Louis B. Butler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honorable
Louis B. Butler Jr.
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Butler in 2009
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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, U.S. |
| Spouse | Irene |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater |
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Louis Bennett Butler Jr. (born February 15, 1952) is a former justice 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. However, his nomination did not receive a final vote in the Senate.
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About Louis Butler Jr.
Louis Butler was born and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He studied hard and earned his bachelor's degree from Lawrence University in 1973. He then went on to get his law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1977.
Early Legal Career
After finishing law school, Louis Butler worked as an assistant state public defender from 1979 to 1992. A public defender is a lawyer who helps people who cannot afford to hire their own attorney.
In 1992, he was appointed to the Municipal Court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as a municipal judge for ten years. In 2002, he was elected as a Wisconsin circuit court judge for Milwaukee County. He also taught law as a professor at Marquette University Law School.
Time on the Supreme Court
Louis Butler first tried to join the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2000, but he did not win that election. However, in 2004, he was appointed to the court.
In April 2008, Justice Butler ran for re-election but was defeated by Judge Michael Gableman. He was the first sitting Wisconsin Supreme Court justice to lose a re-election campaign since 1967. Some people believed his loss was due to his decisions in certain legal cases.
After the Supreme Court
After leaving the Supreme Court, Justice Butler became a Justice-in-Residence at the University of Wisconsin Law School. From 2008 to 2010, he taught several courses there.
On September 30, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Butler to serve as a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. This nomination was sent back to the President later that year. President Obama nominated him again in January 2010 and September 2010. However, the Senate did not confirm his nomination, and it was returned to the President in December 2011.
See also
- List of African-American jurists
- Barack Obama judicial appointment controversies
