March 4, 2009 – The Judge of the Year Award honors an outstanding circuit court trial judge who has exceeded the call of judicial office and who has improved the judicial system in the past year. Tom R. Wolfgram, who has served on the bench since 1994, is praised for his patience at giving litigants the opportunity to make a good record and his diligence at setting forth findings of fact as well as conclusions of law that demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the appropriate legal standards and how they interact with the matter presented. His peers often look to him for guidance on judicial ethics.
Tom R. Wolfgram
Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge
2008 Judge of the Year
The Judge of the Year Award honors an outstanding
circuit court trial judge who has exceeded the call of judicial office
and who has improved the judicial system in the past year.
March 4, 2009 – Tom R.
Wolfgram, who has served on the bench since 1994, is praised
for his patience at giving litigants the opportunity to make a good
record and his diligence at setting forth findings of fact as well as
conclusions of law that demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the
appropriate legal standards and how they interact with the matter
presented. His peers often look to him for guidance on judicial
ethics.
Wolfgram received his B.S. from the U.W.-Oshkosh in 1974 and his J.D
Marquette University in 1977. He served as assistant district attorney
in Ozaukee and Washington counties from 1977 – 1985 and as Ozaukee
County District Attorney from 1986 – 1988. He went into private
practice in 1988 until his appointment to Ozaukee County Circuit Court,
Branch 2, in 1994. He is the presiding judge and was elected in 1995,
2001, and 2007.
Wolfgram is a past president of the Ozaukee County Bar Association
and a presenter at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Seminar.
Active in judicial affairs, he is chair of the local Sentencing
Guidelines Committee, a frequent speaker at civic and school events, and
has been instrumental in hosting a variety of events to enhance public
awareness of and trust in the judicial system.
Wolfgram often assists local bars in their efforts to aid and support
mock trial activities. He also designs and hosts annual “Law
Day” events to raise public awareness of the role of law in the
foundation of our country and to recognize its importance for
society.
“Judge Wolfgram always takes the time in court to make sure
that litigants understand what has transpired, that victims know that
their interests have been considered, and that defendants truly
understand why they have received particular sentences,” notes
Assistant District Attorney Adam Y. Gerol, Milwaukee County. “He
never misses an opportunity to teach and instruct, taking the time to
set forth his reasoning and is willing to explain why the law or the
proper exercise of discretion has compelled a particular result.
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