Thank you to everyone who attended Friday’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon and helped us celebrate our annual award winners: Hon. William J. Domina, Lifetime Achievement Award Attorney Julie M. Gay, Lifetime Achievement Award Attorney Donna J. Kuchler, Distinguished Member Award Fred Garcia, Waukesha County (ret.), Community Service Award Attorney Sarah B. Bondar, Rookie Read More
Please see the below message from Waukesha County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez regarding the hiring of WCBA Juvenile Section Chair Alina R. Flink as a circuit court commissioner: It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Attorney Alina R. Flink as Waukesha County’s newest court commissioner. Many of Read More
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, WCBA Board Member Michelle Fitzgerald and WCBA members Catherine La Fleur, Kristin Leaf, and Nicole Masnica were honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as 2026 Women in the Law. Please help us in congratulating Attorneys Fitzgerald, La Fleur, Leaf, and Masnica on their well-deserved recognition! WCBA Board Member Michelle Read More
You are cordially invited to our 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon to be held in the Waukesha County Courthouse training room (Room 0-1300) on Friday, May 8, 2026, at noon. Lunch will be provided. Come celebrate our distinguished award winners, meet the 2026-2027 WCBA officers and directors, and socialize with other members of Read More
Thank to everyone who helped make our April 17, 2026, Litigation Seminar held at the Frame Park Rotary Building a success! A special thank you to Litigation Seminar Guru Jesse Blocher for planning the CLE again this year, to Sarah Bondar for logistical support, and to all of our amazing presenters: Hon. Zachary Wittchow, AnnMarie Read More
Please see below message from Chief Deputy Register of Deeds Beth Zimmerman regarding a change to their document recording policy effective May 1, 2026. “We would like to inform you of an upcoming change to our document recording procedures, effective May 1, 2026. Pursuant to recent statutory revisions signed into law on April Read More
Please see the below announcement from the Honorable William J. Domina about his upcoming retirement. In addition to faithfully serving our community for decades, Judge Domina has long been a supporter of the WCBA and was the recipient of our Distinguished Member Award in 2016. He will be missed! ANNOUNCEMENT: THE HONORABLE WILLIAM Read More
Please see attached Order appointing Hon. Jack Pitzo presiding judge of the Family Division and Order appointing Hon. Jennifer R. Dorow presiding judge of the Juvenile Division effective immediately.
This is the last full week to register for the April 17th Litigation Seminar. Log into your WCBA account and register today!
Branch 3 Circuit Court Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has announced his retirement. See below for his retirement message. Judge Ramirez has been a bulwark of the Waukesha County bench for decades and will be greatly missed. I am announcing that I will retire from my position as Circuit Court Judge for Branch 3 in Read More
Please see message below from Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez about the upcoming retirement of Circuit Court Commissioner Kevin Costello and the posting of the court commissioner position. I am writing to share that Court Commissioner Kevin Costello has announced his retirement, with his final day of service being August 3rd. Please note that Read More
After a lengthy hiatus, the WCBA newsletter – The Scriptus – has returned! The most recent issue (with working hyperlinks) was sent to our member e-list. Didn’t get your copy via email? Email us at waukeshabar@gmail.com and we will ensure that your current email address is on the distribution list. Otherwise, a .pdf version Read More
Catholic Memorial High School (CMH) is currently seeking law firms to participate in its internship program for qualified senior students. Internships can be paid or unpaid. Click HERE for details. If you have further questions or are interested in participating, please contact Katie Warns Riesch, CMH Internship Coordinator, at KRiesch@catholicmemorial.net or 262-542-7101 ext. 563. Read More
Nominations are open for the annual WCBA Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Member, Promising New Lawyer, and Community Service Awards. Awards will be presented at the May 2026 WCBA Annual Meeting. Nominations are due on or before March 31, 2026. Complete the linked WCBA Annual Award Nomination Form and then scan and email the completed form and Read More
County Executive Paul Farrow has announced that Waukesha County facilities will be closed March 16, 2026, due to weather emergency. Click HERE to view the Order temporarily closing the Waukesha County Courthouse on March 16, 2026 signed by Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez. Based on this decision, all calendars will be rescheduled with the Read More
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 WCBA LITIGATION SEMINAR! Our annual litigation seminar will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Frame Park Rotary Building in Waukesha. We will be applying for 7 CLE credits, including 1 EPR credit. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Speakers to be announced prior to the seminar. Read More
Waukesha County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has issued the following Orders on the assignment of Family, Criminal, Juvenile, Guardianship, and Mental Commitment cases affecting Branches 2, 3, and 7. Click HERE to review the Order affecting Family, Criminal, and Juvenile cases and HERE to review the Order affecting Guardianship and Mental Commitment Read More
On Tuesday the Waukesha Common Council appointed longtime WCBA Member Lori Fabian as interim municipal judge for the City of Waukesha. Congratulations Lori!
