Judge Wedemeyer left mark on legal community

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Shock and surprise are the two words many members of the legal community used to describe their reaction to the death of appellate court Judge Ted E. Wedemeyer Jr.

The District I judge passed away on July 23, five months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

“I was among those surprised by the news when it came into our office,” said Barbara J. Janaszek, immediate past chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Appellate Practice Section.

“His intention to keep [his illness] confidential was carried out.”

Though Wedemeyer, 75, disclosed his disease to few, it did not affect his ability to do his job on the court, according to attorney Thomas L. Shriner Jr.

“I last saw him in April when I had oral argument and as usual, he was quite active on the panel,” said Shriner. “He was on the bench with [Judge Ralph Adam] Fine, so he had trouble getting a word in edgewise, but he was prepared and engaged.”

Milwaukee Bar Association President Maria S. Lazar called Wedemeyer’s death a “large loss to the legal community,” but remembered the judge for his lighter side.

Although she never argued before him in court, Lazar performed with Wedemeyer at past Judges Night ceremonies in Milwaukee.

“Aside from his singing talent, socially, he was a joy to work with,” joked Lazar.

Lazar said it is likely that the MBA will recognize Wedemeyer’s contributions in its annual memorial ceremony.

Wedemeyer championed the use of cameras in state courtrooms and began his judicial career when he was appointed the first municipal court judge for the city of Milwaukee in 1975. His municipal court became the first to allow cameras.

In 1982 Wedemeyer won election to the District I Court of Appeals. After a failed re-election bid six years later, he spent three years as a circuit court judge in Milwaukee, before returning to the appellate court for good in 1991.

Wedemeyer’s current six-year term was to expire next spring.

A spokesperson from Gov. Jim Doyle’s office did not immediately know whether someone would be appointed prior to the 2009 spring election.

Wedemeyer’s 23 years of appellate court service were the most among the four judges in District I, followed by Judge Fine with 20 years on the court. Fine’s current term expires in 2012.

Presiding Judge Patricia S. Curley joined the court in 1996 and Judge Joan F. Kessler was elected in 2004.

Janaszek said Wedemeyer served as a “calming influence” in the district and his loss signals a transitional period for the court.

Shriner said Wedemeyer struck him as someone who was still very comfortable and capable on the bench.

“I would have thought he might be one of those guys not in a hurry to retire,” said Shriner. “If you like your work, which is true of a lot of judges, your are not disqualified from being a good judge by age.”