On a solemn September morning, the Juneau County community gathered to pay tribute to the late Judge John Pier Roemer, a man whose dedication to justice and public service left an indelible mark on the county. The courthouse where he once presided was officially renamed the John Pier Roemer Justice Center, a lasting tribute to his years of dedicated service.
For the first time in more than a century, Pierce County will be home to a new judicial facility. Soon, ground will break on the new facility following a decisive vote by the Pierce County Board.
In a show of unified support for the backbone of our justice system, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Governor Tony Evers, and the Wisconsin Legislature have all issued new proclamations designating September as Juror Appreciation Month in Wisconsin. This month-long celebration highlighted the critical role of jurors in upholding justice and preserving democratic values.
Four of Wisconsin’s nine judicial districts are welcoming new deputy chief judges, bringing fresh leadership to help navigate the evolving challenges of the state’s courts. SCR 70.26 authorizes a chief judge to appoint a deputy chief judge to provide assistance in administrative duties. The new additions will ensure the continued efficiency and innovation of court operations within their respective judicial districts.
Brown County’s legal community welcomes a new face to the bench as Samantha Wagner was appointed to the Branch 4 Circuit Court bench in late August. Wagner will fill the vacancy left by Judge Kendall M. Kelley’s resignation, serving a term that runs through July 31, 2025.
Julie Genovese, Chief Judge for District 5, and District Court Administrator Amber Peterson attended the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Professionals (NAPCO) Court Leadership Academy & Conference in Denver from August 26-28. The theme of the conference was “Leading in Times of Unprecedented Change.”
The Wisconsin State Law Library will be officially renamed to the Lavinia Goodell Law Library following a ceremony to be held on Monday, September 30, at noon. Goodell, who became Wisconsin’s first female attorney in 1874, played a pivotal role in breaking barriers for women in the legal profession.
The renaming ceremony will feature remarks from a variety of speakers who will highlight Goodell’s trailblazing contributions and the lasting impact of women in law. An update on this event will be in the next edition of the Third Branch Newsletter. More information about Lavinia Goodell’s life and work can be found at LaviniaGoodell.com.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler is pictured with other female Supreme Court Justices from around the country at a recent meeting of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), which is part of the National Center for State Courts. CCJ is focused on improving state courts, especially in the areas of assisting our most vulnerable citizens in guardianship, mental health, and substance abuse cases.
Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn has been selected as the 2024 Howard J. Trienens Visiting Judicial Scholar at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. A native of the Milwaukee area, Justice Hagedorn was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2019 after serving on the Court of Appeals. He will address the Northwestern Law community as part of a program that highlights leading jurists and their perspectives on the judicial process and contemporary legal issues.
Registration is still open for the Office of Lawyer Regulation Ethics School. The in-person seminar offers 3 CLE/EPR and 1 LAU credit. OLR staff will lead discussions on the Rules of Professional Conduct, focusing on lawyer and staff well-being, ethical considerations during representation, and the impact of personal conduct on professional responsibilities. Ethics School is available in multiple locations and dates throughout October and November:
Registration fees vary, and paralegal students can attend for free. Register here.
The Honorable Willis J. Zick, who passed away on August 18, 2024, left a lasting mark on the Wisconsin Court System after his nearly 15-year tenure as a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge and his subsequent two decades of continued legal work. Elected in 1979, Zick was known for his intellect and fairness on the bench.
