Gov. Evers names Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine White to the state appeals court

Milwaukee County Chief Judge Maxine White was named Thursday by Gov. Tony Evers to fill a seat on the state Court of Appeals.  

“Judge White is a passionate, dedicated jurist who is committed to ensuring that all people — regardless of background — are treated fairly in our courts,” said Evers, a Democrat. “She will add a much-needed perspective to the Court of Appeals.”

White's promotion to the District 1 Court of Appeals comes a little more than six months after White fended off an effort by a minority of Milwaukee County judges to remove her from her leadership post as chief judge. 

As chief judge, she is responsible for administrative, fiscal and personnel oversight of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, which is made up of 47 judges. She was responsible for helping to secure $4.5 million in grants from the MacArthur Foundation aimed at reducing jail misuse and overuse. 

White, 68, was first appointed to the Milwaukee County bench in 1992 by former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican. She has been reelected since then. 

White will replace appeals Judge Joan Kessler, who is stepping down Feb. 7. White will complete a term ending July 31, 2021.

White beat out Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Pedro Colón, a former Democratic lawmaker. Colón, 51, was first appointed by former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in 2010. 

The other two finalists for the appellate post were Milwaukee County Deputy Corporation Counsel Anne Kearney, 54, and Pamela Moorshead, an assistant state public defender. She is also 54. 

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.