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Judge Dorothy L. Bain, who has served on the bench in Marathon County for 11 years, will resign effective Friday, Aug. 29. Bain is stepping down to take time to fully recover from a brain bleed (similar to a stroke) that she suffered in December 2006. "I have loved working as a judge and will miss all of the dear friends I have made in the court system over the years," Bain said. "It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the people of Wisconsin and the citizens of Marathon County."

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson praised Bain for her years of service. "Judge Dorothy Bain is a personal friend and a respected colleague and I shall miss her. She was an outstanding chief judge and an outstanding judge on the trial court. I wish her the very best as she focuses her energies on making a full recovery."

Bain was appointed to the bench in 1997 after working for eight years in private practice. She won election in 1998 and 2004. In 2003, the Supreme Court selected Bain to serve as chief judge for the Ninth Judicial District, comprised of the branches of circuit court in the following 12 northeast Wisconsin counties: Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Oneida, Price, Shawano, Taylor, and Vilas counties. Chief judges handle a variety of tasks related to budget, caseload management, and supervision of personnel.

Bain's current term runs through 2010. Branch 1 business will be handled by reserve judges until Gov. Jim Doyle appoints a successor.