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has issued a standing Order on the use of AI in Family Court. Click HERE to review the Order.
Nominations are open for the annual WCBA Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Member, Promising New Lawyer, and Community Service Awards. Awards will be presented at the May 2026 WCBA Annual Meeting. Nominations are due on or before March 31, 2026. Complete the linked WCBA Annual Award Nomination Form and then scan and email the completed form and Read More
From Waukesha County Clerk of Courts Monica Paz: County Executive Paul Farrow has announced that Waukesha County facilities will be closed tomorrow, January 23, 2026, due to extremely low temperatures and wind chills. Based on this decision, all calendars will be rescheduled with the exception of the essential hearings below: Lockups = The Read More
Waukesha County Circuit Court Chief Judge Paul Bugenhagen, Jr. has ordered the implementation of revised Family Division and Criminal Division local rules. The revised local rules will be effective as of January 21, 2026. Click on the links below to review the Orders and revised local rules. 26-SO-01 (67) In the Matter of: Adoption Read More
The U.S. District court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is seeking a full-time, term, judicial law clerk for Chief Judge Pamela Pepper. The duration of this position is one year, with possible extensions of up to a total of four years, at the judge’s discretion. A term law clerk assists the judge and Read More
The Waukesha County Bar Association extends our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Municipal Judge Steve C. Wimmer following his passing last week. Please click HERE for more information about Judge Wimmer’s life and legacy, upcoming funeral service, and memorial opportunities.
The Waukesha County Bar Association is pleased to invite you and your significant other to our 2025 Holiday Party at the fabulous Delafield Hotel on Thursday, December 11th from 5:30-9:00 p.m. Registered attendees will receive a drink ticket good for beer, wine, a mixed drink, or soda. A cash bar will also be available. Appetizers will be served, Read More
Euchre Club is back! Don’t miss a fun evening with colleagues, judges, court staff, and more. No experience necessary. Details below. See you there! What? Euchre Club When? Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Where? Magellan’s on Main Street 370 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI Who? Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend!
The WCBA held its annual Ethics Seminar on November 5, 2025, at the Ingleside Hotel. Attendees enjoyed continental breakfast, fabulous popcorn courtesy of Dewitt, LLP, and informative and entertaining presentations. Thank you to everyone who attended, to Ingleside staff for their hospitality, and to WCBA Board Members Kate Spitz and Remzy Bitar for planning Read More
The WCBA Criminal Law Section is hosting its next Judicial Roundtable November 20, 2025, from 11:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room G55 of the Waukesha County Courthouse/Administration Building. Bring a brown bag lunch and any questions you want answered. Have a question or want to submit a topic? Contact Section Chair JP Marchan Read More
Mark your calendars! The 2025 WCBA Holiday Party will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at The Delafield Hotel. More details to come soon. Hope to see you all there!
Register today for the November 5, 2025, WCBA Ethics Seminar at the Ingleside Hotel. See details and speaker schedule below. The ethics seminar is FREE to current WCBA members. Register online on the Events page by clicking HERE. You must be logged into your WCBA membership account to register for the ethics seminar. Not Read More
WCBA Director and District 6 Board of Governors Representative Jesse Blocher from Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. was a recent guest on the State Bar’s Bottom Up podcast. Blocher, the author of Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability, talked about current issues in products liability law and the impact of legal writing. Click HERE to listen Read More
Don’t miss out on Judges’ Night 2025 to be held October 15, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Tuscan Hall. Click HERE to register today!
Registration for the November 5, 2025, WCBA Ethics Seminar is now open! See details below. The Ethics Seminar is FREE to current WCBA members. Please register online on the Events page by clicking HERE. Not a member yet or need to renew your membership? Click HERE. See you on November 5th!
