Ann Walsh Bradley
Encyclopedia
Ann Walsh Bradley is a justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court
. She was elected to the Supreme Court in 1995.
Justice Bradley was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin
. She earned her bachelor's degree from Webster University
in St. Louis
. She worked as a high school teacher at Aquinas High School
in La Crosse, Wisconsin
before entering the University of Wisconsin Law School
, where she earned a law degree
in 1976. Justice Bradley worked in private law practice until becoming a circuit court judge in Marathon County in 1985.
Justice Bradley is an elected member of the American Law Institute
, a former associate dean and faculty member of the Wisconsin Judicial College, a former chair of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, and a lecturer for the American Bar Association
's Asia Law Initiative.
, which alleged became violent. Prosser, Bradley, and all other justices besides Patrick Crooks were informally discussing the next day decision that would overturn Judge Sumi's ruling on the collective bargaining
law in Bradley's office. There are different accounts as to what occurred. According to Bradley the discussion became heated after Bradley asked Prosser to leave her office and said she was bothered by his disparaging comments towards Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
. Prosser allegedly then put his hands around Bradley's throat in what was described as a choke hold, but did not apply pressure. Prosser himself said that these reports will be proved false.
According to other anonymous sources, Bradley attacked Prosser. "She charged him with fists raised," the source said. Prosser "put his hands in a defensive posture," the source said. "He blocked her." In doing so, the source said, he made contact with Bradley's neck. Shortly after the incident, Bradley told the other Justices in the room she had just been choked by Prosser, to which an unknown Justice stated "You were not choked". Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs was notified of the incident shortly after and he met with the entire Supreme Court. During the meeting, Chief Justice Abrahamson actually reenacted the incident on Chief Tubbs. Abrahamson emphasized that Prosser had exerted “pressure” on Bradley’s throat. “There was no pressure,” interrupted the justice who had initially broken up the incident between Bradley and Prosser. “That’s only because you broke us apart,” shot back Bradley. This exchange led several meeting attendees to believe Bradley was making up the charge, as they took her rejoinder as an admission that there was no pressure applied to her neck. The incident was reportedly being investigated by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which investigates misconduct among judges in the state. However, James Alexander, executive director of the commission, said that "we can neither confirm nor deny" that the incident was under investigation. The incident broke the media on June 25, nearly two weeks after the incident, when Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism broke the news of an ongoing investigation of their own into the incident and revealed they had been talking to "reliable" anonymous sources. Justice Prosser denied he choked Bradley saying "Once there's a proper review of the matter and the facts surrounding it are made clear, the anonymous claims made to the media will be proven false." However, Justice Bradley said Prosser had choked her, stating: "The facts are that I was demanding that he get out of my office and he put his hands around my neck in anger in a chokehold." An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media outlets reported that Neither Supreme Court Justice David Prosser nor fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley will face criminal charges from the incident.
Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
. She was elected to the Supreme Court in 1995.
Justice Bradley was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin
Richland Center, Wisconsin
Richland Center is a city in Richland County, Wisconsin, United States, which also serves as the county seat. The population was 5,184 at the 2010 census.-History:Richland Center was founded in 1851 by Ira Sherwin Hazeltine, a native of Andover, Vermont...
. She earned her bachelor's degree from Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. She worked as a high school teacher at Aquinas High School
Aquinas High School (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Aquinas High School is a Roman Catholic high school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin.-History:The high school was dedicated on September 2, 1928 in honor of Thomas Aquinas by Bishop Alexander Joseph McGavick of the Diocese of La Crosse. The first graduating class of 1929 consisted of four girls...
in La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
before entering the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
, where she earned a law degree
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1976. Justice Bradley worked in private law practice until becoming a circuit court judge in Marathon County in 1985.
Justice Bradley is an elected member of the American Law Institute
American Law Institute
The American Law Institute was established in 1923 to promote the clarification and simplification of American common law and its adaptation to changing social needs. The ALI drafts, approves, and publishes Restatements of the Law, Principles of the Law, model codes, and other proposals for law...
