Butler says hello and goodbye to new attorneys

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As 131 recent graduates from the University of Wisconsin Law School looked to the future after being sworn in as attorneys on June 11, Supreme Court Justice Louis B. Butler Jr. encouraged each of them to cherish their past.

Butler, a 1977 UW Law School graduate, gave his final remarks to members of the 2008 class throughout the morning and will end his term on the bench in July.

“This is my last chance to speak with you,” said Butler. “Never forget that you had the opportunity to study under some of the finest minds in law.”

A group of more than 30 attorneys and all six fellow justices offered extensive applause to Butler after his comments at the 10:30 ceremony, which included comments from Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson and State Bar of Wisconsin President Thomas J. Basting, Sr.

2 Rhoades follow different paths

One makes the laws and the other one will defend them.

Such is the case for Wisconsin State Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson, and her youngest son, Michael Rhoades, who was sworn in as an attorney on June 11.

The recent University of Wisconsin Law School graduate joined 130 other eager legal minds at the Supreme Court room in the State Capitol, where his mom maintains an office a few hundred feet away.

“I have two brothers who attended and graduated from UW Law School, so it’s been great fun to be able to bring the next generation through as well,” said the proud mother, who never had any ambition to join the legal ranks. “That is not who or what I am.”

Likewise, when asked if he ever expects to takes up permanent residence in the State Capitol, the younger Rhoades offered a restrained response.

“I think that’s a question beyond the scope of my current understanding,” said Michael, who will join the Army’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps for a four-year commitment in October.

Kitty Rhoades said the decision came as a surprise to her, but she has another son who served in the Army’s military police.

“I’m very proud of him and I think it will be a challenge, but I hope he will always be safe,” Kitty Rhoades said of her youngest son.

Michael said he considered joining a private firm out of law school, but did not want to pass up the opportunity to serve his country.

“I think there are a lot of politically charged military messages these days and I don’t really put stock in much of that,” said Michael. “I think more than anything else young men and women who join the military are making a very strong commitment on our behalf and they should enjoy the best legal services we can provide.”

— Jack Zemlicka