Please see linked Order from Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez regarding the new Branch 8 courtroom assignment effective September 22, 2025.
The Waukesha County Bar Association welcomes the Honorable Zachary A. Wittchow to the Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6. Judge Wittchow was sworn in by the Honorable Richard H. Marschall, Administrative Patent Judge, U.S. Patent and Appeal Board, in front of friends, family, and members of the bench and bar at his investiture on Thursday, Read More
The Waukesha County Bar Association welcomes the Honorable David W. Maas to the Waukesha County Judiciary. Judge Maas was sworn in by Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez in front of friends, family, and members of the bench and bar at his investiture on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in the William G. Callow ceremonial courtroom. Congratulations Read More
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 Read More
Please see linked Order from Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez regarding in-person appearances in the family division effective September 1, 2025.
Please see linked invitation to Judge Brad Schimel’s going away party July 31, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the courthouse cafeteria. Thank you Judge Schimel for your service to the Waukesha County bench and bar!
Please see the linked invitation for more details about the Investiture of David W. Maas to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 4, on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Courtroom 3-1200.
Please see the linked invitation for more details about the Investiture of Zachary A. Wittchow to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 6, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Courtroom 3-1200.
The 2025 WCBA award winners were recently honored at our May 20, 2025, annual meeting at Smoke on the Water in Okauchee. Congratulations to our 2025 award winners! Lifetime Achievement Award: Cheryl A. Gemignani Distinguished Member Award: Jesse Blocher
All WCBA members are invited to attend the annual meeting of the Waukesha County Bar Association on May 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Smoke on the Water in Okauchee Lake. Appetizers/buffet will be provided. The agenda will include: State of the Bar Election of Officers / Directors Presentation of Awards Courthouse Update Read More
Please see the linked invitation for more details about the Investiture of J. Scott Wagner to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 1, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
Congratulations to long-time WCBA member Lori Fabian who was recently named a 2025 Women in the Law Honoree by the Wisconsin Law Journal. Congratulations Lori! Lori received her award on April 24, 2025, at Harley Davison’s Rumble in Milwaukee. WCBA members attend the April 24, 2025, event to celebrate Lori’s achievement. (Left to right) WCBA Read More
Come celebrate Judge Bohren and his distinguished career at his upcoming retirement parties! Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Administrative Building, Room G55 (Judge Bohren’s Retirement Invite Onsite) Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuscan Hall (RSVP required) (Judge Bohren’s Retirement Invite Offsite) Click the links Read More
The Waukesha County Bar Association hosted a judicial candidate forum at the Waukesha County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Thank you to all five candidates for Waukesha County Circuit Court – K. Scott Wagner running unopposed for Branch 1, David Maas and incumbent Bridget Schoenborn running for Branch 4, and former judge Frederick Read More
WCBA Board Considering Dues Increase Please read this important message. Message and Agenda from President Aaron Hall Dear WCBA Members: For the past several months the Board of Directors (the “Board”) for the Waukesha County Bar Association (“WCBA”) has been considering an increase in the annual membership dues. The genesis of this inquiry Read More
WCBA members AnnMarie Sylla, Lori Fabian, Sarah Bondar, Breanne Bucher, Christine Hansen and Alexis Garuz celebrated women in the law by attending the Association for Women Lawyers annual Women Judges’ Night at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Be sure to recognize the women lawyers and judges in your life this Read More
Thank you to everyone who attended the WCBA Litigation Seminar on February 25, 2025. The WCBA will be submitting the CLE for 7 credits, including 1 EPR credit. Thank you as well to all of our wonderful presenters: Cmmr. Daniel Rieck, Jacob Manian, Lars Gulbrandsen, Matthew Falk (who also had great swag!), Judge Bridget Schoenborn, Read More
Please join us Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. in Room G-55 of the Waukesha County Courthouse for our 2025 judicial candidate forum with the 5 candidates for Waukesha County Circuit Court in the spring election. Moderated by WCBA Member Pat Schott.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR OUR ANNUAL LITIGATION SEMINAR! This year’s litigation seminar will be Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from approximately 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Marriott West in Waukesha. We anticipate requesting approval for 7 CLE credits including 1 EPR credit. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided! Here is the tentative schedule: Read More
Please consider volunteering as a presiding or scoring judge for the February 1, 2025, Mock Trial Competition at the Waukesha County Courthouse. The following is a request from coordinator Karyn Youso with more details: Dear All, Happy Holidays! I hope this email finds everyone safe and healthy as we close out 2024. The Read More
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 WCBA Holiday Party. A special thank you to those who helped make this year’s event a success including our generous sponsors Prairie Trust and Amundsen Davis and WCBA Board Member Sarah Bondar who took the lead on planning and coordinating this year’s party. Attached are some photos Read More
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is pleased to share the below message. On September 25, 2024, the U.S. Senate confirmed Byron B. Conway as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Judge Conway fills the Green Bay Division seat vacated when Judge Read More
Join us on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse 1893 in Waukesha for our annual Holiday Party! Doors (and bar) open at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers beginning at 6:00 p.m. Members and spouses are invited. Come celebrate the holiday season with the Waukesha Bench and fellow members of the bar! Read More
Euchre Club is back! Don’t miss a fun evening with colleagues, judges, court staff, and more. No experience necessary. Details below. See you there! What? Euchre Club When? Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Where? Magellan’s on Main Street 370 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI Who? Everyone is welcome. Bring a friend!
