WASHINGTON COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE BRANCH 2
Wisconsin’s courts play a vital role in protecting our rights and upholding the rule of law. State courts hear approximately 95% of all cases, including matters involving families, contracts, criminal law, voting rights, juvenile justice, and constitutional questions. They are the final arbiters of state law and the Wisconsin Constitution.The Wisconsin Circuit Courts are the main trial courts for civil and criminal cases in the Wisconsin court system. They also hear cases appealed from Municipal Courts and from administrative hearings. At least one circuit court judge serves in each of the state's 72 counties. Voters elect Circuit Court judges to serve six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. There is no term limit.Learn more
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Gordon Leech
(NON)
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Grant Scaife
(NON)
How does your background demonstrate your commitment to public service and the fair administration of justice?
How will your experience assist you in working with people from different backgrounds who will come before you in court?
How will you ensure you remain impartial in practice and appearance while serving in this judicial office?
What steps will you take to ensure fairness in both civil and criminal decisions for all who come before the court?
Please name one current or former US Supreme Court Justice you admire and explain your reasoning.
Recorded Candidate Interview
Committee
Gordon Leech for Judge
Education
B.S. Pennsylvania State University; J.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
I began my career serving our country in the Marine Corps. I worked as a state prosecutor and took State Public Defender cases while working as criminal defense counsel. I also took cases from Volunteer Lawyers Project to help people in underrepresented matters like consumer protection. I have served in many leadership roles in community and professional organizations. As a current judge in Washington County, I act like an umpire, calling balls and strikes. I don't try to score points for one side or the other. I approach each case without prejudging any issue, party or the evidence. I remain unbiased, I fairly apply the rules of procedure and evidence, I apply the rule of law as given to me by the legislature and higher courts, and I let the parties present their case.
My diverse professional experience spanning over 35 years will help me understand the issues and people that come to court. I have been a criminal prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. I have represented people and businesses in various civil claims. I've been on different sides of many legal issues. I've represented people in many areas that come before the court. My personal experiences will also help me. I've raised three children, now adults. I went through a divorce, and I'm now remarried and have three teenage stepchildren. I also served in the military which has the most diverse environment.
I keep politics and partisan influences out of the courtroom. I am not a member of a political party and won't be as long as I am judge. I don't seek endorsements or other benefits from partisan organizations or organizations that have a regular role in cases that come before the court. I recognize my role is to apply the rule of law given to me by the legislature and handed down by higher courts. I don't make policy and don't create law.
I will continue my current practices to ensure fairness for all matters that come to court. I apply the law. I don't prejudge a case. I ensure the rules of procedure and evidence are applied fairly and consistently. I give the people that come to court the same respect I hope to receive from them. By treating people respectfully, ruling without bias, and ensuring decisions are fair, I hope the parties will respect the court's decisions.
I have to name two. Justices Ginsberg and Scalia. Scalia was a strict originalist that applied his textual approach to constitutional interpretation regardless of his own belief in whether the outcome was good or bad, putting the burden on the people to change bad law, not the court. Ginsberg looked to how the constitution should be interpreted to avoid bad results. Both justices were strong advocates on opposite sides of opinions many times. They represented opposing judicial philosophies that brought diverse perspectives to the court, but they maintained a very good working and professional relationship. The represent how we as society should handle our differences: listening to each other and maintaining respectful disagreement when necessary.
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Committee
Scaife for Judge
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