For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6025 twsmith@wisbar.org

Judge Mark S. Gempeler earns "Judge of the Year" Award

MADISON, March 10, 2005 - The Bench and Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin announces Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Mark S. Gempeler as the recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2004 Judge of the Year Award. The annual award recognizes a jurist who has improved the judicial system during the past year by providing leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. The award will be presented at the State Bar's Annual Convention, May 4-6 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.

"This award recognizes Judge Gempeler for putting his knowledge of the law to work to resolve cases fairly," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter, Bench and Bar Committee Chair. "He has a keen intellect and is fair-minded, patient and decisive."

Judge 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 University of Wisconsin 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 twenty 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 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. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the Judge of the Year Award recipient.

For more information about the Judge of the Year Award, contact State Bar Committee Project Coordinator 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 to help them maintain their expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out community service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the value of lawyers.

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