Join the Criminal Law Section for their next Criminal/Traffic Judicial Roundtable on October 30, 2024, in Room G55 of the courthouse. Check-in begins at 11:45 a.m. with introductions starting at noon. “Jimmy John’s” lunch available (nominal donation requested). Click HERE for more details. RSVP today to Criminal Law Section Chair John P. Marchan at Read More
Registration for the November 5, 2024, WCBA Ethics Seminar is now open! See details below. The Ethics Seminar is FREE to current WCBA members. Please register online on the Events page by clicking HERE. Not a member yet or need to renew your membership? Click HERE. See you on November 5th!
Thank you to everyone who attended Judges’ Night October 9, 2024. Below are a few photos of this year’s event for those who couldn’t make it out. Renew your membership HERE today to not miss out on our upcoming Ethics Seminar on November 5, 2024, and Holiday Party on December 12, 2024!
Our 2024 Holiday Party will be held Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at the Historic Courthouse 1893. More details to come soon. Hope to see you all there!
The WCBA will be hosting its annual Judges’ Night at Tuscan Hall on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Judges, members, and spouses are cordially invited to attend. To register go to the Events page by clicking HERE. Hope to see you there!
Please see the following linked invitation for more details regarding the Investiture of Judge Bridget Schoenborn to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 4, on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Please see the following linked invitation for more details regarding the Investiture of Jack Pitzo to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 12, on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Please see the linked ORDER regarding reassignment of Drug Treatment Court cases effective July 2, 2024.
Interested in pro bono service opportunities? Please consider helping out at the Family Legal Clinic at the Waukesha County Courthouse. The clinic is sponsored by the Waukesha County Clerk of Court’s Office with financial assistance from the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Volunteer Lawyer’s Program. The program provides self-represented litigants with Waukesha County Family Court cases Read More
Please join us on April 29th for a Criminal Judicial Roundtable event! Please see attached Flyer for more details. Lunch will be served!
North Pillar Brewing Company – 212 East North Street in Waukesha All are welcome for Euchre! Don’t miss a fun evening with colleagues, judges, court staff and more! Spouses are welcome! Join us on Wednesday, March 6th at 5:30pm. Beginners are welcome!
Nominations for the 2024 WCBA Lifetime Achievement, Community Service and Distinguished Member Awards are now open! Please complete an Annual Award Nomination Form to nominate a candidate and return the form to the WCBA by email (waukeshabar@gmail.com) no later than April 17, 2024. The award recipients will be honored at our Annual Meeting on May 16th.
Please see the below linked Order approving changes to the Civil Division Local Rules. The revised rules take effect 8/01/2023. 23-SO-11 (67)
Please review the following linked Invitation for more details regarding Judge Cody J. Horlacher’s investiture to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 7, on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
Due to the pending courthouse construction, the professional jail visitation unit that is located in conference room C105 will be removed on June 29th. Please note that you may need to make other arrangements for jail meetings. Any further questions, please contact the Clerk of Courts at (262) 548-7582.
Please see the linked ORDER regarding upcoming changes to the Waukesha County family bench.
