Third Branch eNews

After seven years on the appellate court bench and 24 years on the circuit court bench, Judge Timothy G. Dugan retired on November 17. Dugan said he is most proud of the opportunity he has had to have a positive impact on the lives of so many people during his judicial career.

“I tried to recognize that each case was important to the parties involved no matter how small it may have seemed to others, be they civil parties, victims, and defendants,” he said. “I tried to be respectful and fair in my comments to all involved. I always met with jurors after trials, thanked them for their service, and answered their questions.”

The appreciation for this was expressed through letters Dugan received over the years from jurors, parties, victims, families, and even some defendants. He advises new judges to be prepared and treat each case before them with importance.

Dugan was first appointed to the Milwaukee Circuit Court in 1992 and was elected four times before he was appointed to the District I Court of Appeals in 2016. He served as an Associate Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College, Milwaukee Bar Association Board of Directors, Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC) member, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Executive Committee member, Wisconsin Trial Judges Association Board of Directors, and as the president of the Milwaukee Trial Judges Association.

According to Dugan, the biggest challenge he faced as a judge was when he was appointed in 1992 and served in the misdemeanor division, where the caseload was between 1,700 and 2,200 cases. Through hard work and cooperation among the judges, court staff, and attorneys, they were able to reduce it to 400 to 500 cases over a couple of years.

Dugan said he will miss the judges, court staff, and attorneys he has worked with over the years.

“I have made many friends while serving as a judge,” he said. “I enjoyed presiding over jury trials and will also miss interacting with jurors.”

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Lindsey C. Grady left the Branch 23 bench in November.

“This job (although it feels like so much more) has given me a wonderful perspective on how the court system affects the lives of all citizens,” Grady said in her resignation letter to Gov. Tony Evers. “That is a burden that I carried with great responsibility. Each lesson I learned along the way, I am grateful for.”

Grady was first elected in 2012 and reelected in 2018. She has served on the Uniform Bond Committee and the Juvenile Jury Instruction Committee and has been a member of the Association for Women Lawyers, Justinian Society, Fairchild Inns of Court, and Milwaukee Bar Association. Prior to her election to the circuit court, she worked in private practice, as a deputy register in probate for Milwaukee County, and as a guardian ad litem for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee. Since leaving the bench, she has returned to private practice.

Racine County Circuit Court Judge Maureen M. Martinez retired on November 17. Martinez was first appointed to the Branch 3 bench in 2019 and was elected in 2020. Prior to taking the bench, she served as an assistant district attorney and district attorney for Racine County.

Martinez said the adjustment from the district attorney’s office to the bench was a challenge. “Having spent 25 years in the DA’s office, I had to learn civil, family, and probate law,” Martinez said. “That was challenging, but also it was interesting. I was used to working in a big office, and being a judge is somewhat isolating.”

Martinez served on the committee to establish the Veteran’s Treatment Court for the Second Judicial District and then served as a staff member. She was the presiding judge of the county’s drug court. “This work is challenging but at the same time most satisfying,” she said. “I felt like I helped people in both those courts.”

Martinez said she would miss the people most, including the court staff and judges. She appreciates the time and guidance she received from her fellow judges, especially Racine County Circuit Court Judge Faye Flancher, and encourages new judges to find a mentor and ask a lot of questions.

In her retirement, Martinez said she is looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and riding her horse.

Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Bruce E. Schroeder, who served 40 years on the Branch 3 bench, retired on November 27. Schroeder is believed to be the longest-serving circuit court judge in Wisconsin. Prior to his appointment to the bench in 1983 by former Governor Tony Earl, Schroeder served as an assistant district attorney and district attorney for Kenosha County.

“I have always been impressed with his scholarship, his thoughtfulness, and his care for citizens of Kenosha,” fellow Kenosha County Judge and District Two Chief Judge Jason Rossell told Kenosha News. “As an attorney, I always knew that Judge Schroeder was prepared and was fully versed in the law. You had to be equally prepared and ready to answer good questions about how the law applied.”

Schroeder has served as a deputy chief judge for District Two and as a member of the Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC). He has presided over many high-profile cases, including the first murder trial of Mark Jensen and the more recent murder trials of Kyle Rittenhouse and Zachariah Anderson.

“He was dedicated, diligent, and efficient when he presided over a legal case in his courtroom,” Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas told Kenosha News. “He also was a mentor and reliable source of information for many young judges. He was always willing to hear cases for other judges when an emergency arose. He will be missed.”

“I’ve been blessed,” Schroeder was quoted as saying at a retirement celebration, according to the county website. “And one of my great blessings has been the people I’ve worked with. I’ve had a really fun time working here. I would recommend it to anybody.”

After serving ten years on the Barron County Branch 2 bench, Judge J.M. Bitney retired on September 15. Bitney was first appointed in 2013 and was elected in 2015. He had previously served as the Washburn County district attorney for 20 years.

“Kindness and understanding pair well with being upfront and honest with others, especially when holding them accountable,” Bitney offered as advice for judges. “Tell and show people that you genuinely care about them. Think outside the box, be creative, and use media (e.g., music videos, motivational speeches, clips, etc.) to drive your message home. Bring a therapy dog to work with you. They make everyone happier and more relaxed!”

Bitney said he is proud of his work on the treatment court to lift people up to be productive members of their families and communities once again. He is also proud of his work creating a courtroom atmosphere where people felt they were heard and respected, though he admits that at times, remaining patient with attorneys, clients, and pro se litigants could pose a challenge.

Bitney praised the dedicated public servants he has served with over the past 30 years. He said his colleagues and staff are what he will miss most, along with the children and families who have come through his courtroom.

“My final pearl of wisdom is simply this: in a world filled with givers and takers, be a giver!”