Louis Butler

How Republicans Screwed Themselves

Aggressively pushing for laws, policies meant to help them. But Democrats now benefiting.

100 current and former judges endorse Judge Chris Taylor for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Endorsements from across Wisconsin demonstrate broad judicial support for Taylor's commitment to justice for all

The Rise and Fall Of Michael Gableman

And how the Wisconsin Supreme Court became hyper-political.

Prosser Won’t Name Others Advising On Protasiewicz Impeachment

American Oversight has sued, demanding Vos name other members of panel.

What’s Next for Kelli Thompson?

The head of state public defender's office, now retiring, getting mentioned as possible state Supreme Court candidate.

3 Scenarios For GOP Threats Against Protasiewicz

Federal and state case law suggest there are no grounds for impeachment.

Former Judge Derek Mosley Working To Get Milwaukee Talking

Mosley, now with Marquette, hopes to break down barriers, promote civil discourse.

Janet Protasiewicz Defeats Kelly, Flips Supreme Court For Liberals

Her win creates liberal majority on Wisconsin's high court for first time in 15 years.

Protasiewicz Embraces Democratic Issues

If elected, Supreme Court candidate could flip state on abortion, gerrymandering, election laws.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Has Highest Percentage of Women Justices

That's 86%, compared to a 38% average for all state high courts.

Geenen Challenges Walker-Appointed Judge

Bill Brash’s campaign email promises he will be a conservative, links him with Dan Kelly.

Evers Messes Up PSC Appointments

Three appointees in a row have had conflicts of interest, which is good news for utilities.

Supreme Court Race All About Sex Offenders

Which is strange because the state high court will probably never rule on such cases.

Protasiewicz, Kelly To Face Off In High-Stakes Supreme Court Race

Jennifer Dorow falls to Kelly in hotly-contested race between conservatives.

How State Supreme Court Races Got So Partisan

Outside groups spent $27,000 on 2003 race. By 2020 that rose to $5 million.

Democrats Retain Capitol ‘Firewalls’

Barnes sets record, the most telling campaign quote and Northwest Wisconsin turns red.

Why Gableman Courts Controversy

His latest blowup in the courtroom is part of a pattern.

Big Money Is Taking Over the Courts

Wealthy, right-wing interests are assaulting the integrity of the judiciary.

Should Michael Gableman Investigate 2020 Election?

Vos picks ethically challenged former justice who's already declared election stolen.

Vos Picks Gableman To Lead Election Probe

Announcement comes just one day after GOP Assembly Speaker attacked by Trump.

Why Shirley Abrahamson Mattered

For decades one of the leading state supreme court judges in the nation.

Justice Reyna Morales Launches Campaign to Retain Seat

Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler endorses Judge Jon Richards

Karofsky Easily Defeats Kelly

54-46 margin for liberal candidate in race for Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradley endorses Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul Endorses Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme

Justice Louis Butler endorses Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Judge Rachel Graham Announce Campaign to Retain Her Seat on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals

Her campaign has been endorsed by four current and former Supreme Court Justices

Justice Louis Butler endorses Rebecca Kiefer for Milwaukee County Judge

“Rebecca is the right choice for Milwaukee County,” said Justice Butler.

High Court Race 4th Closest in State History

Hagedorn’s margin of 0.495% is tighter than 121 of 125 state Supreme Court races since 1850s.

10 Lessons of Supreme Court Race

Anger drives votes, media in decline, traditional judicial campaigns are dead, and more.

Recusal At Issue in High Court Race

State Supreme Court has one of nation’s weakest rules to prevent ethical conflicts.

Evers Embraces Expertise

Hiring talented people, appointing expert advisors, who knew you could govern that way?

Evers Has Many Advisers

And they are being asked to take on a huge agenda of possible reforms.

Evers Forms Panel On Prison Reform

Includes two former Supreme Court justices, three former prisons administrators.

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Policy Advisory Council

"We have to start prioritizing people, not prisons."

How Walker Transformed Wisconsin’s Courts

One-third of all judges in state appointed by Republican governor.

