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​​Back to State Bar 2019 Election Officer Candidates.​

Howard Bichler Candidate for Judicial Council Representative

Howard Bichler

Wisconsin Judicare, Cumberland
Email: hbichler@judicare.org

Platform Statement

I have represented Indian tribes and Individual Native Americans for 40 years. A large portion of that work involved litigation in Federal, State and Tribal Courts on issues involving Treaty Rights economic development, and Tribal Governance. That practice has given me a broad understanding of federal and state rules of procedure and practice. If elected, I will advocate for clear and understandable rules and procedures.

I am honored to be nominated for the Judicial Council position.

Biography

Bar Admissions

  • Wisconsin State Bar, 1976
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District, 1976
  • U.S. District Court Western District, 1976
  • Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 1979
  • United States Supreme Court, 1980
  • St. Croix Tribal Court, 1985
  • Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Court, 1987
  • Forest County Potawatomi Tribal Court, 2010
  • Red Cliff Tribal Court, 2015

Education

  • J.D. Marquette University Law School, 1976
  • B.A. University of Wisconsin Madison, 1973

Legal Employment

  • Wisconsin Judicare
    Indian Law Office Manager, 2016-present
    Staff Attorney, 1979-85
  • St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin General Counsel - 1985-2007, 2013-15
  • Stockbridge Munsee Tribe Lead Attorney, 2007-10
  • Forest County Potawatomi Community Tribal Prosecutor, 2011-13
  • Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission Attorney/Advocate Planner, 1976-79

State Bar

  • Board of Governors - Executive and Finance Committees - 4 terms Board of Governors - Chairperson
  • Indian Law Section – Chairperson - 2 years
  • Wisconsin Law Foundation - 4 years Wisconsin Law Foundation - Fellow, 2007
  • Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission, 2010-present

Significant Litigation

  • Lac Courte Oreilles Band v. Voigt, 700 F 2nd 341 (1983)
    Cert. Denied - Chippewa Treaty Rights

  • Lac Courte Oreilles Band v. Voigt
    seven separate sub-phase trials — Western District of Wisconsin

  • State v. Cutler No. 94-1464, Wisconsin Court of Appeals (1994)
    Application of the Wisconsin Fireworks Law to reservation sales

  • Mille Lacs Band v. Minnesota, 124 F 3rd 904 (1997)
    Chippewa Treaty Rights in Minnesota ceded Territory

  • Minnesota v. Mille Lacs Band, 1999 S. Ct. 1187 (1999)
    Supreme Court Affirmance (5-4) of 8th Circuit decision upholding Chippewa Treaty Rights in Minnesota ceded Territory