There will be four candidates to choose from on the primary ballot for Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Gayle Jebbia, a Dodgeville attorney; Kate Findley the current District Attorney of Lafayette County; Guy Taylor, current public defender for Green and Lafayette counties and Duane Jorgenson, a Darlington attorney.
The two candidates to win the most votes in the upcoming primary will proceed to the April 7 spring election for the final face-off for the position of Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge.
In order to help readers learn a little more about each candidate before the primary, the Republican Journal sent the candidates a questionnaire. The responses received from the candidates follow.
Gayle Jebbia
Personal background: A 1992 Graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, I moved to Wisconsin in 1999 and opened a private practice law office in Dodgeville. Since that time I have been serving clients in Lafayette, Iowa and Grant Counties. I was appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to serve on the Office of Lawyer Regulation District 12 Investigative Committee. While serving on this committee for three terms (9 years), I investigated ethics complaints in Southwest Wisconsin and made recommendations directly to the board. I was also appointed by the Supreme Court to the Appointment Selection Committee where I examined lawyer and citizen résumés and recommended various committee appointments directly to the Court. I served on a planning committee to create multi-day training seminars for lawyers, judges and social services workers and served as the Iowa County Bar President for 5 years. I am 53 years old, live in Darlington, have three children, Jezzamin (Phillips), Aidan and Olivia and one grandchild, Anthony.
What qualifies you to serve as Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge?
I have over two decades of legal practice handling cases in many areas of law including contracts, personal injury, all areas of family and juvenile law, real estate, corporation counsel matters and criminal and civil litigation in both jury and bench trials. In addition, as an independent business owner I understand the need to have efficient systems in place to handle case management.
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
Rather than specializing in one area of law, I have knowledge and experience in multiple areas of law, such that if elected I am ready to immediately proceed with hearing cases in all areas and phases. It takes years to really learn and understand certain areas of law; for example, in complex family cases where an entire family will be forever impacted by the judge’s decision, a judge must have working experience with intricate financial issues as well as child custody and placement matters. In the last 23 years I have honed my skills in family law as well as real estate, business law, contracts, criminal law and personal injury. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases to be decided, I will have knowledge and experience from actually representing clients. It is one thing to read the statutes and case law, but it takes practical experience and application over time to really understand and master the law so that individuals are truly receiving the best service possible. In addition, as a sole practitioner, I bring knowledge and skills on how to efficiently run an office so that cases would not languish as individuals deserve to have their cases decided as soon as feasibly possible.
If elected what would be your plan of action going forward?
I will begin hearing cases as soon as possible. With my experience and knowledge of the law I will be able to make definitive decisions from the bench and move cases along. To ensure that parties, defendants and victims receive the best and most timely service possible I would limit extensions on cases and require attorneys and clients be prepared and appear at hearings. I will also review ongoing cases on a regular basis to ensure that attorneys are moving cases through the system timely.
Final thoughts and other issues you believe are important in this election:
The most important aspect of this election is for voters to decide who they feel is best equipped to handle cases in all areas of law. In addition, a judge must control the courtroom with a level authority and possess a certain temperament when hearing case after case on a daily basis. In 2013, according to state statistics, less than 10% of cases filed in Lafayette County were criminal matters. Therefore, most individuals who appear in court will have divorces, family matters, contracts, land disputes, small business issues and the like. Life and legal experience in these matters is of utmost importance when you are considering who will make decisions that may affect you.
Kate Findley
Personal background: I was born in Fort Atkinson, the daughter of a Lutheran minister. I have an associate degree in paralegal studies, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and a law degree. As an attorney, I have held positions as an adjunct instructor at Lakeshore Technical College, Assistant State Public Defender, Assistant Clinical Professor at UW-Madison Law School, self-employed handling cases around the state, Attorney Supervisor at the State Public Defender’s Office, and am currently the elected District Attorney of Lafayette County. My husband and I live in Darlington in the home that was previously owned by Bob & Dot Ward and by Buck Howery’s grandparents that we are slowly restoring.
What qualifies you to serve as Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge?
I have not just practiced law, but I have also taught it to law students and paralegal students. During my ten years as a clinical law professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, I, and the students I supervised, assisted many clients with problems in various areas of law, including bankruptcy, probate and estates, civil lawsuits, family law and child custody issues, and appellate issues. While I was at the law school, I also had my own practice in which I had the opportunity to represent clients all over the state from the Mississippi River to Milwaukee and from Rock County to our northern border. This was an invaluable time for me because it allowed me to appear in front of many good judges and a few not so good ones. That unique and diverse experience taught me the virtues of running an efficient and fair courtroom. I also believe that my experience as the Lafayette County District Attorney has given me invaluable insight.
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
As district attorney, I have had the opportunity in some trying times to demonstrate my abilities as a lawyer and my commitment to protecting the people of this community. I am unique amongst the candidates in having had extensive legal experience as both a defense attorney and as a prosecutor, and I have had the opportunity to learn from a large number of judges. I am proud to be endorsed by the well-respected former Sheriff of Lafayette County Scott Pedley and former Lafayette County Detective Sergeant Joe Thompson because they reflect the judgments of those who have seen me in action. Those endorsements mean a lot to me as I know they were not given lightly. I have successfully handled very difficult cases, and I have never lost a jury trial as district attorney. Lastly, I love living in Lafayette County and working to protect all of the citizens of our county.
If elected what would be your plan of action going forward?
