Nov. 15, 2017 – Do you know a judge who is making a difference on the bench, in the community, and in the legal profession?

Now is your chance to recognize and thank them for their hard work.

Nominations are needed for the 2018 Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards. These awards, from the State Bar of Wisconsin Bench and Bar Committee, honor judges who demonstrate outstanding service from the bench.

Lifetime Jurists – Nominations Due Jan. 31

Judge Donald Zuidmulder, the 2017 recipient of the Lifetime Jurist Award, served as chief judge of Wisconsin’s 8th Judicial District from 2009 to 2015. Photo: Harmann Studios, Inc.

The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during his or her years as a sitting judge. The nominee may currently hold a judicial position or be retired.

Eligibility:

• Nominee has served as a circuit court judge;

• Nominee has demonstrated high ideals, exemplary personal character, judicial competence, and has been actively involved in community efforts that enhance the judicial system;

• Nominee has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial service during the years as a sitting judge;

• Nominee has affected the judicial system in a distinctive manner;

• Nominee is an example of a fair and impartial jurist.

To nominate a judge for the Lifetime Jurist Award, submit the application on WisBar.org.

Judge of the Year– Nominations Due Jan. 31

Judge Mel Flanagan, center, pictured here in 2012, practices and teaches Aikido in the Milwaukee area. She holds the rank of fourth-degree black belt. She is the 2016 recipient of the Lifetime Jurist Award.

The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a sitting circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system during the past year through leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the award recipient.

Eligibility:

• Nominee is an outstanding circuit court trial judge who exemplifies a fair and impartial jurist;

• Nominee has made significant recent contributions in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, technology, or innovative programs;

• Nominee has demonstrated high ideals, exemplary personal character, and judicial competence;

• Nominee is actively involved in community efforts that enhance the judicial system;

• Nominee may have demonstrated the ability to effectively handle challenging court proceedings.

To nominate a judge for the Judge of the Year Award, submit the application on WisBar.org.