March 4, 2009 – Dane County Circuit Court Judge Michael N. Nowakowski will receive the 2008 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Tom R. Wolfgram will receive the 2008 Judge of the Year Award. The Bench and Bar Committee will present both awards on May 6 at the Annual Convention in Milwaukee.
Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award
The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and who has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a sitting judge.
After 24 years on the Dane County bench, Michael N. Nowakowski will retire in July. While Nowakowski has served in the juvenile, criminal, and civil divisions, most will remember him for his dedication and commitment as the head of a committee that ultimately won the approval for a new Dane County Courthouse.
In 2001 he was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court as Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Administrative District. He served as “Chief of the Chiefs” from 2006 to 2007.
Nowakowski received his B.A. from the U.W.-Madison in 1971 and his J.D. cum laude from the U.W. Law School in 1974, and was named to the Order of the Coif. He was first elected to the bench in 1985 after 11 years in a general litigation practice.
Tom R. Wolfgram, who has served on the bench since 1994, is praised for his patience at giving litigants the opportunity to make a good record and his diligence at setting forth findings of fact as well as conclusions of law that demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the appropriate legal standards and how they interact with the matter presented. His peers often look to him for guidance on judicial ethics.
Wolfgram received his B.S. from the U.W.-Oshkosh in 1974 and his J.D from Marquette University in 1977. He served as assistant district attorney in Ozaukee and Washington counties from 1977 – 1985 and as Ozaukee County District Attorney from 1986 – 1988. He went into private practice in 1988 until his appointment to Ozaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 2, in 1994. He is the presiding judge and was elected in 1995, 2001, and 2007.
Admission to the May 6 Members’ Recognition Luncheon is $35 per person.
To register or for more information, call (800) 728-7788.