Feb. 25, 2010 – Two Eau Claire County jurists are recognized for their exceptional contributions to Wisconsin’s justice system by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Branch 4 Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Proctor and Reserve Judge Thomas Barland were selected by the Bench and Bar Committee to receive the State Bar’s 2009 Judicial Achievement Awards at the State Bar Annual Convention in May.
Judge Proctor, who also serves as chief judge for the 10th Judicial District, will receive the Judge of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding circuit court trial judge who has advanced the quality of justice through leadership, judicial education, or commitment to innovative programs that benefit the community. Examples of his contributions include the development of a Veterans Treatment Court and a foreclosure mediation system in Eau Claire County.
“As chief judge for the 10th Judicial District, Ben Proctor has made a substantial impact,” said District Court Administrator Scott K. Johnson. “His administrative acumen, contemplative manner, and capabilities associated with mediating difficult issues make him an ideal chief judge. The district is well known for initiatives that are duplicated throughout the state.”
Judge Barland, who has served on the bench since 1967, will receive the Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. The award acknowledges the contributions of an individual with at least 12 years of experience as a trial judge who has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial excellence and leadership toward improving the quality of justice. Enduring contributions he has made to help modernize the state’s justice system include the development of today’s trial and appellate court structure and the integration of electronic technologies into court administration.
A joint nomination for the award by his Eau Claire County peers notes that while Judge Barland retired from the bench in August 2000, “he has remained very active as a reserve judge, presiding over lengthy and complicated trials throughout the state.” His peers also praised the high standard of judicial integrity he has established, stressing that “his even-handed treatment of parties who appear before him is legendary, as is his ability to deal with even the smallest case on a professional, respectful basis.”
“These two outstanding jurists were nominated by their peers because they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the quality of justice in our state,” adds Bench and Bar Committee chair Kelli Sue Thompson. “The State Bar welcomes this opportunity to recognize the essential work that the judiciary… performs for this state and the exceptional contributions these two judges have made toward the betterment of the justice system for citizens not only in Eau Claire County but across Wisconsin.”
The awards will be presented on May 6, 10 - 10:30 a.m., immediately before the presentation by United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, during the 2010 State Bar Annual Convention.
This year’s convention, May 5 - 7, will be held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center, in Madison.
