Madison, WI – State Bar of Wisconsin President Ralph Cagle has issued the following statement regarding the death of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks.
“On behalf of the State Bar of Wisconsin, I would like to express my sincere sadness over the recent passing of Justice N. Patrick Crooks. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Justice Crooks’ family during this difficult time.
“As the legal community reflects upon Justice Crooks and his 38 years on the bench, I think we all can agree that he was both thoughtful and deliberate.
“Anyone who argued cases before Justice Crooks knew he was an important decision maker, and stood for balance on the bench.
For more information contact Katie Stenz, public relations coordinator, State Bar of Wisconsin. She can be reached at org kstenz wisbar wisbar kstenz org, or by phone at (608) 250-6025.
“During his nearly two decades on the supreme court, Justice Crooks demonstrated an unmatched love of the profession and the law. His great wit and compassion will certainly be missed.
“We will continue to offer our support to the state’s highest court during this time, and will do whatever we can to help further the administration of justice.”
Crooks’ time on the bench began in 1978, when he was elected to the Brown County Circuit Court. He was re-elected twice more, once in 1985 and again in 1991. In 1996, Crooks began his first of two supreme court terms.
A Green Bay native and St. Norbert College graduate, Crooks received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame. After graduation, he worked in a Green Bay law firm before going on active duty in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After finishing training at Ft. Benning, Ga., to become an infantry officer, he attended the Army’s legal school at the University of Virginia. He then served for two-and-a-half years at the Pentagon in the Army’s Office of the Judge Advocate General.
# # #
