Janet Claire Protasiewicz, an American lawyer and judge born on December 3, 1962, will replace retiring Justice Daniel Kelly on the Wisconsin Supreme Court after being elected in 2023. Since 2014, she’s been presiding over cases in the Wisconsin circuit court for Milwaukee County. She spent the prior 26 years working as an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee.
Where Was Janet Protasiewicz Born And Raised?
Protasiewicz spent his formative years in the city’s south side. Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Wisconsin–Department Milwaukee of Education (1985), and her J.D. is from Marquette University Law School (1988).
How Did Janet Protasiewicz Start Her Career?
Protasiewicz started working for the District Attorney’s office in Milwaukee County soon after he finished law school. She worked as an associate district attorney for the office for 26 years.
She participated in the union while employed by the district attorney’s office. Since Act 10 of 2011, also known as the “Budget Repair Bill,” robbed Wisconsin unions of many of their collective bargaining powers, she participated in several protests against the law.
In 2013, she bid for public office, challenging the incumbent Rebecca Bradley for the circuit judge position in Milwaukee County. After being appointed to the office by Republican Governor Scott Walker, Bradley easily won the election. With 47% of the vote, Protasiewicz came in second.
However, Judge Charles Kahn of Milwaukee County announced his retirement one year later. Without any other candidates, Protasiewicz easily won the open seat. In 2020, she easily won another term in office. Protasiewicz currently presides over cases involving domestic violence and drug offenses as a circuit judge.
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Wisconsin Supreme Court
In the spring of 2022, Protasiewicz intended to run for Wisconsin’s 2023 Supreme Court election. Once Justice Patience Roggensack announced her retirement, three more people ran for her seat. Protasiewicz won the nonpartisan primary in February and advanced to the general election in April.
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Daniel Kelly ran against her in the general election. Throughout her run for the Supreme Court, Protasiewicz was open about her views on important subjects like abortion, gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights, and environmental safeguards.
She is pro-choice and is against the Republican-drawn legislative districts in her state. The April 4 general election was a landslide victory for Protasiewicz over Kelly. Within a few hours of the voting ends, news outlets were declaring her the winner.
What is the Personal Life of Janet Protasiewicz?
Protasiewicz grew up in a Catholic household with her mother and stepfather. She and her husband, tax lawyer Greg Sell, live in Franklin. Protasiewicz’s ex-husband is Wisconsin circuit judge Patrick Madden.