I will apply the law firmly, fairly and equally to everyone who appears before the court, applying the law as written without bias.
Final thoughts and other issues you believe are important in this election:
I believe the best judges that I have appeared before have demonstrated their knowledge of the law, applied the law fairly and equally, and have maintained a position of consideration to everyone in their courtroom. A good judge allows the attorneys in the courtroom to do their job, and proceeds accordingly from there. If elected as Lafayette County’s Circuit Court Judge, I hope that I would be “judged by the people of the county” and by the attorneys appearing before me as the People’s Judge who is firm, fair and nondiscriminatory.
Guy Taylor
Personal background: I grew up in a small village in the Madison area. I am 57 years old. My wife Svetlana and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have been blessed with twin boys, age 14. We are members of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. I graduated from Beloit College in 1981 and I earned my law degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1987. Since 1987, I have been an attorney for the State of Wisconsin Public Defender, widely recognized as the finest indigent defense agency in the world.
What qualifies you to serve as the Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge?
Experience and expertise. I have handled over 10,000 cases in my career. I first appeared in
Lafayette County court in 1988. I was the first defense attorney in the State of Wisconsin to use DNA evidence at trial.
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
With the sheer volume of cases I have been required to manage over my 27 year career as a public defender, I have, by necessity, honed my skills for organization and communication. That translates well to the bench where I will run an organized and courteous court. The people deserve no less.
If elected what would be your plan of action going forward?
In the right hands, run by an energetic and organized person, there would be sufficient time to explore the possibility of a drug treatment court in Lafayette County to address the pernicious problem of substance abuse in our youth. Treatment courts are increasingly being employed throughout the country and can be effective tools for turning young offenders back to the right path. Funding sources outside of the county may be available to cover the treatment costs and the court time would cost the taxpayers nothing. This option would only work if there were a dynamic judge spearheading the effort. I would welcome the challenge.
Final thoughts and other issues you believe are important in this election:
I know that mine is not a household name. Yet I have dutifully served and distinguished myself as an attorney and public defender for more than 27 years and for the past decade I have served as public defender for Green and Lafayette Counties. Lafayette County is no stranger to me. I love it here and would love nothing more than to live in and serve Lafayette County as judge.
Duane Jorgenson
Personal background: I am a life time resident of Lafayette County, raised on the family farm in Wiota. I graduated from Darlington High School and Valparaiso University, and graduated from NIU College of Law. I farmed with my dad for 12 years before law school. I have practiced in Darlington for 24 years, Lafayette County Corporation Counsel for 21 years. I am married to Liz Jorgenson. We have been blessed with four children, Dewey (Duane, Jr.), Becky, Matt and Amy, and are grandparents of seven. I am president of the Darlington School Board, having been on the board for five years. I have been very active in the community.
What qualifies you to serve as the Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge?
My 24 years of practicing law and serving the people of Lafayette County qualifies me to be their Judge. I am a veteran attorney and the only home grown candidate. Often the Judge has discretion in fashioning decisions, that discretion should reflect the values of the community, not an agenda of the person making them. I am in the best position to do this. I have been an administrative law judge, argued countless cases in Lafayette County Court, and argued and won cases before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Wisconsin Supreme Court. I was one of just 3 attorneys appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Advisory Board for the Wisconsin Children’s Court Improvement Project. I was one of just 19 attorneys from across the United States to be selected by People to People to be a senior member of a delegation of attorneys to travel to China to consult with on reforms in there. I was chosen by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy as their “Best Litigator” from 56 other attorneys given consideration from across the United States.
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
Many of the same things stated above, my experience, legal expertise, and knowledge of Lafayette County and the people who live here make me the best candidate to be elected Circuit Court Judge. A judge must know his community, have deep compassion for the community and the people who live in it and care about the people and the community around him. I have lived in Lafayette County my entire life. Besides practicing law IN LAFAYETTE COUNTY for 24 years, I was married here, raised my family here and committed to helping Lafayette County be a good and safe place to live and raise a family. My legal background is well suited for being Judge in Lafayette County. I have practiced in all phases of the law. I have handled criminal, civil and appellate cases. I am the only candidate that has such a broad experience, and I have been handling this broad array of cases since 1991.
If elected what would be your plan of action going forward?
My plan of action is simply to be the best judge I can be. Lawyers often delay cases. It is up to the judge to move cases along, and to be prudent and efficient with the time of people involved in the court process. I will be fair and impartial, maintain an open mind, and thoughtfully listen to both sides, and make a well-reasoned decision based on the law and the facts. I will adhere to U.S. and State Constitutions, statutes and case law as it exists.
Final thoughts and any other issues you believe are important in the election:
Lafayette County has recently experienced some horrific crimes. Studies have shown that children who are subjected to significant and prolonged maltreated are 50-60% more likely to develop alcoholism or use illegal drugs, and are twice as likely to engage in violent crime either as a juvenile delinquent or as an adult. Combating this has been a focal point of my legal career. I will continue to have that focus as judge. Few realize that Lafayette County’s handling of child protection and problem children court matters has set the standard for Wisconsin. A recent audit of child cases of counties in Wisconsin singled Lafayette County out as ranking the highest, by a wide margin in successful conclusions of children court cases. As corporation counsel it has been my responsibility to make sure these matters are handled quickly and children are protected. Lafayette County for the past 20 years has set the standard for the state of Wisconsin in child protection. I am proud that I have led that effort.
