Louis B. Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honorable
Louis B. Butler Jr.
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| Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court | |
| In office August 1, 2004 – July 31, 2008 |
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| Appointed by | Jim Doyle |
| Preceded by | Diane S. Sykes |
| Succeeded by | Michael Gableman |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the Milwaukee Circuit, Branch 9 |
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| In office August 1, 2002 – August 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Robert W. Crawford |
| Succeeded by | Paul R. Van Grunsven |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Louis Bennett Butler Jr.
February 15, 1952 Chicago, Illinois |
| Spouse | Irene |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater |
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Louis Bennett Butler Jr. (born February 15, 1952) is a former judge who served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. He was chosen for this important role by Governor Jim Doyle in August 2004. His time on the court ended on July 31, 2008.
Justice Butler made history as the first African American to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Later, President Barack Obama nominated him to become a United States district judge. This means he would have served in a federal court, but his nomination was not approved by the Senate.
Contents
About Louis Butler
Early Life and Education
Louis Butler was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He went to Lawrence University and earned his bachelor's degree in 1973. After that, he studied law at the University of Wisconsin Law School, getting his law degree in 1977.
Starting His Legal Career
From 1979 to 1992, Louis Butler worked as an assistant state public defender. This job involves representing people who cannot afford a lawyer.
After that, he became a judge for the Municipal Court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as a municipal judge until 2002. In 2002, he was elected as a Wisconsin circuit court judge for Milwaukee County. He won against the judge who was already in that position, Robert Crawford. Judge Butler also taught as a professor at Marquette University Law School.
Time on the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Louis Butler tried to become a judge on the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2000, but he did not win that election. However, in 2004, he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This was a big step in his career.
In 2008, he ran for re-election but was defeated by Judge Michael Gableman. Justice Butler was the first sitting Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to lose a re-election campaign since 1967. After his defeat, he agreed to work at the University of Wisconsin Law School. He served as a "Justice-in-Residence" from 2008 to 2010, teaching classes and clinics.
Federal Judge Nomination
On September 30, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Louis Butler to be a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. This would have been a federal judge position. However, his nomination was sent back to the President several times by the Senate.
President Obama nominated him again in January 2010 and September 2010. But the Senate did not approve his nomination. An article from NPR in 2011 mentioned that some nominees, including Louis Butler, had to wait a long time for approval. His nomination was finally returned to the President in December 2011.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- Barack Obama judicial appointment controversies