The Honorable Paul Bugenhagen has been recently appointed Chief Judge of the 3rd Judicial Administrative District, effective August 1, 2023. See a copy of the Supreme Court’s ORDER here. Congratulations Judge Bugenhagen!
Thank you to all of those who joined us for the judicial candidate forum on March 21, 2023! And a big thank you to the two candidates for their time and willingness to take questions from our members about their respective backgrounds, experience, and goals if elected to Circuit Court Branch 7. Below are a Read More
Save the date for a 1-hour lunchtime CLE, co-hosted by the WCBA and Judges Bugenhagen and Melvin. We will seek approval for 1 credit. Where: Courtroom SC-3122 When: April 17th, 2023 at 12 P.M. Topics to be covered include: Criminal law generally Courtroom technology and how to best utilize it Presenting, marking, organizing exhibits in Read More
Please review the following linked Invitation for more details regarding Judge Frederick J. Strampe’s investiture to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 7, on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
The State Bar is seeking volunteer judges for the 2023 Waukesha Regional High School Mock Trial Competition! Mock trial is back in person, and this year will be held at the Waukesha County Courthouse on February 4th, 2023. The event is being coordinated by Michelle Fitzgerald and Karyn Youso. The easiest way to sign up Read More
Join us for our next Euchre outing at Raised Grain Brewing Co. on Wednesday, February 15th starting at 5:00 p.m. All skill levels are welcome – Judge Aprahamian is a patient teacher. See you there!
WCBA members are invited to tour the Waukesha County Jail at 12:00 p.m. on February 23, 2023. The tour will show at least two of the living pods, and jail staff will review the intake process, Huber rules, and other jail processes. More details, including tour meeting location to follow. Thank you to Judge Melvin Read More
Thank you to everyone who attended our Holiday Party on December 8th at the Historic Courthouse 1893, and to the many members who donated non-perishable food or cash donations to the Food Pantry Serving Waukesha County! It was a beautiful event, and an estimated 150 pounds of food and over $1,800 was donated to the Read More
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Buy your ticket HERE for the Holiday Party by November 29th! We are excited to announce that our 2022 Holiday Party will be held at the beautiful Historic Courthouse (LINK) in Waukesha on December 8, 2022 from 5-8:30 p.m.!
Please welcome Tammy Kruczynski as the new Chief Deputy Clerk to oversee the Waukesha County Civil/Family Division, beginning Monday, October 10, 2022. Tammy is currently the Senior Administrator for the Milwaukee Clerk of Circuit Courts. She brings a combined total of nearly 25 years’ worth of managerial experience with the Milwaukee Child Support and Milwaukee Read More
Board members Christine Hansen, Sarah Ponath (Treasurer), and AnnMarie Sylla (President) along with Josh Sylla (member), Sarah Bondar (MU Law student, 2L) and her husband Duane Bondar at the Association for Women Lawyers Annual Meeting and Awards on September 7, 2022. AnnMarie Sylla was honored as the 2022 Mentoring Award winner, and Sarah Bondar was Read More
SAVE THE DATE! The WCBA will be hosting its annual Judges Night at Tuscan Hall on Thursday, October 27th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. More information to follow via email, and registration for the event will be open by September 9th. Check back soon for more details!
Attention all WCBA Members: Please save the date for our annual Litigation Seminar on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Marriot hotel in Waukesha. We anticipate approval for 7 CLE credits including 1 EPR. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided! More details regarding registration and speakers to Read More
Please review the linked Invitation for more details regarding Judge Lazar’s investiture to the Court of Appeals, District II on Thursday, August 18th at 4:30 p.m.
The State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors (BOG) District #6 (Waukesha County) presently has one opening for a representative. Normally, the term of office is two years, commencing on July 1 following the spring elections. When a vacancy occurs, a new representative steps in and serves the remaining term. In this situation, the representative Read More
I am privileged to now say “Hello!” to you as President of the Waukesha County Bar Association for the 2022-2023 year. I wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself and the Board of Directors to our new and returning members, and offer what I hope to be some useful information going into this Read More
Please see the linked Order announcing Judge Domina as the new Presiding Judge of Waukesha County, effective August 1, 2022.
