For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6025 twsmith@wisbar.org

Judge Lee E. Wells earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement" Award

MADISON, March 16, 2005 - The Bench and Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin announces retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Lee E. Wells as the recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2004 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. The annual award recognizes a jurist who "made a difference" during tenure on the bench and will be presented at the State Bar's Annual Convention, May 4-6 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.

"This award recognizes Wells' lifetime contributions to the bench and bar and to the local community," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter, Bench Bar Committee Chair. "He exemplifies the qualities of a great judge."

During his 20 plus years as a circuit court judge, Judge Wells developed the reputation as an intelligent, patient, hard-working jurist with a sense of humor. He was instrumental behind Guardian ad Litem training in Milwaukee County. In collaboration with the Milwaukee County Bar Association's Family Law Bench-Bar Committee, he established an annual review seminar for Guardians ad Litem serving in the Family Division. He played an integral role in improving the local Family Division rules and actively assisted in revising guidelines for child support with the state's Bureau of Child Support.

He advocates finding healthier, non-adversarial resolutions to family law issues by working with local judges, attorneys and mental health professionals to improve parent education programs and to develop co-parent counseling options. He supports non-litigation alternatives including mediation and collaborative family law and was an outspoken advocate and role model for improving civility in the courtroom.

"He was gifted in sharing legal information and making rulings which promoted and assured the dignity of all who came before him," said Michael J. Dwyer, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge. "He spoke directly and simply to people from his heart."

The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist with at least 12 years' experience as a trial judge who has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a sitting judge. Past recipients include Hon. Peter G. Pappas, Hon. Patrick T. Sheedy, Hon. Mark J. Farnum, Hon. P. Charles Jones, Hon. Edwin C. Dahlberg and Hon. Myron L. Gordon.

For more information about the Lifetime Jurist Achievement 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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