Judges Wells and Gempeler receive Lifetime Jurist and Judge of the Year awards at Annual Convention

March 21, 2005

Judge Lee E. Wells, retired Milwaukee County Circuit Court, will receive the Bench and Bar Committee's 2004 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. Judge Mark S. Gempeler, Waukesha County Circuit Court, will receive the Bench and Bar Committee's 2004 Judge of the Year Award.

The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have "made a difference" during their tenure on the bench.

"This award recognizes Wells' lifetime contributions to the bench and bar and to the local community," said Hon. Daniel M. Floeter, Bench Bar Committee chair. "He exemplifies the qualities of a great judge."

During his 20-plus years as a circuit court judge, Wells developed the reputation as an intelligent, patient, hard-working jurist with a sense of humor. He was instrumental behind Guardian ad Litem training in Milwaukee County. In collaboration with the Milwaukee County Bar Association's Family Law Bench-Bar Committee, he established an annual review seminar for Guardians ad Litem serving in the Family Division. He played an integral role in improving the local Family Division rules and actively assisted in revising guidelines for child support with the state's Bureau of Child Support.

Wells advocates finding healthier, non-adversarial resolutions to family law issues by working with local judges, attorneys, and mental health professionals to improve parent education programs and to develop co-parent counseling options. He supports non-litigation alternatives including mediation and collaborative family law and was an outspoken advocate and role model for improving civility in the courtroom.

"Wells was gifted in sharing legal information and making rulings which promoted and assured the dignity of all who came before him," says Michael J. Dwyer, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge. "He spoke directly and simply to people from his heart."

The Judge of the Year Award recognizes a jurist who has improved the judicial system during the past year by his or her leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs.

"This award recognizes Judge Gempeler for putting his knowledge of the law to work to resolve cases fairly," said Floeter. "He has a keen intellect and is fair-minded, patient and decisive."

Gempeler began his judicial career in March 1983 when he accepted an appointment to the Circuit Court in Waukesha County. In 1984, 1990, and 2002 he ran unopposed for re-election. Prior to his circuit court tenure, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney, assistant district attorney, private bar practitioner, and county corporation counsel.

With 20 years of judicial experience as a deputy chief judge, an acting chief judge and a chief judge of the Third District, he is a judicial leader. As a member of the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee from 1988 to 1998, he worked on developing and revising the standard criminal jury instructions published by the U.W. Law School. He assisted in reviewing legislation and Wisconsin appellate court decisions affecting the substantive criminal law and worked to express new and revised legal rules in laymen's terms. He served as an associate dean and faculty member of the Wisconsin Judicial College, a faculty advisor and member of the National Judicial College, and Wisconsin Judicial Council member.

"Although he has handled all types of cases in his 20-year judicial career, Judge Gempeler earned accolades for his handling of the sexual assault trial of former Green Bay Packer Mark Chmura," said Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge J. Mac Davis. "The trial was televised nationally, and Judge Gempeler's disciplined, scholarly approach garnered laudatory remarks from national and local legal commentators and the media."

The judicial awards will be presented on Wednesday, May 4, at the Members' Recognition Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.