Congratulations to our award recipients for the 2021-2022 year: Distinguished Member: Kelly L. Neitzke Lifetime Achievement: J. Steven Tikalsky Our Annual Meeting was held and the awards were distributed on May 13, 2022. Photos of the award recipients and their respective presenters are below! Thank you to our membership for Read More
Please see below links for three Orders recently signed by Chief Judge Jennifer R. Dorow in anticipation of the upcoming judicial rotation occurring August 1, 2022. As the date approaches, the Clerk of Courts will provide an updated phone list for courthouse staff. 22-SO-04 (67) 22-SO-05 (67) OTC 22-SO-06 (67) DTC
Congratulations to Pepper, the Victim Witness Specialist Labrador, on completing her first year of service with Waukesha County!
Interested in taking court appointments in the new year? If so, here are links to two forms: 2022 Appointed Attorney Agreement and the 2022 Appointed Attorney Profile Information. To be considered for the court appointed attorney’s list, please complete the two forms and return electronically to Kevin Smith, Programs & Projects Analyst, at kevin.smith@wicourts.gov along Read More
Date: January 21st, 2022 | 8:00am to 2:00pm Location: Waukesha County Communication Center, 1621 Woodburn Road, Waukesha 53188 Cost: The seminar is being offered at no cost for current Waukesha County Bar Members Topics: Family First Act, Legislative Update, Clerk of Courts Business Center Presentation/Q&A, Confidentiality in the Digital World/Ethics and Technology (as it relates to juvenile Read More
Our hearts are with the greater Waukesha community today as we grieve together over the senseless injuries and loss of life caused during our treasured annual holiday parade. Please keep the families of the victims of this tragedy in your thoughts this holiday season. Phone numbers for the Waukesha County Health & Human Services Read More
Message from Chief Judge Dorow: “Waukesha County has been engaged in a series of temporary reforms to address the backlog of pending matters in the criminal division. This includes the movement of a judge from the family division to the criminal division. These reforms include the hiring of two, part-time court commissioners to primarily handle Read More
Please join us in congratulating Peter Tempelis of the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office on his selection as a 2021 Legal Innovator award winner! The wisbar.org Inside Track article with more detail on Attorney Tempelis’ accomplishments and the list of other 2021 award winners can be found here.
On Tuesday, October 12th, Waukesha County celebrated completion of the Secure Courtroom addition to the Waukesha County Courthouse. This concludes Phase One of the Courthouse Project. The next phase, to renovate the original 1959 Courthouse, will begin in 2022. Click HERE for the full press release.
Registration is now open! Join us for our 2021 Ethics Seminar, via Zoom, on 11/18/21. https://waukeshabar.org/product/waukesha-county-bar-association-annual-ethics-seminar/ Please note, registration this year is going to be ONLINE ONLY. Sign up today!
Please see the below-linked Orders on behalf of Chief Judge Dorow regarding a number of changes that will be effective January 3, 2022: 21-SO-12 (67): Courtroom Assignments in Secure Courts Addition 21-SO-13 (67): Reassigning Caseload and Courthouse Courtroom Assignments 21-SO-14 (67): Reassigning the Guardianship Caseload in Waukesha County
The judiciary and the Chief Deputy Clerk are requesting input regarding a proposed Civil Division local rule (6.3) change. Please contact Jesse Blocher at jblocher@habush.com if you would like to provide feedback regarding this proposed change. Chief Deputy Clerk Backus has requested feedback be provided no later than Friday, September 10th. The proposed rule Read More
Please take a moment to welcome Elizabeth “Liz” Adams, the new Clerk of Juvenile Court! Liz will be starting on September 1st. Liz currently is a supervisor with Juvenile Court Operations in Milwaukee where she has spent the last two years overseeing the state permanency contract between the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Read More
Please consider volunteering to represent the plaintiff in one of the below cases. The court understands that the issues may not be familiar to you, which is why the court offers helpful resources, including connecting volunteer lawyers with “mentors” who have significant prior experience. Mediations in particular, which are typically conducted via Zoom and last Read More
Please take note of the Amended Meet and Confer Order in branches I and IV of the Civil Division, dated June 30, 2021.
As of June 21st, WCS will resume preliminary breath testing (PBT) on all participants ordered to absolute sobriety, which includes testing at each scheduled supervision appointment as well as randomly through the use of the drug testing line. As of July 10th, random weekend alcohol and drug testing of participants will resume as well.
Please click here to see a job posting for the position of Director and Qualified Tax Expert with Legal Action of Wisconsin.
