James A. Morrison

Professional career

• Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Administrative District, which includes Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, and Waupaca counties

Education

Additional information

• He was elected to a six-year term in 2013 and re-elected in 2019.
• Appointed to the Marinette County Circuit Court in 2012 by Governor Walker.
• In 1976, he moved to Marinette, Wisconsin, where he continued practicing as an attorney until 2012.
• He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from the College of Saint Thomas in 1970 and graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1973, where he was a member of the Minnesota Law Review.
• After law school, Morrison practiced law in Chicago for three and a half years
• representing a wide range of clients.
• handling complex commercial cases.
• overseeing administrative leadership and guiding circuit courts statewide.
• Highly experienced jurist with a long-standing career in both private practice and the Wisconsin judicial system.
• Judge Morrison has held the role of Chair of the Committee of Chief Judges
• During this period, he gained extensive experience in private practice and became actively involved in the local legal community.
• He has also been involved in the Wisconsin Court System's Commercial Court Pilot Program
• In Marinette County, he established a drug court, CASA program, and mental health court, reflecting his commitment to innovative judicial programs.
• His leadership roles, program development, and involvement in statewide judicial administration highlight his significant contributions to the legal community.
• He has also served on the Supreme Court Finance Committee, the executive and legislative committees of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, and was formerly Chair of the Board of Bar Examiners.
• James A. Morrison was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois.
• Morrison has taught numerous judicial education programs and contributed to the professional development of judges across Wisconsin.
• He is married to his wife Barbara and has three children and six grandchildren.