Inside the Bar
Judge Lee E. Wells, retired Milwaukee County Circuit
Court, will receive the Bench and Bar Committee's 2004 Lifetime
Jurist Achievement Award. Judge Mark S. Gempeler,
Waukesha County Circuit Court, will receive the Bench and Bar
Committee's 2004 Judge of the Year Award.
The Lifetime
Jurist Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have "made a
difference" during their tenure on the bench.
"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, 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.
Wells 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.
"Wells was gifted in sharing legal information and making
rulings which promoted and assured the dignity of all who came before
him," says Michael J. Dwyer, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge.
"He spoke directly and simply to people from his heart."
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.
"This award recognizes Judge Gempeler for putting his knowledge
of the law to work to resolve cases fairly," said Floeter.
"He has a keen intellect and is fair-minded, patient and
decisive."
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 U.W. 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 20-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 judicial awards will be presented on Wednesday, May 4, at the
Members' Recognition Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., at the
Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.
Inside the Bar
