Kremers touts progress of Justice Center; notes court budget cutbacks

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There was good news and bad news shared at the Seventh Annual Milwaukee County State of the Courts Luncheon on Oct. 13.

Chief Judge Jeffrey A. Kremers touted the progress and planned expansion of the Milwaukee Justice Center, located within the courthouse.

The legal resource center for unrepresented litigants has seen a rapid increase in the number of citizens taking advantage of advice on divorce matters, child support, name changes and small claims matters.

Based on the growing need, the Justice Center is planning to “build out” its current location in Room G9 of the courthouse as well as expand services in the future.

Kremers also noted the potential for severe cutbacks in court operations in 2011, specifically reductions in wage and benefits for court staff as well as the possibility for 26 furlough days.

He called the furlough possibility “counterproductive” to court operations and noted that the service time lost would be the equivalent of “axing 25 full-time positions.”

Beyond the budgetary discussion, Milwaukee Bar Association Chair of the Legal Services to the Indigent Committee Laura Gramling Perez presented the 2010 Pro Bono Publico awards to retired Milwaukee Municipal Court Judge James A. Gramling, third-year Marquette University Law School student Stacie Lamb and Foley & Lardner LLP.

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