The Supreme Court of Wisconsin is seeking qualified candidates to serve as Referees in attorney disciplinary matters.

By order dated June 26, 2019, the court adopted new rules pertaining to the selection and training of referees for attorney disciplinary matters. The court will utilize a referee panel composed of no more than 15 attorneys and reserve judges appointed by the supreme court, who will serve staggered four-year terms. Once appointed, a referee may be reappointed to serve consecutive terms.

Responsibilities: (1) To preside over and conduct hearings on complaints of attorney misconduct, on petitions alleging attorney medical incapacity, petitions for license reinstatement, and to issue orders necessary to advance the proceeding; (2) To make written findings, conclusions, and recommendations, and to submit them to the supreme court for review and appropriate action; (3) To review consensual discipline under SCR 22.09; (4) To conduct hearings, make written findings, conclusions, and recommendations on other matters as the supreme court may direct; and (5) To function pursuant to the procedures set forth in SCR chapter 22.

Qualifications: Referees must be members of the State Bar of Wisconsin in good standing. The court seeks individuals with relevant experience and demonstrated ability to handle case-management and trial responsibilities. The court prefers candidates with a minimum of ten years of experience participating in trials. Such experience may have been gained in a variety of ways, including presiding over trials as a judge, participating in trials as a practitioner, or presiding over administrative or regulatory matters as a referee or an administrative law judge. Referees will be required to participate in mandatory referee training developed by the Office of Judicial Education.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resumé in a single .pdf document to human.resources@wicourts.gov. Subject line: Supreme Court Referee application. Your materials should address your relevant education, experience, and skills as they relate to the qualifications identified above.

Compensation: Compensation is governed by Wis. Stat. § 753.075, the rate applicable to reserve judges, which provides for a per diem rate of $490.76 (effective Jan. 6, 2019).

Deadline: To be assured of consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2019. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. The Wisconsin Court System will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants when requested.