4th Street Rededicated Vel R. Phillips Ave.

A who's who ceremony of politicians and candidates turns out to honor legacy of Vel Phillips.

Justice Dallet Sworn in to Wisconsin Supreme Court

Says in this time of division our future "lies in accepting and honoring our differences."

Justice Louis Butler Endorses Danielle Shelton for Milwaukee County Judge

"I’m honored to have the support of Justice Butler..."

Attack On Matt Flynn Is Unfair

Blaming lawyers for sins of their clients is simply wrong.

The Long Arm of the WMC

Big business group wants to buy another high court justice, as WMC has admitted.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler announces support for Judge Rebecca Dallet

Justice Louis Butler joins more than 300 local leaders, elected officials, and judges from across the state in supporting Judge Rebecca Dallet for Supreme Court.

Judges At MU Panel Demand Recusal Rules

Common Cause and judges at town hall meeting say state’s judicial system must be reformed.

Why Gableman Is Stepping Down

And how will that affect the race for Supreme Court?

Please Reform the Courts, Judges Ask

54 retired judges urge Supreme Court to require recusal for cases with big donors.

District Attorney John Chisholm earns support of community leaders, elected officials, labor unions, citizen organizations, and law enforcement groups

Chisholm, a veteran of the United States Army, was first elected in 2006 after serving 12 years as an assistant prosecutor, including leading the gun unit.

Are Conservative Groups Hiding Campaign Spending?

Anti-Kloppenburg ads could be funded by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Club for Growth

The Two Homes of Rebecca Bradley

Judge has Tosa Colonial and a Lower East Side condo near all those gays she condemned.

Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, Jr. Endorses Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg

“I am honored by Justice Butler’s support”

Citizen Action of Wisconsin Endorses Judge Joe Donald for State Supreme Court

Judge Joe Donald the most experienced & qualified judicial candidate

Gwen Connolly campaign showing huge momentum

After her opponent this week jumped to the Branch 31 race, Connolly is widely seen as the prohibitive favorite to be the next judge in Branch 44.

The Plague of Lead Paint Poisoning

The problem persists, with more impact on Milwaukee than many cities. Is there a solution?

Can Daley Beat Bradley for Supreme Court?

Challenger could get lots of right-wing money, but that may not be enough in this case.

Judge Derek Mosley’s 160-Year-Old Home

The municipal judge's home is unique -- just one of just 38 in town built before the Civil War.

Supreme Court Decisions Favor Lawyers Who Donate

Study shows justices don't recuse in 98% of cases involving attorneys and Abrahamson gets the most money.

More Power for Pat?

Roggensack’s reelection solidifies her power and that of the conservative bloc she often leads.

Hines Would Reduce Fire & Police Commission Power

Council appears to back radical change, Barrett seems lukewarm.

