Biography

As the middle child, I grew up in Brookfield, Wisconsin, with an older and younger brother. We grew up right next door to my aunt, uncle, and their four children, so we had an actual, extended family.

Before I was born, my mom retired as a schoolteacher when she started our family. She had an artistic touch and, during her free time, created terrific Christmas ornaments and left creative notes for us in our lunches, and even illustrated a poetry book. She was the rock of our family, and kept us together with love and humor until she recently passed away; I miss her enormously.  As for my father, he worked for Northwestern Mutual Life in the contract department. He was a compassionate and amazing man whom I admired and respected. Unfortunately, my father passed away in 2002. Even to this day, I still miss him.  They instilled in me a sense of fairness and independence.  They always encouraged us to strive and reach for our dreams.

As far back as elementary school, I knew I was going to become a lawyer. This realization came in the fourth grade after I realized archeology wasn’t a possibility for me. Through high school, college, and law school, I participated in drama and various musicals, as well as editing a poetry magazine and serving as a school newscaster.

 

While I was in high school, I met my husband when we were both competing in One-Act Play competitions. He’s from Port Washington, Wisconsin. I went to Brookfield East High School. We dated through college and married when I graduated from Mount Mary College (now University), at which I was an honors student on a Presidential Scholarship and later a Wingspread Scholar. During college, I spent one honors semester in New York City attending and studying at the United Nations. After graduating from Mount Mary, I went to Washington, DC to attend Georgetown University Law Center where I earned my law degree.

 

My husband and I returned to Wisconsin to be closer to my family.  I have practiced for about 20 years in private practice in Milwaukee (a business litigation and bankruptcy practice), five years as an Assistant Attorney General for the Wisconsin Department of Justice in Madison, seven years as a Circuit Court Judge in Waukesha, and now three years on the Court of Appeals, District 2.  My last two positions have helped me hone my judicial skills and acumen.

 

After everything was said and done, my parents were happy and proud of their three children. All three of us obtained law degrees, with my two brothers still practicing law. 

My husband Tom and I have been together for over 35 years. Tom is an artist/nature photographer and a true friend and constant support.  We have a close, devoted family, with two spectacular children.  My son is an extraordinarily talented computer programmer and my daughter is pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering.

 

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