To all WCBA members: This will be my last “official” action as President of the Waukesha County Bar Association. Jessica Klein will take over as President going forward, and I will move to Past-President. AnnMarie Sylla has agreed to act as President-elect, and Corey Montiho steps into the role of Secretary. Please congratulate Jessica, Read More
Did you know our CLEs from this past year are available on demand? Here’s the information to access them: 2020 Ethics Seminar (3 EPR credits) To view: Waukesha County Bar Virtual Ethics Seminar 2020 – YouTube Sign-in: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oGBn-b9Y9gUNe5Y6B19upoG1n3il5ni_Rd-yziTubXY/edit?usp=sharing Materials: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/acm3fv2n1r0m9bp/AAD-y7ecSKzXQW3Kk4XJYIpea?dl=0 Lineup: – Cathrine Davies, Reinhart, Boerner Van Deuren, “Minimizing Your Practice Risk – Read More
We’re very excited to have you join us for Waukesha County Bar Association’s 2021 Litigation Seminar on Tuesday, May 4! The information to view the seminar on Tuesday is as follows: View the Presentation Due to the number of attendees, we will be broadcasting the seminar on Youtube. You will not be on Read More
Please click here to view a job posting for Walworth County Judicial Court Commissioner.
To: Waukesha County Justice Partners From: Chief Judge Jennifer Dorow Re: Court Commissioner Announcement Date: April 22, 2021 It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Attorney Chris Bailey as Waukesha County’s newest court commissioner. Many of you know Attorney Bailey from his work here in Waukesha County. Attorney Bailey is Read More
Please click the below links to view job postings with Legal Action of Wisconsin. Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Director & Qualified Tax Expert Consumer Law Staff Attorney
Please click here to see a job posting for Court Commissioner for the Waukesha County Circuit Court.
Please see the below information to register for a Candidate Forum jointly hosted by Wisconsin Association for Justice and Wisconsin Defense Counsel. Event RSVP link: Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III Forum [wisjustice.org] You may also email the RSVP to Bryan Roessler, Executive Director of Wisconsin Association for Justice, at bryan@wisjustice.org, or by calling Bryan Read More
Legal Action of Wisconsin has current job openings! Click on the links below to view the job positing for each open position. Law Clerk – Green Bay and Milwaukee Offices Law Clerk – Madison Office Law Clerk – Racine Office Law Clerk – Student Legal Aid Legal Action of Wisconsin Legal Secretary – Bilingual Outreach Read More
The Waukesha County Bar Association is pleased to share the announcement of Monica Paz as the Clerk of Circuit Court for Waukesha County. Please click here for the official announcement.
Please click here to download an Excel file showing the survey results, as of January 8, 2021, for the Opportunities and Challenges in Litigation During the Pandemic Survey conducted by the Milwaukee, Waukesha and Eastern District Bar Associations, and the Thomas Fairchild Inn of Court.
If you or another attorney you know provided 50 hours or more of qualifying pro bono legal services in 2020, make sure to certify for the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society. What pro bono services qualify? “Qualifying pro bono legal services” means the direct provision of legal services without fee or expectation of fee, or Read More
Please click here to view an informational flyer regarding Wisconsin Court System’s 2021 sessions for guardian ad litem training.
The Waukesha County Judiciary is in the process of establishing its 2021 List of Attorneys interested in accepting Court Appointments to serve as Guardians ad Litem or Advocate Counsel in criminal, family, civil, juvenile and probate cases filed in Waukesha County. Any attorney who was on the 2020 Appointment List has already been contacted directly. Read More
Please click the below link to complete a short survey (five to ten minutes) aimed at identifying what the bench and bar think of a variety of workarounds that have been put in place to address the challenges of the pandemic, and which, if any, should be abandoned, tweaked or maintained once it has been Read More
Thanks for signing up to attend the Waukesha County Bar Association’s Annual Ethics Seminar on November 10, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. The seminar will be held virtually this year, and we have a great lineup for you. The schedule is as follows, with links to each presenter’s presentation materials in the blue text following: Read More
Click on the below links to see job postings for positions currently open with Legal Action of Wisconsin. Barriers to Employment Staff Attorney – Madison Office Paralegal (LTE) – All Locations Staff Attorney (LTE) – All Locations
Please click here to see an order from Chief Judge Dorow in the matter of: rescinding temporary measures on warrants issued for certain offenses.
