Civil Local Rule Change & Mediators Needed
Please read the following message from the Honorable Michael P. Maxwell, Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, regarding changes to mandatory mediation in civil cases and a request for panel mediators.
The Waukesha County Circuit Court judges have approved for first reading the linked Civil Local Rule 6.4 which concerns mandatory mediation in small claims cases. Please forward any comments on the rule change to Chief Deputy Clerk Tammy Kruczynski at Tammy.Kruczynski1@wicourts.gov. The judges anticipate final approval of the rule pending any changes sometime in mid-August.
The Court has moved to a panel model for small claims mediations where claims are above $5,000. (Below $5,000 claims are being handled by the Marquette Law School Mediation Clinic.) Recently retired civil litigator, John Griner, is serving as the panel coordinator and a mediator. The Court would like to have a panel of 4 to 6 mediators for the program to work effectively. The Civil Division formally started using the panel on July 15, 2025.
The Court is looking for experienced civil litigators who are willing to serve on the mediation panel. The role would be perfect for someone nearing retirement who wants to downsize his or her practice. If anyone is interested and has significant civil litigation experience, he or she can contact John Griner directly at 262-450-1702 or waukeshamediations@gmail.com to find out more about what is involved.