Official Press Release from the Governor's
Office
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Governor appoints Diane Sykes to Wisconsin Supreme Court
Sept. 3, 1999 - Gov. Tommy G. Thompson today
announced the appointment of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Diane
S. Sykes to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, marking the second woman
selected by the governor to serve on the state's highest court.
Gov. Thompson said Diane Syke's experience, passion and insight will
make her an excellent Supreme Court Justice. Judge Sykes will fill a
vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Donald W. Steinmetz, 74,
who resigned in August.
"Diane brings impeccable credentials to the Supreme Court. She will
be a strong, thoughtful, and conservative jurist that does not legislate
from the bench, but applies the law in a fair and equitable manner,"
Gov. Thompson said. "I am confident that she will serve the people of
Wisconsin well and build upon the great tradition of our Supreme
Court."
The appointment of Judge Sykes allows the court to begin its fall
session with all seven seats on the bench filled. Once sworn in, she
will be paid a salary of $112,318 and face election next spring when the
term expires.
Judge Sykes, a resident of Bayside in Milwaukee County, was elected
to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 43 in 1992 and currently
serves in that capacity. Prior to her election, she was a practicing
attorney specializing in federal civil rights cases and commercial
litigation for the law firm of Whyte & Hirschboeck between
1985-1992, and she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Terence T.
Evans, United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Wisconsin, from 1984 to 1985.
Judge Sykes is a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association, Milwaukee
Bar Association, Wisconsin Trial Judges Association, Association for
Women Lawyers, Criminal Penalties Study Committee, and St. James Parish
in Mequon. She holds a baccalaureate degree from Northwestern University
and a law degree from Marquette University.
Judge Sykes, 41, was one of three finalists forwarded to the governor
by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Selection. In addition, Gov.
Thompson created an additional advisory committee to assist in the
interview and review process of the finalists.
The appointment of Judge Sykes, the fourth appointment to the Supreme
Court made by Gov. Thompson, extends Milwaukee County's representation
on the state's highest court. Prior appointments by the governor
include; Justice Jon P. Wilcox, 1992, Justice Janine P. Geske, 1993
(retired), and Justice David T. Prosser, 1998.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court consists of seven justices elected to
10-year terms on the non-partisan spring ballot.
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