Judge Bartell’s enduring contributions reach all jurists in all Wisconsin courts daily
March 16, 2011 – Retired Dane County Circuit Court Judge Angela B. Bartell will receive the Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award in June. The 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.
Bartell, first appointed to the bench in 1978 was elected by the people five times. She sat on the bench for 30 years and became Chief Judge of Dane County, then the Fifth Judicial Circuit, from 1982 to 1988.
Judicial contributions
Bartell’s enduring contributions include long-term service to the Wisconsin Bench Book Project, Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, and Wisconsin Judicial College.
During her 12 years as the Judicial Editor of the Wisconsin Bench Book Project, Bartell organized teams of judges and attorneys who worked to create a practical guide for veteran and novice Wisconsin circuit court judges regarding all types of proceedings coming before the general jurisdiction trial courts. The award winning three-volume set of books, which encourages both best and uniform practices for the Wisconsin judiciary, is used every day in Wisconsin courts.
“Judge Bartell became an innovator in judicial settlement techniques, actively working with parties in efforts to settle lawsuits.” – Gerald Mowris, Madison
“She was often the first judge I would seek out for assistance in unraveling some knotty legal issue. Her analysis and insight were always remarkable and she was always willing to assist.” – C. William Foust, Dane County Circuit Court Judge
“The impact she made through her participation with these groups positively affected all of us involved in the judicial systems,” – Susan Steingass, former Dane County Circuit Court Judge
“One need only look at the first page of the acknowledgements in each of the five Judicial Benchbooks to see the impact Judge Bartell has had on the judiciary,” said Dane County Circuit Court Judge C. William Foust. “Who was the judicial editor of each and every one of the Benchbooks from 1982 until 1992? Angela Bartel.”
She served on the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instruction Committee for 10 years. This committee modernized and standardized the instructions on the law, which guide the dispensation of justice by the lay juries in Wisconsin.
Bartell was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, from 1999 to 2005, to oversee and serve as permanent teaching faculty at Wisconsin’s nationally recognized “college for judges” designed to increase the practical learning opportunities for all judges in evidence, motion practice, punitive damages and summary judgment practice.
Community service
Bartell has been an active member of Downtown Rotary for more than 30 years, and she has been very active with the Dane County Bar Association. She also served for years on the United Way of Dane County Board of Directors, including a term as chair.
Awards and honors
Bartell is an elected member to the American Law Institute and the ABA. She received the Shield Award, Delta Gamma Fraternity in 1980, which recognizes distinguished achievement through professional and volunteer services to the community. Bartell was voted “Best Judge” by Madison Magazine readership from 1985 to 1989 and was rated a “top lawyer” in alternative dispute resolution, by Madison Magazine in 2009. Bartell received the Margo Melli Award from the Legal Association for Women of Dane County in 2005.
Judge Bartell will receive the award during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells. Judge Bartell’s friends, family, and colleagues are invited to join in the celebration.
