Judge Barbara Kluka brought her passion for teaching to the
bench
Feb. 9, 2011 – Retired Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge
Barbara A. Kluka has always had a passion for
teaching. She brought that passion to the bench – always taking
the time to guide new attorneys in her courtroom. Kluka holds the distinction of being the first
woman to serve on the Kenosha County Circuit Court. She was first
elected to the bench in 1989, after working in private practice, serving
as a Kenosha County district attorney, and following a seven-year career
as a high school teacher. Kluka retired in August
of 2011.
The Bench and Bar Committee
will recognize Kluka with the 2012 Lifetime Jurist Achievement
Award during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration on
Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells.
The award acknowledges the contributions of a jurist who has served more
than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated
outstanding, long-term judicial excellence and leadership toward
improving the quality of justice.
Teacher, lawyer, judge
A woman of three careers, Kluka was a teacher, a
lawyer, and a judge. Letters of nomination for Kluka followed a similar theme of fair,
impartial, courteous, patient, level headed, and practical with a solid
knowledge of the law and its applications. “On the bench, Kluka’s knowledge, conduct, and
professionalism have been second to none,” said Chief Judge Second
Judicial District of Wisconsin Mary K. Wagner. “She has always
treated everyone in her courtroom with the utmost respect and dignity
and continues to be an outstanding asset to the judicial profession.”
A role model for judges and lawyers
Thirty-year State Public Defender veteran Charles C. Bennett admired
Kluka’s patience and willingness to guide
new attorneys. “Judge Kluka has always been
very knowledgeable and compassionate,” he said. “Her
decisions were always well-reasoned and thought out.”
Beyond the bench
Kluka served on many committees during her
years on the bench. She is a former chief judge for the Second Judicial
District, and served as a member of the Judicial Education Committee,
Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee, Planning and Policy Advisory
Committee (PPAC) Planning Subcommittee, and as an
associate dean of the Judicial College.
Kluka was an instructor for Criminal Trial
Practice: Shanghai and Xian, China, in 1997.
She was a sponsor and mentor for college students interested in
law-related careers for U.W. Parkside and
Carthage College, and she also taught at the National Judicial College
in Reno, Nev.
In his nomination letter, attorney David E. Celebre said, “Judge Kluka brought a wealth of experience, from her
years of private practice to her teaching the Chinese judiciary. No
matter who appeared before her, she always administered a legal
intellectualism in a common person’s way.”
Community service
Kluka gave back to her community by serving on
committees, boards, and councils. She served on the Gateway College
Court and Conference Advisory Committee, the St. Joseph’s High
School Board of Trustees, Southeast Wisconsin Boy Scout Advisory
Council, and as a lector and Eucharistic
minister at St. Anthony’s Church.
Award celebration
The award will be presented on Thursday, June 14, at 6:15 p.m. at the
Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells in conjunction with the State Bar annual
meeting and two State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE™
Institutes. This free event is open to State Bar members and their
friends and families who would like to recognize the contributions of
the award recipients. Registration is not required.
The Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Appellate Practice Institute
will be held on June 11 and 12, and the Real Estate and Business Law
Institute will be held on June 14 and 15. Information about the
institutes will be available soon.
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