For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
twsmith@wisbar.org |
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Judge Mark S. Gempeler earns "Judge of the Year"
Award
MADISON, March 10, 2005 - The Bench
and Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin announces Waukesha
County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Gempeler as the recipient of the
State Bar of Wisconsin's 2004 Judge of the Year Award. The annual award
recognizes a jurist who has improved the judicial system during the past
year by providing leadership in advancing the quality of justice,
judicial education, or innovative programs. The award will be presented
at the State Bar's Annual Convention, May 4-6 at the Midwest Airlines
Center in Milwaukee.
"This award recognizes Judge Gempeler for putting his knowledge of
the law to work to resolve cases fairly," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter,
Bench and Bar Committee Chair. "He has a keen intellect and is
fair-minded, patient and decisive."
Judge Gempeler began his judicial career in March 1983 when he
accepted an appointment to the Circuit Court in Waukesha County. In
1984, 1990, and 2002 he ran unopposed for re-election. Prior to his
circuit court tenure, he served as an assistant U.S. Attorney, assistant
District Attorney, private bar practitioner, and County Corporation
Counsel.
With 20 years of judicial experience as a deputy chief judge, an
acting chief judge and a chief judge of the Third District, he is a
judicial leader. As a member of the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions
Committee from 1988 to 1998, he worked on developing and revising the
standard criminal jury instructions published by the University of
Wisconsin Law School. He assisted in reviewing legislation and Wisconsin
appellate court decisions affecting the substantive criminal law and
worked to express new and revised legal rules in laymen's terms. He
served as an Associate Dean and faculty member of the Wisconsin Judicial
College, a faculty advisor and member of the National Judicial College,
and Wisconsin Judicial Council member.
"Although he has handled all types of cases in his twenty year
judicial career, Judge Gempeler earned accolades for his handling of the
sexual assault trial of former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura," said
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge J. Mac Davis. "The trial was
televised nationally, and Judge Gempeler's disciplined, scholarly
approach garnered laudatory remarks from national and local legal
commentators and the media."
The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a jurist who has improved the
judicial system during the past year by his or her leadership in
advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative
programs. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and
community involvement are hallmarks of the Judge of the Year Award
recipient.
For more information about the Judge of the Year Award, contact State
Bar Committee Project Coordinator Patricia Morgan at (800) 444-9404,
ext. 6107.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory
professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for
attorneys who hold a law license in Wisconsin. With more than 20,000
members, the State Bar aids the courts in improving the administration
of justice, provides continuing legal education for its members to help
them maintain their expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying
out community service initiatives to educate the public about the legal
system and the value of lawyers.
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