Please see the below resources for juror safety and remote appearances in Waukesha County Circuit Court: Click the following link to watch a Juror Safety YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihrhOcC2XIA&feature=youtu.be [youtube.com]. Here is the link on the Waukesha County Clerk of Court website for Instructions on How to Appear Remotely for your clients: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/circuitcourts/ [waukeshacounty.gov]. Read More
Please click here to see the outline for the CLE presentation hosted by the Waukesha County Bar Association on September 17, 2020: Managing Malpractice Risks – Common Pitfalls in Law Practice During the COVID Era and Beyond.
The below message regarding scheduling matters with the Waukesha County Circuit Court is from Monica Paz, Interim Clerk of Circuit Court: As Courts have started to stack their calendars, staff in a number of divisions have attempted to get matters scheduled with a majority accomplished via email. Unfortunately, a number of attorneys/parties are not responding Read More
Legal Action of Wisconsin is hiring! Please click here to review the job posting for the position of Staff Attorney – Crime Victims’ Rights Project. The application deadline is Friday, September 11, 2020.
The Waukesha County Civil Division judiciary has approved a process to ensure exhibits are appropriately shared among all parties in Small Claims, Eviction and Injunction matters throughout the duration of hearings that are held remotely. Please find the Injunction exhibit process here, and the Small Claims and Eviction exhibit process here.
Please be advised that the Notice and Order for All Cases Assigned to Judge Brad D. Schimel Branch #6 dated August 27, 2020 has been STAYED UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT.
Please join us in warmly welcoming the Hon. J. Arthur Melvin III to the Waukesha County Circuit Court Bench. Judge Melvin is starting his rotation in the criminal/traffic division, and is assigned to Branch 5. Welcome Judge Melvin!
We are very excited to announce that the Waukesha Bench has agreed to participate in a series of virtual roundtables this year. Below is the schedule of dates and participants. These events will be open to members only, where you can get firsthand information on the current state of affairs at the Waukesha County Courthouse Read More
On Monday, August 3, a voluntary eFiling pilot program will begin in Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III, which serves the northern half of Wisconsin. Attorneys who want to try out appellate eFiling can use their existing eCourts accounts to file new cases or opt in to pending cases to file new documents. Appellate Read More
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our regular events for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 years have been canceled or postponed. Please check back regularly for updates! Our Fall Ethics Seminar will be held on November 10, 2020, likely via Zoom video conference. Tickets will be available later this summer/early fall. Our Read More
Please view the following updated link for more details regarding incoming Judge Melvin’s judicial investiture ceremony scheduled for August 7, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Please note the NEW location for this event, with a reception to follow at the Clarke Hotel. Details and a map are linked HERE.
Please see the following Order which addresses the updated operating plan for Waukesha County Circuit Court proceedings, issued by Judge Dorow on June 19th: Updated COVID19 Order
Please click HERE for a press release with details regarding increased Waukesha County courthouse hours and functions effective May 11, 2020.
Please review this ORDER issued by Chief Judge Dorow regarding the emergency temporary measures now in effect in Waukesha County due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details on any specific case, please call the Branch office to which your case is assigned. UPDATE: Please click HERE to read an explanatory memorandum from our Read More
The Mediation and Restorative Justice Center is hosting a 2-day training workshop on mediation and conflict resolution techniques on March 19th and 20th, 2020 at the WCS Administration Building in Milwaukee. Please see THIS BROCHURE for more details. The MRJC has applied for 13 CLE credits for this 2-day workshop.
Please see below a memo from Corporation Counsel regarding upcoming changes to child support fees in NIVD cases: NIVD Child Support Memo
The WCBA is bringing back Thursday Socials, starting Thursday, October 3rd at Raised Grain Brewing Company here in Waukesha. Join your fellow bar members and judiciary for casual conversation, appetizers and great local beer from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. No cost to attend, and there will be a drawing for prizes! More details HERE. Please Read More
Please see pamphlet linked below for more information regarding the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center’s upcoming two-day mediation and dispute resolution workshop on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, 2019: MRJC Training September 2019
Please see below for recent announcements from Legal Action of Wisconsin regarding available Staff Attorney positions: Legal Action DOES Project Staff Attorney ( 1/6/20)