Judge Brunner earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement" Award

MADISON, February 28, 2006 – The Bench and Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin announces Barron County Circuit Court Branch II Judge Edward Brunner as the recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2005 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. The annual award recognizes a jurist who "made a difference" during long tenure on the bench and will be presented at the State Bar's Annual Convention, May 3-5 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.

"This award recognizes Judge Brunner's innovative and progressive leadership abilities both in the community and the bench and bar," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter, Bench and Bar Committee Chair. "He exhibits a passion for the improvement of justice-related services and exemplifies the qualities of a great judge."

Since taking the oath of office as circuit court judge in 1988, he has succeeded in initiating, organizing, implementing and sustaining numerous public programs. He led the effort to establish a restorative justice program in Barron County which has become a model for other courts in Wisconsin and the country. He has implemented significant improvements in providing access to the courts for self-represented litigants. Recently, Judge Brunner has developed a drug court initiative in Barron County. This initiative follows on the heels of Brunner's work in securing a drug abuse and alcohol prevention grant for his county from the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Foundation.

Barron County's RWJ grant has been instrumental in Judge Brunner's work in the area of juvenile justice. The innovative program brings together schools, law enforcement, judges, AODA treatment providers, parents and kids in the community to work towards solutions for alcohol and substance abuse problems.

Judge Brunner has also been active in creating alternative sentencing programs for juveniles and adults, and has been an advocate for community service as a meaningful sentencing option. He helped establish the Barron County Offender Community Services Program, which has influenced other counties in Wisconsin and resulted in significant local savings because of the decreased local jail population.

In his nomination letter to the Bench and Bar Committee, Eau Claire Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Proctor stated, "One key to his success as a judicial leader has been his team approach to identifying problems and opportunities, developing ambitious yet realistic plans and implementing programs and changes."

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. Lee E. Wells, 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 or visit www.wisbar.org.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 21,000 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.

Wisconsin Lawyers. Experts Advisers. Serving You.

Press Releases