D. A. Gerol is Evers’ pick for Ozaukee Circuit judge

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol will succeed retiring Paul Malloy as Branch 1 Circuit Court Judge.

The appointment is until July 31, 2025, according to Evers’ office.

“Adam Gerol has been a dedicated public servant for decades,” Evers said. “His experience and commitment to his community will serve the people of Ozaukee County well.”

Gerol has served as the Ozaukee County District Attorney since 2009. He was first appointed to the position by former Gov. Jim Doyle and has been re-elected three times.

Earlier in his career, he served as an assistant district attorney in both Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties, was in the criminal litigation division of the Wisconsin Department of Justice and practiced business and healthcare litigation in Southeast Wisconsin.

Gerol’s appointment reunites him with his old boss, Branch 3 Circuit Court Judge Sandy Williams, who as district attorney hired Gerol in 1993 as an assistant district attorney.

“I have known Adam for more than 30 years and applaud Gov. Evers’ selection,” Williams said in a statement. “Having witnessed his career, I know that he will bring the highest level of integrity, compassion and fairness with him to the Ozaukee County Circuit Court.”

“I was so grateful when then-DA Williams offered me a job back in 1992,” Gerol said. “But I never dreamed it would be the gateway to such a fulfilling career, amidst so many great people in this beautiful county.

“There was a time when it was common for ‘seasoned’ lawyers to finish their careers on the bench. It was viewed as an opportunity to take all that they might have learned and experienced and use it in service of their community. I had hoped to have that opportunity one day.”

  Williams was recently appointed presiding judge of the Ozaukee County Circuit Court by Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Paul Bugenhagen Jr., who is the chief judge of Judicial District 3, of which the Ozaukee court is part.

Gerol, 61, resides in Mequon and is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Drake University Law School. A native of Racine, Gerol is currently a member of the Wisconsin Crime Victims Rights Board, has been a member of multiple joint legislative council study committees, and previously served as president of the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association.

“I am immensely grateful to Gov. Evers for this appointment and for this opportunity to serve the people of Ozaukee County,” Gerol was quoted as saying in Evers’ press release. “I also must express my profound gratitude to all the judges, attorneys, friends and family from whom I have learned so much and who have supported me throughout my career. I am committed to working collaboratively with all of our justice system partners to ensure a fair and efficient court that adheres to the highest principles of justice.”

Gerol was the only applicant to replace Malloy, whose retirement becomes official on June 31 after 22 years on the bench.

Gerol will be sworn in July 1 and then undergo training and mentoring from other judges for about two months.

Cases currently being prosecuted by Gerol’s office will likely be assigned to Williams or Branch 2 Circuit Court Judge Steven Cain, Gerol said.

That means a “corresponding weight” of  civil and other noncriminal cases will likely be thrown Gerol’s way, he said.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been a prosecutor for an awfully long time, but I was once in private practice too,” he said.

Evers also announced Tuesday that he is seeking applicants to replace Gerol as district attorney. The newly appointed district attorney will serve for the remainder of Gerol’s unexpired term that ends January 2025.

Ozaukee County prosecutor Ben Lindsay announced in March that he will run in November to succeed Gerol. Lindsay, 39, has been an assistant district attorney in the county since 2018. He also serves as the juvenile justice prosecutor.

Lindsay began his career as a prosecutor in Milwaukee County in 2012. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

He lives in Cedarburg.

Applications are available on the “Apply to Serve” page at www.evers.wi.gov. The completed application and supporting documents must be emailed to GovDAapp@wisconsin.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 14.