Candidate for Judicial Council Representative
John R. Orton
Curran, Hollenbeck & Orton SC, Mauston
Email: jorton@curranlawoffice.com
Platform Statement
I currently serve on the Judicial Council as the appointee of President-elect Chris Rogers. I am asking for your vote to continue my service as the State Bar’s representative on this important public body.
The Judicial Council is currently fighting for its survival. Last summer, the Governor defunded the Council through his line-item veto. Without funding, the Council has lost its staff, its office, and in large part, its ability to carry out its statutory duties.
No other body is charged with the important duties of the Council, which are to study and recommend to the Supreme Court, Legislature, and Governor, changes in the organization, jurisdiction and operation of the courts, including the rules of pleading, practice, procedure, and evidence. Since defunding, we have seen the introduction of legislation affecting pleading and practice, some designed to dramatically change the rules of civil procedure to serve the interests of a select few.
There are rough days ahead for the Council, which for over 65 years has served as the non-partisan filter through which changes to practice and procedure have passed. I am committed to the survival and important work of the Council, with or without staff. I currently serve on the Evidence and Civil Procedure Subcommittee. My 35 years of experience as a civil trial lawyer has trained me well for the matters addressed by the Council and this committee.
I ask for your vote, and equally important, I ask that you support the Judicial Council in the difficult days ahead.
Biography
Bar Admissions
- Wisconsin, 1981
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1981
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1981
Education
- J.D., Marquette University Law School, 1981
- Law Review Member, 1980 – 1981
- Published works: Review of Rush v Savchuk, 64 Marq. L. Rev. 374, 1981
- B.A., St. Olaf College magna cum laude, 1978
- Oxford University, Oxford, England, 1977
Positions Held
- Curran, Hollenbeck & Orton, S.C., Mauston, 1984 – present
- Frisch, Dudek & Slattery, 1981 – 1984
- City of Mauston, Wisconsin, City Attorney, 1986 – 2009
- Village Attorney, Necedah, Wisconsin, 2002 – present
- Village Attorney, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, 1997 – present
- Village Attorney, Hustler, Wisconsin, 1996 – present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Litigation Section
- Member, 1981 – present
- Board of Directors, 1989 – 1992
- Admin & Local Gov. Section
- Member, 1999 – present
- Board of Directors, 2003 – 2010
- Chairman, 2009 – 2010
- Board of Governors
- District 7 Representative, 2013 – 2017
- Jud. Election Steering Committee, Chairman
- Executive Committee, 2016 – 2017
- Wisconsin Association for Justice (f/k/a WATL), 1984 – present
- Judicial Council, 2017 – present
Significant Cases Handled
- Dakter v Cavallino, 2014 WI App 112, 358 Wis. 2d 434, 856 N.W.2d 523. (Civil jury instructions in trucking cases)
- Heitman v City of Mauston, 226 Wis.2d 542 (Ct. App. 1999) (Municipal law)
- Hagen v Labor & Industry Review Commission, 201 Wis.2d 51 (1996) (Workers' Compensation law)
- Betthauser v Medical Protective Company, 172 Wis.2d 141 (1992) (Medical Malpractice law)
- Winslow v Brown, 125 Wis.2d 327 (Ct.App. 1985) (Tort of civil conspiracy)
Community Involvement
- St. Patrick School: Gala Fund Raising Committee, 1999 – present
- Mauston High School: Athletic Booster Club Founder and Director, 2001 – 2003
- Mauston Hockey Club: Founder and Director, 1992 – 1994
- Mauston High School: Music Concert Series Board, 2000 – 2005
- Boys' Club Basketball Coach, 2002 – 2006
- St. Patrick School Basketball Coach, 2004 – 2007
Family
- Married to Catherine Curran Orton (35 years)
- Three adult, educated, employed children
