the state in a new capacity as the first members of the Government Accountability Board (GAB), which will replace the state Elections Board and Ethics Board. The Wisconsin Legislature has now officially confirmed all six to the new board.

The GAB is unique in the country; no other state has a board of this type whose members are all judges. "The goal was to eliminate even the appearance of political partisanship from decisions related to elections and ethics," said Chief Judge Tom Cane, who will begin his service on the GAB following his July 31 retirement from the Court of Appeals. "I believe the Legislature's strong support is an important vote of confidence in our impartial state judiciary."

The new members are:

	Judge Michael W. Brennan, who served on the Clark County Circuit Court from 1971-2001. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2014.
	Chief Judge Tom Cane, who served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals from 1981-2007 and on the Outagamie County Circuit Court from 1972-1981. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2013.
	Judge David G. Deininger, who served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals from 1996-2007 and on the Green County Circuit Court from 1994-1996. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2009.
	Judge William Eich, who served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals from 1985-2000 and on the Dane County Circuit Court from 1975-1985. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2010.
	Judge James B. Mohr, who served on the Vilas County Circuit Court from 1983-2004. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2011.
	Judge Gerald C. Nichol, who served on the Dane County Circuit Court from 1988-2004. His term on the GAB ends May 1, 2012.

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