Finding someone to fill the role of district attorney in Oconto County is proving more difficult than anticipated.
When Gov. Tony Evers appointed District Attorney Hannah Schuchart to fill the unexpired term of Judge Michael T. Judge, he originally had an April 10 deadline to apply to fill her unexpired term.
Now, the governor is accepting applications on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled.
The new district attorney will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends January 2029.
To apply, email a completed application form and supporting materials to GovDAapp@wisconsin.gov.
The application is available on the “Apply to Serve” page of Evers’ website at www.evers.wi.gov.
For questions about the appointment process, contact the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel at 608-266-1212.
On March 25, Evers announced the appointment of Schuchart as judge, following the May 1 retirement of Judge, who had more than 20 years of judicial service and a legal career that spanned more than five decades.
“With experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, along with well-established relationships in the community and a history of service, Hannah Schuchart will serve the people of Oconto County well,” Evers said.
Schuchart has served as the Oconto County district attorney since 2022. Earlier in her career, she was an assistant district attorney in Brown County and an assistant state public defender in Oconto and Marinette counties.
“Gov. Evers has made an outstanding appointment of District Attorney Hannah Schuchart to serve as circuit court judge for Oconto County,” said Brown County Circuit Court Judge Marc Hammer. “Hannah brings experience, fairness and integrity to the bench. Judge Schuchart will continue to follow the rule of law as she has done throughout her distinguished career.”
Schuchart lives in Abrams and is a graduate of Purdue University and the Michigan State University College of Law.
“I am honored to accept this appointment by Gov. Evers,” Schuchart said. “In the years that I have served this amazing community, first as an assistant state public defender and later as the district attorney, I have gained an appreciation for the hard work, sacrifice and selflessness of its members.
“I have worked hard to represent the interests of Oconto County through the prosecution of criminal offenses and am eager to see that the focus remains on the safety and well-being of its citizens when I take the bench. I commit to all members of this community to exercise sound judgment and discharge my duties with integrity, trust and transparency. My courtroom will be one where all are welcome, and where everyone is given a fair opportunity to be heard.”
Judge served as the Branch I circuit court judge in Oconto County and was first elected to the bench in 2005. In a letter submitted to Evers, Judge said he was truly grateful to serve the people of Oconto County.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Oconto County for the past 20 years,” Judge wrote. “Serving the residents of Oconto County has been a humbling, fulfilling and memorable experience.”
Before joining the bench, he spent 32 years in private law practice prior to his election in 2005. During his judicial career, Judge also served as deputy chief judge in the Eighth Judicial Administrative District.
Judge reflected on the length of his career in his retirement announcement, noting he is stepping down after five decades in the legal profession.
“After 53 years of an extremely satisfying legal career, I have reached a point where it is time for me to step down and evaluate where the next challenge will find me,” he wrote.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Michael T. Judge retired May 1, concluding more than 20 years of judicial service and a legal career that spans more than five decades. For the past two decades, he has served as a circuit court judge in Oconto County. (Contributed)
