Pocan sworn in as judge

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Ever since he was a child growing up in Kenosha, William S. Pocan wanted to be a judge, so he took the logical first step and became a lawyer.

For 22 years, Pocan sculpted a successful litigation career at Jastroch & LaBarge S.C. in Waukesha.

He dabbled in everything from serving as a guardian ad litem to handling consumer protection cases, but his time in front of the bench ended on July 17 when Pocan received a seat on it.

Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Pocan, 45, to replace retiring Judge Michael P. Sullivan as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge. Pocan was sworn in Friday and assumed his new role as judge Monday.

“I always wanted to be a judge, even before I wanted to be a lawyer and it’s an honor and a welcome challenge,” said Pocan. “I have huge shoes to fill, but I’ll do my best to live up to the tradition of Branch 26.”

“Gov. Doyle has a track record as attorney general and governor as someone who always stood on the side of consumer, and he likely found my background interesting and important,” said Pocan. “I’ve heard him use the word diversity when talking about my appointment, because my legal background differs from other judges.”

Pocan spent roughly half of his career working a variety of consumer cases including automobile fraud, lemon law and warranty issues.

Circumstances often tangled his clients with major automotive companies and Pocan relished the environment.

“The biggest thing I’ll miss is the day-to-day contact with consumers,” said Pocan. “I enjoyed representing people who often fell between public defense attorneys and the wealthy. There is a vast middle of working-class people I care a lot about.”

The new judge is content to leave the legislative political aspirations to his father who was an alderman in Kenosha and his brother Mark, a state representative in Madison.

Pocan hopes to validate his appointment as judge by remembering time spent arguing in front of one.

“It would have been very difficult for me to become a circuit court judge if I hadn’t had the day-to-day experience in front of hundreds of judges,” said Pocan. “I’d like to think I have learned a few things over the years and can incorporate them into my new career.”

The majority of new circuit court judges begin their tenure at the juvenile or misdemeanor levels and Pocan was ecstatic to learn he would start his career at the Milwaukee County Children’s Court Center in Wauwatosa.

“If I had a choice, this is where I wanted to start,” said Pocan. “The work reminds me of the guardian ad litem I started out doing and will deal with subjects I am familiar with like family issues, foster kids, quasi-civil and criminal cases.”

The case content will not be the only thing comfortable for Pocan, who expects to handle a workload similar to his days as an attorney.

“Free time was always a bit sparse and I assume the same will be true as a judge,” said Pocan. “Some people at the juvenile court were laughing when they realized I was a big reader. Novels will become secondary to things like the juvenile court bench book and juvenile court statutes.”

A resident of Milwaukee’s east side since 1985, Pocan frequently partakes in everything the neighborhood has to offer, but regretted his unusual absence from Summerfest this year.

“I cannot remember the last time I didn’t go, but when the governor gives you a call and asks if you can start your new job in two weeks, concessions can be made,” said Pocan.

Jack Zemlicka can be reached by email.