July 21, 2010 – On July 5, clerk of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, David Schanker, passed away from complications that arose following a heart transplant.
“David played a critical role and provided valuable insight to the supreme court in analyzing pending rules petitions,” said Justice David T. Prosser. “His feedback was particularly constructive during our work on citing unpublished opinions.”
Prosser endorsed Schanker’s nomination to the prestigious 2009 Toll Fellowship Program, which recognizes emerging state leaders from across the nation. Prosser said, “We have lost his leadership with his passing. He is an incredible loss to the court system.”
Lauding Schanker’s performance as chief clerk and his valuable contributions to the court particularly his rulemaking process, Prosser said, “David was very bright and competent in running the clerk’s office. He was on top of technology, and he took charge to bring the court forward.”
“David Schanker was instrumental in implementing the court’s e-filing system and tirelessly traveled the state teaching people about it,” said Wisconsin Supreme Court Commissioner Nancy Kopp. “His enthusiasm for providing enhanced public access to court filings through technology and his patience in explaining the nuts and bolts of e-filing will be greatly missed.”
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, said, “David was not only an exceptionally skilled clerk, but a talented author and playwright. Many people, both inside and outside the court system, benefited from and appreciated his many talents.”
Schanker authored several short stories, two legal-themed novels, A Criminal Appeal (St. Martin’s Minotaur, 1998) and Natural Law (St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2001). More recently, he wrote Kiritsis, a play performed by the Forward Theatre Company in Madison.
Schanker joined the Wisconsin court system in 2007 after seven years as deputy clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tax Court. He earned his J.D. at Indiana University and worked in private practice for four years in Indiana.
More
