Madison, WI – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Bench and Bar Committee has announced Grant County Circuit Court Judge Robert VanDeHey as the recipient of its 2016 Judge of the Year Award. VanDeHey will receive his award at the State Bar’s Annual Meeting & Conference on June 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Green Bay.
The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a circuit court judge 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.
During his time on the bench, VanDeHey cultivated his reputation as a fair and impartial jurist which has contributed to the high level of integrity in Wisconsin’s judicial system.
Those who nominated him referenced his work to correct the “WisconsINjustice” series by Gannett Media Company that was published in 2015. VanDeHey contacted the author after completing his own research and data analysis that uncovered errors in the original article. The author then removed the incorrect information and issued a correction.
“He is and has been an excellent lawyer, exemplary trial judge and incomparable judicial colleague,” said those who nominated him. “Judge VanDeHey does not succumb to the passions of a particular case or a particular moment. He applies this talent at every level of judicial work.”
For more information contact Katie Stenz, public relations coordinator, State Bar of Wisconsin. She can be reached at org kstenz wisbar wisbar kstenz org, or by phone at (608) 250-6025.
In his free time, VanDeHey serves on the Judicial Council and volunteers for moot court and mock trial. He has participated in many seminars and judicial conferences and has played a significant role in establishing both a treatment and drug court in Grant County. He also serves as the unofficial Grant County court historian – cultivating archives for the more than 100-year-old building.
After serving 13 years in private practice, VanDeHey was appointed judge by Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1998. He has been re-elected three times since then. VanDeHey worked as a law clerk to Dane County Judge Susan Steingass after graduating from law school, and he credits that experience to his interest in pursuing a career in the judiciary.
“Although I didn't realize it at the time, there was something that appealed to me about trying to understand the law for the sake of understanding the law, rather than as a means to pursue a particular client's case or agenda,” said VanDeHey.
