Milwaukee County Circuit Court’s Ashley shares lessons from bench

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Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley has presided over a variety of different courts during his 13 years on the bench.

He said he found positives in each experience despite the challenges and frustrations. However, he said, the one “life changing” experience was his time spent on the domestic violence bench in the misdemeanor division.

“When I came into that position … I really had no idea what I was getting into,” he said, “but I thought I did.”

It turned out he still had something to learn.

“DV taught me, ‘Don’t assume you know what you are doing. Get the information, educate yourself and go to training because you can do a lot of harm to families even though you meant to do the right thing,’” Ashley said.

Judges need to take the time to actually understand each case coming before them, he said. Ashley went through that training before going on to receive advanced training in domestic violence. Now, he travels the country sharing what he has learned and training other judges.

Ashley, who took the bench in 1999, has served in the misdemeanor, children’s, and felony divisions. He now sits in the family division where he has been for the past year.

Ashley noted a major challenge in family court is most of the litigants are not represented by counsel.

“It is certainly the people’s court,” he said.

He applauded advances in the system, including the Milwaukee Justice Center and the availability of court-ordered mediation, to help pro se litigants navigate family court.

“We as a judiciary are more in tune to what mediation can do to empower people to make decisions that are good for them and their children,” Ashley said.

Ashley took time away from the bench to participate in Asked & Answered.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What do you wish lawyers thought about most when appearing before you?
Carl Ashley: Be prepared and don’t be afraid to talk to the other lawyer before you get to court. That can be in any division.

WLJ: What is the one thing you do not want to hear in your courtroom?
Ashley: Disrespectful communication.

WLJ: What is your favorite part of being a judge?
Ashley: Helping people navigate the process.

WLJ: What do you miss most about being a lawyer?
Ashley: Arguing to a jury.

WLJ: Who are your favorite authors?
Ashley: Well, Chris Cleave. I just read ‘Little Bee,’ and I thought that was really good. And Jeffrey Toobin, ‘The Nine.’

WLJ: What is your favorite thing to do in Wisconsin?
Ashley: Being with my wife and my two girls; just doing anything with them is a joy.

WLJ: What person do you most admire?
Ashley: Historically, it would be Thurgood Marshall and what he was able to do.

WLJ: What is the one luxury item you cannot live without?
Ashley: I don’t have any luxury items.

WLJ: What word do you wish you had created?
Ashley: Thanks.

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Ashley: I’d have better follow up with my friends.

WLJ: What is your motto?
Ashley: Appreciate the gifts you have.

WLJ: If your children wanted to go into the law, what would you tell them?
Ashley: You would be an excellent lawyer.