Shirley S. Abrahamson, State Supreme Court Candidate, 2009

Below is an essay submitted by Shirley Abrahamson, State Supreme Court Candidate, to explain her candidacy to the Wisconsin business community. WMC is providing essays from all statewide candidates to Wisconsin business leaders leading up to the April 7 election.

The best thing for business is a fair, impartial, independent judiciary. This is the position taken by leading businesses in a case pending before the United States Supreme Court. The friend of the court brief of Intel, Pepsico, Wal-Mart, Lockheed Martin, and other corporations urge: "Public confidence in judicial integrity and in the evenhandedness of the judicial system is a critical element of America’s stable, prosperous business climate."

The concept of a fair, impartial, independent judiciary has guided judges and our country and state during our entire history. This concept is a fundamental aspect of the rule of law, our democratic system and peaceful resolution of disputes. The idea of a fair, impartial, independent, and non-partisan judiciary is at stake in the current election for justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The idea is the hallmark of my campaign; it has been the hallmark of my three previous successful campaigns for the Court.

My record of 450 written decisions and my participation in 3500 written decisions demonstrate that I am a fair, impartial, non-partisan, independent judge who calls each case on the basis of facts and law, not on the basis of a personal ideology, personal agenda, or outside influences.

As Chief Justice, I am the chief executive officer of the entire state judicial system and have led the system in initiating numerous programs to improve access to justice for all and to improve the effective, efficient administration of justice. In these tough economic times the judicial system has continued to do more with less. The programs I have instituted or expanded while chief justice include computer technology and case management, mediation for lenders and homeowners in mortgage foreclosures, a court improvement program for Wisconsin families and children, drug and alcohol treatment courts, a mental health initiative, videoconferencing to enhance public safety and reduce costs, collaborative criminal justice councils, certified court interpreters, aid to veterans with mental health and drug and alcohol abuse to navigate the court system.

How do you know which of the two candidates is the better candidate for a ten year term on the Supreme Court?

The lawyers of Milwaukee County, Dane County and Waukesha County have voted me “well qualified” or “qualified” by overwhelming margins and in comparison with my challenger. If you do not trust these polls, ask your lawyer, your business's lawyer, or any lawyer about who they think is the most qualified candidate for Supreme Court. My bet is that the lawyer will name the Chief Justice, and that’s who I have been since 1996.

The lawyers know my record. Before I went on the Court I practiced law in Madison with a small firm representing individuals and businesses and taught at the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School. I have been elected by the chief justices of all the states as Chief of the Chiefs, that is as President of the National Conference of Chief Justices. I have served as Chair of the National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence and have worked with the FBI and the United States Department of Justice on criminal justice projects. I have been on numerous boards to improve the administration of justice and access to justice.

I have received numerous honors and awards, including the University of Wisconsin Distinguished alumna award, the American Judicature Society Opperman Award for judicial excellence, the American Bar Association Margaret Brent Award as an outstanding woman lawyer and judge. I am the recipient of 15 honorary doctors of law degrees and am featured in the Encyclopedia of Great [top 100] Judges in the United States.

As a lawyer and as a justice I have maintained contact with people across the state, visiting every county in the state numerous times. Judges must not confine themselves to the courtroom; judges must understand people’s perceptions of the system and their difficulties with it, so we can improve that system.

I am endorsed by those who know the work of the Supreme Court -- more than 260 municipal, circuit court and court of appeals judges, 114 Police Chiefs, 34 current and retired sheriffs, and 41 district attorneys have publicly endorsed me. My support across the state is widespread and diverse, from Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike, leaders of business, labor and farm, educators, health care professionals, retirees and Wisconsin families. For my endorsements and other campaign information, see the campaign's website at www.abrahamson2009.com. I ask for your vote on April 7, 2009.