Judge Weston to step down from bench this July
Posted: Monday, February 5, 2018 9:15 am
JEFFERSON — Applicants are being sought to fill the Jefferson County Circuit Court bench being vacated this summer by Judge Jennifer Weston.
Weston’s resignation takes effect July 10. Gov. Scott Walker said Friday that the new appointee, should he or she choose to run, would be up for election in April 2019.
First elected elected to the bench in 2009, Weston previously served as a full-time court commissioner for Jefferson County for three years before ascending the bench. At the time, she acknowledged that attaining a seat on the bench had been a long-term goal.
A Whitewater native, Weston graduated from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis in 1989 and returned to Wisconsin to practice law. She was an attorney in the area for 18 years and had a law firm in Fort Atkinson for a number of years before.
She served on the Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and was an active member of the Fort Atkinson Kiwanis Club. Weston served as president of the Jefferson County Bar Association in 1997 and was a board member of Women Reaching Women (now known as People Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse (PADA).
From 2002-06, Weston served as a half-time family court commissioner and a half-time guardian ad litem.
In April 2008, she was elected as the City of Fort Atkinson’s municipal judge, succeeding longtime Judge John Lampert. Upon being elected to the county position, she stepped down.
Weston defeated Watertown attorney Steven Luchsinger in the 2009 election to fill the seat vacated by retired Branch I Judge John Ullsvik. She went unopposed in a bid for re-election in 2015.
Gov. Walker said Friday he is accepting applications for Weston’s seat. To apply for the Branch I Jefferson County judgeship, interested persons should submit a cover letter, resume, two writing samples and the judicial application found on the governor’s website: www.walker.wi.gov. Select “Menu” at the top right of the page, “Serve WI,” “Service Applications,” “Judicial Application.”)
All application materials must be received no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. Applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application and explaining the next steps.
Potential applicants with questions about the process should email their questions to govjudicialappointments@wisconsin.gov. To speak with someone immediately, contact Kate Wiedel at (608) 266-1212.
Meanwhile, Gov. Walker on Friday appointed attorney Karl Hanson to serve as a judge on the Rock County Circuit Court, replacing retiring Judge James Daley.
“I am honored to appoint Karl Hanson to the Rock County Circuit Court,” said Walker. “Hanson is a distinguished attorney and individual who has demonstrated impeccable character, service, and integrity throughout his career. His legal acumen, dedication to public service, and commitment to the rule of law give me great confidence that he will make an excellent judge.”
Before entering the legal profession, Hanson served for 10 years as an officer in the United States Army and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. During his tour in Bosnia and two tours in Iraq, Hanson served in numerous leadership and staff positions, including a staff officer position in the Iraqi prime minister’s situation room.
Hanson currently serves as an assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, where he represents the State of Wisconsin and its interests in litigation before state and federal trial courts. He also is a municipal judge in the Rock County towns of Milton, Harmony and Lima, where he presides over the municipal court by hearing citations issued for the violation of municipal ordinances and issuing judgments.
Prior to this work, Hanson served as an attorney at the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, the Office of State Employment Relations, and the law offices of Nowlan & Mouat LLP.
Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel highly recommended Hanson for the bench.
“Hanson’s respect for the rule of law and understanding of his role as a member of the judiciary are ideal traits for a judicial candidate.” Schimel said. “I also recommend AAG Hanson for this appointment because of his commitment to public service. His distinguished military career illustrates his dedication to public safety and service.”
Chairman James Daley of the State of Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission also recommended Hanson, stating, “Karl is a true gentleman who conducts himself with the highest level of professionalism and always displays absolute respect for everyone he interacts with.”