Patrick Willis (judge)
Encyclopedia
Patrick Lee Willis was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
on Feb. 1, 1950, and currently serves as a Circuit Court
Judge in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
. Judge Willis gained US national recognition when he presided over the highly publicized Steven Avery
homicide trial; his rulings regarding the admissibility of certain key pieces of evidence were frequent sources of news stories. He and his wife, Jean L. Willis, reside in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and have three children; Amanda Willis, Ben Willis, and Carly (Willis) Powers.
with his parents Hubert and Liz Willis, his brother Michael, and his sister Colleen. He graduated in 1972 with an honors degree in history from Marquette University
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Judge Willis then attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, graduating with a law degree in 1975. During law school, he served as an editor of the Law Review
and his Comment “Informal Administration of Decedents’ Estates in Wisconsin” was published in the Law Review in 1974.
car ferry back to Manitowoc, and was instrumental in the revival of the Burger Boat Company
thus saving hundreds of local jobs. He also served as a legal advisor to the mayor
and the common council. He is recognized throughout the Midwest as an authority on trial procedures, and has been a noted speaker at judicial conferences.
Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
appointed Willis as Manitowoc County Circuit judge in 1997 to fill a vacancy left by Judge Allan Deehr. Upon completion of his interim term, Judge Willis successfully ran for the same position in 1998, receiving more than 80% of the vote. Upon Willis’s retirement as City Attorney to become a circuit judge, he was given a key to the City of Manitowoc in appreciation for his twenty years of service.
homicide trial. The Avery trial was also covered by national news services, including MSNBC and Nancy Grace on CNN. Court TV planned to televise the proceedings, until it was determined that the trial would last five full weeks which would exceed the amount of time Court TV could devote to it. Judge Willis' handling of the Avery trial was discussed at law schools outside the state of Wisconsin as a study in trial procedure.
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc is a city in and the county seat of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The city is located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. According to the 2000 census, Manitowoc had a population of 34,053, with over 50,000 residents in the surrounding communities...
on Feb. 1, 1950, and currently serves as a Circuit Court
Wisconsin Circuit Court
Circuit Courts are the primary trial courts in Wisconsin, United States. They hear and decide cases involving a wide variety of topics, including contracts, personal injury, family law, children in need of protection and/or services, juvenile delinquency, probate, traffic, small claims,...
Judge in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin
Manitowoc County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 82,887. Its county seat is Manitowoc. The United States Census Bureau's Manitowoc Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Manitowoc County.-Government:...
. Judge Willis gained US national recognition when he presided over the highly publicized Steven Avery
Steven Avery
Steven Avery is an American who was convicted of murder. He served 18 years on a rape conviction in which DNA analysis later linked the crime to another man...
homicide trial; his rulings regarding the admissibility of certain key pieces of evidence were frequent sources of news stories. He and his wife, Jean L. Willis, reside in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and have three children; Amanda Willis, Ben Willis, and Carly (Willis) Powers.
Early life
Judge Patrick L. Willis grew up in Manitowoc, WisconsinManitowoc, Wisconsin
Manitowoc is a city in and the county seat of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The city is located on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Manitowoc River. According to the 2000 census, Manitowoc had a population of 34,053, with over 50,000 residents in the surrounding communities...
with his parents Hubert and Liz Willis, his brother Michael, and his sister Colleen. He graduated in 1972 with an honors degree in history from Marquette University
Marquette University
Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1881, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Judge Willis then attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, graduating with a law degree in 1975. During law school, he served as an editor of the Law Review
Law review
A law review is a scholarly journal focusing on legal issues, normally published by an organization of students at a law school or through a bar association...
and his Comment “Informal Administration of Decedents’ Estates in Wisconsin” was published in the Law Review in 1974.
Legal career
Willis was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin In June, 1975. His first job as an attorney was for the law firm of Muchin & Muchin in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In May, 1977 he was hired as the City Attorney for the City of Manitowoc. During his tenure as City Attorney, Willis helped bring the S.S. BadgerS.S. Badger
The SS Badger is a coal-fired passenger and vehicle ferry in the United States that has been in Lake Michigan service from 1953 until the present. Currently, she shuttles between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She is the last coal-fired passenger vessel operating on the Great...
car ferry back to Manitowoc, and was instrumental in the revival of the Burger Boat Company
Burger Boat Company
The Burger Boat Company, of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is the builder of custom-designed, hand-built pleasure yachts.Burger Boat was founded in 1863. It produced its first welded steel yacht in 1938 and began using welded aluminum in 1952...
thus saving hundreds of local jobs. He also served as a legal advisor to the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
and the common council. He is recognized throughout the Midwest as an authority on trial procedures, and has been a noted speaker at judicial conferences.
Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Thomas George "Tommy" Thompson , a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls...
appointed Willis as Manitowoc County Circuit judge in 1997 to fill a vacancy left by Judge Allan Deehr. Upon completion of his interim term, Judge Willis successfully ran for the same position in 1998, receiving more than 80% of the vote. Upon Willis’s retirement as City Attorney to become a circuit judge, he was given a key to the City of Manitowoc in appreciation for his twenty years of service.
National recognition
Judge Willis presided over the highly publicized Steven AverySteven Avery
Steven Avery is an American who was convicted of murder. He served 18 years on a rape conviction in which DNA analysis later linked the crime to another man...
homicide trial. The Avery trial was also covered by national news services, including MSNBC and Nancy Grace on CNN. Court TV planned to televise the proceedings, until it was determined that the trial would last five full weeks which would exceed the amount of time Court TV could devote to it. Judge Willis' handling of the Avery trial was discussed at law schools outside the state of Wisconsin as a study in trial procedure.