Brennan a good choice

As Wisconsin’s attorney general and state public defender, we represent two contrasting sides of our justice system. Yet, despite our often adversarial roles in the courtroom, we jointly recognize the importance of filling the federal judiciary with well-qualified judges.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, in particular, serves the Wisconsin judicial system every day by reviewing many state-court convictions and providing important due-process protections to our citizens. But this important appeals court has several vacancies, and only one judge from Wisconsin currently sits on the 7th Circuit.

Recently, the president nominated Milwaukee native Michael Brennan to fill one of Wisconsin’s seats. Because of Brennan’s qualifications, temperament and rule-of-law judicial philosophy, we enthusiastically support this nomination and urge support for his timely confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Lawyers, regardless of the parties they represent, value the same core virtues in the judges deciding their cases. They value judges who treat litigants with respect; judges who give prompt and well-reasoned decisions, explaining why one argument prevailed over the other; and judges who are impartial and apply the law faithfully to the facts before them. Lawyers are keenly aware of how important these virtues are to maintaining the legitimacy of the judicial process.

Brennan possesses all of these traits and characteristics, and we urge Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Ron Johnson to move this nomination swiftly to full Senate confirmation. Correctly assessed as “well-qualified” unanimously by the American Bar Association, Brennan enjoys the support of many attorneys, judges, legislators and other Wisconsin citizens of diverse backgrounds and political beliefs. His resume is first-rate: he served as a law clerk on the 7th Circuit, as a state prosecutor, as circuit court judge in Milwaukee County and is now a partner in one of the pre-eminent Milwaukee law firms.

He is a prolific and persuasive writer. He has generously donated his time to mentor attorneys preparing to argue before the Supreme Court in Wisconsin. He has tried numerous cases, he has argued frequently before appellate courts (including the court he has been selected to join), and he is rightfully considered among the best appellate advocates in the state.

We are writing this letter together because we have both known and respected Brennan for decades. We are proud to join together in support of Brennan and urge his quick confirmation.

Brad Schimel

State Attorney General Kelli Thompson State Public Defender Madison