Judge Barbara Kluka brought her passion for teaching to the bench
Feb. 9, 2011 – Retired Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge Barbara A. Kluka has always had a passion for teaching. She brought that passion to the bench – always taking the time to guide new attorneys in her courtroom. Kluka holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve on the Kenosha County Circuit Court. She was first elected to the bench in 1989, after working in private practice, serving as a Kenosha County district attorney, and following a seven-year career as a high school teacher. Kluka retired in August of 2011.
The Bench and Bar Committee will recognize Kluka with the 2012 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration on Thursday, June 14, at 6:15 p.m., at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells. The award acknowledges the contributions of a jurist who has served more than one full term as a circuit court judge and has demonstrated outstanding, long-term judicial excellence and leadership toward improving the quality of justice.
Teacher, lawyer, judge
A woman of three careers, Kluka was a teacher, a lawyer, and a judge. Letters of nomination for Kluka followed a similar theme of fair, impartial, courteous, patient, level headed, and practical with a solid knowledge of the law and its applications. “On the bench, Kluka’s knowledge, conduct, and professionalism have been second to none,” said Chief Judge Second Judicial District of Wisconsin Mary K. Wagner. “She has always treated everyone in her courtroom with the utmost respect and dignity and continues to be an outstanding asset to the judicial profession.”
A role model for judges and lawyers
Thirty-year State Public Defender veteran Charles C. Bennett admired Kluka’s patience and willingness to guide new attorneys. “Judge Kluka has always been very knowledgeable and compassionate,” he said. “Her decisions were always well-reasoned and thought out.”
Beyond the bench
Kluka served on many committees during her years on the bench. She is a former chief judge for the Second Judicial District, and served as a member of the Judicial Education Committee, Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee, Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC) Planning Subcommittee, and as an associate dean of the Judicial College.
Kluka was an instructor for Criminal Trial Practice: Shanghai and Xian, China, in 1997. She was a sponsor and mentor for college students interested in law-related careers for U.W. Parkside and Carthage College, and she also taught at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev.
In his nomination letter, attorney David E. Celebre said, “Judge Kluka brought a wealth of experience, from her years of private practice to her teaching the Chinese judiciary. No matter who appeared before her, she always administered a legal intellectualism in a common person’s way.”
Community service
Kluka gave back to her community by serving on committees, boards, and councils. She served on the Gateway College Court and Conference Advisory Committee, the St. Joseph’s High School Board of Trustees, Southeast Wisconsin Boy Scout Advisory Council, and as a lector and Eucharistic minister at St. Anthony’s Church.
Award celebration
The award will be presented on Thursday, June 14, at 6:15 p.m. at the Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells in conjunction with the State Bar annual meeting and two State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE™ Institutes. This free event is open to State Bar members and their friends and families who would like to recognize the contributions of the award recipients. Registration is not required.
The Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Appellate Practice Institute will be held on June 11 and 12, and the Real Estate and Business Law Institute will be held on June 14 and 15. Information about the institutes will be available soon.
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