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  • Press Release
    February 25, 2003

    News Release February 2003: Judge Patrick L. Snyder earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement" Award

    For Immediate Release
      CONTACT: Jason Westphal
    State Bar of Wisconsin
    (800) 444-9404, ext. 6077
    jwestphal@wisbar.org
    *

    Judge Patrick L. Snyder earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement" Award

    Patrick L. SnyderMADISON, February 25, 2003 - Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Patrick L. Snyder is the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2002 Lifetime Jurist. The award will be presented at the State Bar Annual Convention, May 7-9, in Milwaukee at the Midwest Airlines Center.

    The Bench/Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin annually recognizes outstanding judges with its 'Judge of the Year' and 'Lifetime Jurist Achievement' awards. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Gerald C. Nichol is this year's Judge of the Year recipient.

    "Judge Snyder is a 'people's judge' in the fullest sense of the phrase," says Neal Nettesheim, Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II judge. "He genuinely cares about every litigant - no matter their station and no matter how helpless or worthy their cause. He brings to every case not only his legal skills, but also his unique ability to connect with people. He has that special ability to grasp the human emotions, as well as the legal principles, at work in every case. This is also why he is the 'mentor' of the Waukesha County courthouse. People from all walks - judges, lawyers, employees - line up at his chamber's door to receive his sound advice and wise counsel. He is the perfect judge and the complete judge."

    Snyder, who holds a law degree from Marquette University Law School, was appointed to the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 1978. Throughout his career, he has served as the presiding judge of the county's civil, criminal and family divisions. In addition, Snyder was the chief judge of the Third Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin from 1984-1991.

    He was instrumental in developing the uniform appraisal rule now utilized in Waukesha County divorce cases. This rule shortened the process for appraisals and reduced the cost for the litigants. Furthermore, it served as a prototype for other counties interested in implementing similar measures.

    A frequent lecturer, Snyder is well known for his effort to reach out to others in the profession struggling with substance abuse issues. He is the program coordinator of two courses for the Judicial Education Office of the Wisconsin Supreme Court - Alcohol, Drugs and the Courts and The Self-Help Program: Alcohol, Drugs and the Courts.

    "The Judge of the Year and Lifetime Achievement designations are coveted awards by the judges who are so named," says Judge Dennis Moroney, Jurist Award Subcommittee co-chair. "They indicate a recognition by both the bench and bar that the award recipients have gone beyond what was expected of them, and did something extra. It demonstrates the close working relationship of the bench and bar, and their combined effort to benefit society. The State Bar's Bench Bar Committee is proud to be part of the process, and this year's award winners epitomize the excellence of those that have been recognized as award recipients since the inception of these awards."

    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, contact 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, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out initiatives to educate the public about the legal system.



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