Feb. 9, 2011 – Retired Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Barbara A. Kluka will receive the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award, and Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi will receive the Judge of the Year Award for their exceptional contributions to Wisconsin’s justice system.
The awards will be presented by the Bench and Bar Committee during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m., at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells.
 Judge Kluka, a circuit court judge for 22 years, holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the Kenosha County Circuit Court. A woman of three careers, Kluka was a teacher, a lawyer, and a judge. Letters of nomination for Kluka followed a similar theme of fair, impartial, courteous, patient, level headed and practical with a solid knowledge of the law and its applications. The Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award acknowledges the contributions of a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial excellence and leadership toward improving the quality of justice. (Read more about Kluka) |
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 Judge Sumi was appointed to the court by Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1998 and was re-elected to three terms. The Judge of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding circuit court judge 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. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the award recipient. Sumi’s nomination was unanimously supported by her Dane County judicial colleagues, five former State Bar presidents, and lawyers who have appeared before her. (Read more about Sumi) |
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“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 Dane and Kenosha counties but across Wisconsin.”
Awards celebration
The judicial awards will be presented on Thursday, June 14, at 6:15 p.m. at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells in conjunction with the State Bar annual meeting and two State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE™ Institutes. This free event is open to State Bar members and their friends and families who would like to recognize the contributions of the award recipients. Registration is not required.
The Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Appellate Practice Institute will be held on June 11 and 12, and the Real Estate and Business Law Institute will be held on June 14 and 15. Information about the institutes will be available soon.
