JUDGE WALL RESIGNS TO JOIN FEDS

Move Opens Spot for Gubernatorial Appointment

Exclusive to the readers of Milwaukeeworld

By Michael Horne

Judge Joseph R. Wall, [Marquette, '84] has announced his resignation in an e-mail to colleagues this morning. He will leave his seat on Branch 40 of Milwaukee County Circuit Court effective September 27th or September 28th, 2007, according to Bruce Harvey, District Court Administrator.
Wall will leave his offices in Room 310 of the Safety Building to join the folks at the United States Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Once established in his new digs, Judge Wall "will be assigned to cases within his specialty," according to a spokesperson there. Wall's specialty will probably be in criminal cases. In addition to being an attorney, Wall is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Wall's resignation provides an opportunity for Governor Jim Doyle to appoint a successor. Wall was re-elected to his seat in April of this year. Another election would be held next spring, Chief Judge Kitty Brennan said yesterday. Why resign to take a job that could be viewed as a demotion? Federal pay guidelines are not simple matters, like the pay of Wisconsin Circuit Court Judges ($119,605).
Federal pay is based on a number of factors, including experience, post graduate studies, and even location. Still, assuming Wall enters as a GS 15 with 4 years experience, which is apparently the top entry-level category, the most he could expect to make would be $118,957, and it would take a number of years to get to that point. Chances are he will earn about $93,000 in his first year. However, Brennan said the Department of Justice made Wall an "excellent offer." [Update September 20th, 2007 -- Judge Wall called me this morning to say the top pay for his position is $142,000, with other incentives. He plans to concentrate on complex white collar cases and anti-terrorism cases. -Ed.]