The Inaugural

Marvin Pratt did not stand up with the crowd when Tom Barrett was inaugurated mayor, and the press has made a good deal of the slight. However, just after Judge Louis Butler administered the oath of office to the new mayor, Barrett’s first comments were to commend Pratt, and the former acting mayor did stand up and take a bow. The ceremonies were held April 20th outside of City Hall in some perfectly dreadful Milwaukee spring weather. So, who was the idiot who came up with that idea? “I’m the idiot who thought to hold it outside,” fessed up Kris Martinsek. After all, the president is inaugurated outdoors in January. However, January in Washington is not nearly as unpleasant as Milwaukee in April. The stage was set up on Wells Street, facing east. Upon the stage sat Milwaukee’s new leaders, including the mayor, the common council, the comptroller, treasurer, city attorney, city clerk and a municipal judge. Their families sat out in the street and in the adjacent park next to the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building. Frank P. Zeidler was there himself, sandwiched between Marvin Pratt and Senator Herb Kohl. Kohl was dressed as he always is around here. He wore a shirt, a tie, a Milwaukee Bucks cap and a windbreaker. Except for the tie, he pretty much looked like the guy who harvests aluminum cans from my recycling bin. If he tried to walk on to the floor of the United States Senate in that getup, the sergeant-at-arms would toss him out. But this is Milwaukee, the “come as you are” capital of America, and he fit right in. Barrett has made a list of 18 things he wants to accomplish in his first hundred days in office. I don’t know if reducing the police overtime budget is one of them, but the men in blue were certainly racking up the hours during the interminable ceremony. The aldermen were sworn in sequentially according to district. Each alderman then gave a little speech. The last district, the 15th, is occupied by Willie Hines, who is now the Common Council president. He then gave a big speech. He began by saying, “my ascent to the Council Presidency is not a compromise or consolation prize for the African-American community.” This was an effective way to defuse speculation that his election was a compromise or consolation prize, and was a rather sharp thing to do. Hines also insisted that corruption will not taint his council. (We’ll check back on that in four years.) His delivery was generally quite good, and had a hint of religious fervor to it. Moments earlier, he did have a slip up. When Valarie Hill was about to be sworn in as municipal judge, Hines said, “The City Clerk will now come to the altar – er, the podium – to take the oath.” Also, when Hines introduced the new mayor he called him “Mayor Marvin Pratt – er, Mayor Barrett.” These things happen. The Common Council […]

The Jewish Judge Who’s a Quarter Irish

Governor James E. Doyle told about 75 people at Mo’s Irish Pub last Friday that “there are a number of good things I can do as governor. … I get to appoint people to the bench. As a lawyer and the son of a judge, I take this seriously.” What does the governor look for in a judge? – He’s appointed about 6 of them so far –“I get a list of very – incredibly good people. I could pick them out of a hat. But I look for intelligence, fairness, and understanding of people. Also, frankly, some much needed diversity.” Doyle got diversity all right when he appointed Glenn Yamahiro as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge last year. Yamahiro, a former public defender, lawyer in private practice, and teacher of disturbed students, is also the first Asian-American to sit on the bar in Wisconsin. He is that, and more, the crowd, gathered for a fundraiser, was to learn. Yamahiro told the crowd that he was proud to be “the first [judicial] appointee by a democratic governor in almost 20 years.” Yamahiro is running for a full term against former Judge Robert Crawford, whose antics on the bench in the past cost him his seat to Judge Louis Butler, who was present, as were such other judges as Jean DiMotto, Ted Wedemeyer, Tom Donegan, Paul Wall and judge wannabees like Audrey Skwierawski. Attorneys including the venerable Dominic Frinzi and Mark Thomsen popped in for the gig. Yamahiro has already proven himself to be one of the more amusing speakers on the bench, and among politicians generally. “I told the governor at the time of my appointment that any opponent I would get would be buried at the election. “Now we have to come through on that promise,” he said, to the general assent of the assembled, not eager for a return of the goofy Crawford. Yamahiro rubbed it in: “If it was an election of the informed, we wouldn’t need this gathering,” he said. Do not think that Yamahiro tried to coast by solely on the merits of his wit and the novelty of his Asian background. “I am the first Asian-American judge in Wisconsin, but I did have a grandma in Iowa, born about 100 years ago. Her name was Morrissey. So I have 25 percent Irish blood, and I am happy to be in Mo’s Irish Pub with the Guinness flowing.” The crowd really liked this intercultural news, and I talked to Deja Vishny, a public defender with a really cool name – and yet another story. “I’m Glenn’s wife,” she said. The couple has one child, who attends a Jewish elementary school. “I’m Jewish,” she explained. “So is Glenn,” she added. Observations From the Governor On the Legislature You get the feeling from Governor Jim Doyle that the legislature is acting like a pesky housefly that he has to keep swatting at. The recent meetings of the august representatives of the people were characterized in this […]

Why Unions Don’t Like Scott Walker

Given that Jim Ryan has not closed the door completely on privatizing some government functions, you might wonder why he was endorsed by labor for county executive.

Is Wisconsin Short-Changed By Its Top Foundation?

With the resignation of Michael Joyce, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation is looking for a new president.