Candidate for Judicial Council
John Orton
Curran, Hollenbeck & Orton, S.C., Mauston
Email: jorton@curranlawoffice.com
The Judicial Council is a non-partisan, governmental agency, created in 1951 to study the rules of practice and procedure and the administration and operation of state courts, and then to advise the Legislature and Supreme Court regarding the same. The Judicial Council does not enact anything; it only studies issues and proposes improvement for others to consider and, in their discretion, to enact. No other entity, public or private, shares this important mission.
The Council is comprised of judges, district attorneys, legislators, law school personnel, citizens, and State Bar members. I joined the Council in 2017 just as its government funding and support staff were being terminated by the political winds of the time. For six years, I have worked diligently with other members to keep the Council alive without funding and staff. With your vote, I hope to continue this work because the Council is extremely important to the administration of justice in Wisconsin.
My legal career has focused on civil litigation, spending most of my time representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases. Over the last 40 years, I have handled a wide variety of civil litigation matters, including insurance claims, boundary disputes, will contests, fire claims, zoning violations, workers comp claims, divorces, business disputes, construction claims, contract claims, and appellate work. My experience, and my particular interest in evidence and procedure, make me well-qualified for the work of the Judicial Council, which is finishing work on restraining orders, and has begun work on the rules of evidence.
Biography
Education
State Bar and Legal Activities
Judicial Council, 2017-present (vice-chair 2019 – present)
State Bare Board of Governors: 2013-17
BOG Executive Committee, 2016-17
BOG Chair of Judicial Election Steering Committee, 2013-17
Litigation Section Board of Directors, 1989-92
Admin & Local Gov. Section Board of Directors, 2003-10, chairman 2009-10
Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellow since 2016
Wisconsin Association For Justice
City attorney 23 years
Village attorney 25 years
Significant Appellate Cases Handled
Dakter v. Cavallino, 2015 WI 67, 363 Wis.2d 738, 866 N.W.2d 656 (Jury instructions in truck accident cases)
Heitman v. City of Mauston, 226 Wis.2d 542 (Ct. App. 1999) (Direct legislation in Municipal law)
Hagen v. Labor & Industry Review Com’n, 201 Wis.2d 51 (1996) (Shoulder Injuries in Workers’ Compensation law)
Betthauser v. Medical Protective Company, 172 Wis.2d 141 (1992) (Statute of Limitations in Medical Malpractice)
Winslow v. Brown, 125 Wis.2d 327 (Ct.App. 1985) (Tort of civil conspiracy)
Community Involvement
St. Patrick School: Fund Raising Committee
Mauston High School: Athletic Booster Club Founder & Director
Mauston High School: Music Concert Series Board
Boys’ Club and St. Patrick School Basketball Coach
Peer Review and Awards
