Despite seeing the world, Flanagan at home in courtroom

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If Mel Flanagan had decided not to spend the last 18 years on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court bench, she would have had no shortage of career alternatives.

A St. Louis native, Flanagan, 59, has taught Aikido – a Japanese self defense art – for the last 20 years.

She also teaches art classes and is an avid runner, biker, swimmer and hiker.

Not to mention that she is a travel nut, having visited all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii, where she got her bachelor’s degree.

Flanagan has also spent time in Japan, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.

While she said her continental endeavors and educational offerings keep her well-rounded, it is in the courtroom where Flanagan feels at home.

She said she tries to take a calm approach when presiding over a case, because most involve enough stress for lawyers without the judge adding more.

When tempers flared during a recent trial, Flanagan called a 10-minute break to let the parties cool down, a tactic she said she uses to restore civility.

Flanagan is set to run for her fourth six-year term this spring and took time to reflect on her diverse lifestyle in this week’s Asked & Answered.

Wisconsin Law Journal: If you could develop one CLE course for credit, what would it be about?
Mel Flanagan: Justice — a discussion about what can be done, individually and collectively, to improve the practice of law, protect citizen’s access to legal process and maintain an independent, strong and effective Third Branch of government.

WLJ: What was your least favorite course in law school and why?
Flanagan: Tax Law. I don’t even do my own taxes. I took it, but just limped through it. I’m just not a numbers person.

WLJ: What do you consider your biggest achievement to date and why?
Flanagan: My children. I have two wonderful daughters who inspire me with their energy, enthusiasm and lust for life. One is in Bangladesh working for the United Nations on a clean water project. I went to visit her and it was quite an experience.

WLJ: What is the one luxury item you cannot live without?
Flanagan: Books. That may not seem like a luxury item to some but I can’t imagine my life without books. I love to read and it is a wonderful way to relax and learn.

WLJ: What is one thing attorneys should know that they won’t learn in law school?
Flanagan: There is so much substantive law that students must learn in such a short period of law school that lessons in practical application are sometimes missed. New attorneys have a great deal to learn about how complicated the lives of their clients are and how every action they take has consequences in someone’s life. I am a great advocate of internships out in the legal community and have had dozens of interns in my court.

WLJ: What is the first concert you went to?
Flanagan: Bob Dylan at Southern Illinois University. I think I was a sophomore in high school. It was an outdoor concert in the summer and was wonderful.

WLJ: If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why
Flanagan: A Judge in the International Criminal Court. I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in the Hague visiting several international courts including the ICC and the Yugoslav Tribunal and to meet with the judges and attorneys that work there.  I also spent a week at the European Court of Human Rights.  I am amazed at the magnitude of the issues before them and would love to contribute to their valuable work.

WLJ: What is your motto?
Flanagan: Live life to the fullest and get everything you can out of it.

WLJ: What is your favorite movie about lawyers or the law and why?
Flanagan: “My Cousin Vinny.” I used it once in a CLE for judges because it has so many levels. First, how to treat pro se litigants in court and what an expert witness is. It’s hysterical.

WLJ: If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what career would you have chosen?
Flanagan: A teacher. I have been teaching martial arts for over 25 years and love working with my students. In addition, I am an Associate Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College which is a week-long program mandatory for all new judges and required every six years for experienced judges. I also teach for the National Judicial Education Program for 12 years and I serve on their curriculum development committee, and contribute frequently to continuing education programs for judges and attorneys.

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