Court of Appeals judge stepping down with 4 years left on term

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Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Mark Mangerson will retire July 31 after less than three years on the District 3 bench.

Gov. Scott Walker appointed Mangerson, 65, to the appeals court in 2011 to fill a spot vacated by former Judge Ed Brunner, who had stepped down. In 2012, Mangerson won an election to retain his spot. He will retire with four years left in his term.

The longtime judge served on the Oneida County Circuit Court from 1987 to 2011.

Mangerson said the amount he makes as an appellate court judge – $136,316 in 2013 – is roughly the amount he will receive from his pension and social security benefits. Combine that with wanting to visit eight grandchildren in five states, he said, and it’s time to step down.

Mangerson said being on the Court of Appeals “has been much more laid back” than being a circuit court judge.

“It’s been really enjoyable,” he said. “There are good people on the Court of Appeals. It’s fun to discuss cases. It’s exhilarating.”

He said he doesn’t plan to go into private practice but would like to work as a reserve judge.

Mangerson was Oneida County’s district attorney from 1977 to 1983. He served as the DA and corporation counsel for neighboring Vilas County from 1974 to 1976.

He said he researched and wrote most of his appeals opinions from his home in Rhinelander, only going to the court’s office in Wausau on Mondays and Tuesdays to discuss the cases before the court.

Walker’s office will appoint Mangerson’s successor, according to a news release. An election for that seat will then be held in April 2016.

Those interested in applying can find information on Walker’s website. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. June 3. Follow @eheisigWLJ