For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Jason Westphal
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6077
jwestphal@wisbar.org |
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Judge Patrick L. Snyder earns "Lifetime Jurist Achievement"
Award
MADISON, February 25, 2003 - Waukesha County Circuit
Court Judge Patrick L. Snyder is the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2002
Lifetime Jurist. The award will be presented at the State Bar Annual
Convention, May 7-9, in Milwaukee at the Midwest Airlines Center.
The Bench/Bar Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin annually
recognizes outstanding judges with its 'Judge of the Year' and 'Lifetime
Jurist Achievement' awards. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Gerald C.
Nichol is this year's Judge of the Year recipient.
"Judge Snyder is a 'people's judge' in the fullest sense of the
phrase," says Neal Nettesheim, Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II
judge. "He genuinely cares about every litigant - no matter their
station and no matter how helpless or worthy their cause. He brings to
every case not only his legal skills, but also his unique ability to
connect with people. He has that special ability to grasp the human
emotions, as well as the legal principles, at work in every case. This
is also why he is the 'mentor' of the Waukesha County courthouse. People
from all walks - judges, lawyers, employees - line up at his chamber's
door to receive his sound advice and wise counsel. He is the perfect
judge and the complete judge."
Snyder, who holds a law degree from Marquette University Law School,
was appointed to the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 1978. Throughout
his career, he has served as the presiding judge of the county's civil,
criminal and family divisions. In addition, Snyder was the chief judge
of the Third Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin from
1984-1991.
He was instrumental in developing the uniform appraisal rule now
utilized in Waukesha County divorce cases. This rule shortened the
process for appraisals and reduced the cost for the litigants.
Furthermore, it served as a prototype for other counties interested in
implementing similar measures.
A frequent lecturer, Snyder is well known for his effort to reach out
to others in the profession struggling with substance abuse issues. He
is the program coordinator of two courses for the Judicial Education
Office of the Wisconsin Supreme Court - Alcohol, Drugs and the Courts
and The Self-Help Program: Alcohol, Drugs and the Courts.
"The Judge of the Year and Lifetime Achievement designations are
coveted awards by the judges who are so named," says Judge Dennis
Moroney, Jurist Award Subcommittee co-chair. "They indicate a
recognition by both the bench and bar that the award recipients have
gone beyond what was expected of them, and did something extra. It
demonstrates the close working relationship of the bench and bar, and
their combined effort to benefit society. The State Bar's Bench Bar
Committee is proud to be part of the process, and this year's award
winners epitomize the excellence of those that have been recognized as
award recipients since the inception of these awards."
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. 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, contact 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, and assists
Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out initiatives to educate the public
about the legal system.
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