For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Amanda K. Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256 |
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Chief Justice designates four judges for Diversity Committee
Jan. 10, 2000 - At the request of the State
Legislature, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
has appointed four judges to serve on a committee that will investigate
ways to increase racial and ethnic diversity among Wisconsin judges.
The nine-member Committee on Judicial Election, created in the
1999-2001 state budget bill, will study how to increase the number of
qualified minority candidates for judgeships. The committee will submit
a report to the legislature, the governor's office, and the supreme
court by the end of the year.
Abrahamson named Judges Angela Bartell, Dane County Circuit Court;
Dennis Flynn, Racine County Circuit Court; and Stanley Miller, Milwaukee
County Circuit Court, to the committee. In addition, Abrahamson
appointed Judge Neal Nettesheim, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, to take her
place on the committee. The legislation designates the chief justice as
a committee member, but Abrahamson determined that she would not serve
because of the risk she would have to disqualify herself if issues
relating to the committee's work came before the Supreme Court.
Governor Tommy Thompson appointed Judge Maxine White, Milwaukee
County Circuit Court, as chair of the committee. District I Chief Judge
Michael Skwierawski will serve as vice-chair, as specified in the bill.
The governor also appointed Judge Joseph Donald, Milwaukee County
Circuit Court; Attorney Jerry Boyle, Mequon; and Professor Frank De
Guire, Marquette University Law School.
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