Walker appoints seven to Judicial Selection Advisory Committee

On Friday, Gov. Scott Walker appointed seven members to his new Judicial Selection Advisory Committee.

The purpose of the committee, as created by Executive Order 29, is to provide Walker insight on the quality of candidates for judicial appointments.

Walker is currently seeking candidates for two judicial vacancies on the circuit court: Dane County Judge Daniel Moeser retired June 24 and Kenosha County Judge Barbara Kluka is leaving the bench Aug. 30.

Walker spokesperson Cullen Werwie said the formation of the committee has nothing to do with a forthcoming proposal by two state senators encouraging a move to merit selection for Supreme Court justices and appellate court judges, instead of elections.

In May, Walker named former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michael Brennan as chair of the committee and appointed seven additional members to serve 12-month renewable terms.

In addition to Brennan, who is an attorney at Gass Weber Mullins LLC, Milwaukee, Walker selected the following: Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek SC attorney Don Daugherty; Foley & Lardner LLP associate Katherine Longley; Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP litigation manager Jerry Gonzalez; Ruder Ware attorney Lon Roberts; Curran, Hollenbeck & Orton SC attorney Bill Curran; Michael Best & Friedrich LLP attorney Eric McLeod; and Hertel & Gibbs SC lawyer Steven Gibbs.