CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
twsmith@wisbar.org
Judge Brunner earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement"
Award
MADISON, February 28, 2006 – The Bench and Bar
Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin announces Barron County Circuit
Court Branch II Judge Edward Brunner as the recipient of the State Bar
of Wisconsin's 2005 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. The annual award
recognizes a jurist who "made a difference" during long
tenure on the bench and will be presented at the State Bar's Annual
Convention, May 3-5 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention
Center in Madison.
"This award recognizes Judge Brunner's innovative and
progressive leadership abilities both in the community and the bench
and bar," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter, Bench and Bar Committee
Chair. "He exhibits a passion for the improvement of
justice-related services and exemplifies the qualities of a great
judge."
Since taking the oath of office as circuit court judge in 1988, he
has succeeded in initiating, organizing, implementing and sustaining
numerous public programs. He led the effort to establish a restorative
justice program in Barron County which has become a model for other
courts in Wisconsin and the country. He has implemented significant
improvements in providing access to the courts for self-represented
litigants. Recently, Judge Brunner has developed a drug court
initiative in Barron County. This initiative follows on the heels of
Brunner's work in securing a drug abuse and alcohol prevention grant
for his county from the Robert Wood Johnson (RWJ) Foundation.
Barron County's RWJ grant has been instrumental in Judge Brunner's
work in the area of juvenile justice. The innovative program brings
together schools, law enforcement, judges, AODA treatment providers,
parents and kids in the community to work towards solutions for alcohol
and substance abuse problems.
Judge Brunner has also been active in creating alternative
sentencing programs for juveniles and adults, and has been an advocate
for community service as a meaningful sentencing option. He helped
establish the Barron County Offender Community Services Program, which
has influenced other counties in Wisconsin and resulted in significant
local savings because of the decreased local jail population.
In his nomination letter to the Bench and Bar Committee, Eau Claire
Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Proctor stated, "One key to his
success as a judicial leader has been his team approach to identifying
problems and opportunities, developing ambitious yet realistic plans
and implementing programs and changes."
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. Lee E. Wells, 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 about the Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award,
contact State Bar Committee Project Coordinator Patricia Morgan at (800) 444-9404,
ext. 6107 or visit www.wisbar.org.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional
association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who
hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 21,000 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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