, a former associate dean and faculty member of the Wisconsin Judicial College, a former chair of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, and a lecturer for the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
's Asia Law Initiative.
Wisconsin Supreme Court tenure
Bradley was first elected to the Court in 1995, and re-elected in 2005 (for a term expiring July 31, 2015).2011 Conflict with Justice Prosser
On June 13, 2011, Bradley had a confrontation with Justice David Prosser, Jr.David Prosser, Jr.
David T. Prosser Jr. is a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. A former Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, Prosser was appointed to the court by Governor Tommy Thompson in 1998, and was elected to his first 10-year term without opposition in 2001...
, which alleged became violent. Prosser, Bradley, and all other justices besides Patrick Crooks were informally discussing the next day decision that would overturn Judge Sumi's ruling on the collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
law in Bradley's office. There are different accounts as to what occurred. According to Bradley the discussion became heated after Bradley asked Prosser to leave her office and said she was bothered by his disparaging comments towards Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
Shirley Abrahamson
Shirley S. Abrahamson is the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She was appointed to the court in 1976 by Governor of Wisconsin Patrick Lucey. Upon her appointment she was the first woman to serve on Wisconsin's high court. She served as the only woman on the court from 1976 until 1993...
. Prosser allegedly then put his hands around Bradley's throat in what was described as a choke hold, but did not apply pressure. Prosser himself said that these reports will be proved false.
According to other anonymous sources, Bradley attacked Prosser. "She charged him with fists raised," the source said. Prosser "put his hands in a defensive posture," the source said. "He blocked her." In doing so, the source said, he made contact with Bradley's neck. Shortly after the incident, Bradley told the other Justices in the room she had just been choked by Prosser, to which an unknown Justice stated "You were not choked". Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs was notified of the incident shortly after and he met with the entire Supreme Court. During the meeting, Chief Justice Abrahamson actually reenacted the incident on Chief Tubbs. Abrahamson emphasized that Prosser had exerted “pressure” on Bradley’s throat. “There was no pressure,” interrupted the justice who had initially broken up the incident between Bradley and Prosser. “That’s only because you broke us apart,” shot back Bradley. This exchange led several meeting attendees to believe Bradley was making up the charge, as they took her rejoinder as an admission that there was no pressure applied to her neck. The incident was reportedly being investigated by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, which investigates misconduct among judges in the state. However, James Alexander, executive director of the commission, said that "we can neither confirm nor deny" that the incident was under investigation. The incident broke the media on June 25, nearly two weeks after the incident, when Wisconsin Public Radio and the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism broke the news of an ongoing investigation of their own into the incident and revealed they had been talking to "reliable" anonymous sources. Justice Prosser denied he choked Bradley saying "Once there's a proper review of the matter and the facts surrounding it are made clear, the anonymous claims made to the media will be proven false." However, Justice Bradley said Prosser had choked her, stating: "The facts are that I was demanding that he get out of my office and he put his hands around my neck in anger in a chokehold." An investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Resolution of 2011 Conflict with Justice Prosser
The Dane County Sheriff's report indicated that there was no choking, that Justice Bradley "did not recall Justice Prosser squeezing or applying pressure around her neck", and that Justice Bradley rapidly approached Justice Prosser, going "face to face to confront him", in her own words.The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media outlets reported that Neither Supreme Court Justice David Prosser nor fellow Justice Ann Walsh Bradley will face criminal charges from the incident.
Further reading
- Aquinas News, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin, September 1972, 'Six new teachers join staff', Carol First, class of 1974, pg. 12. Article about Ann Walsh joining the Aquinas High School faculty.
- Aquinas News, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin, May 1973, pg. 8, 'Resignations announced for four AHS teachers'. Ann Walsh returning to graduate school to study law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the fall.
- Aquin 1973, Aquinas High School, La Crosse, Wisconsin, two photos of Ann Walsh, pg. 63.
External links
- Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, Wisconsin State Supreme Court
- Case No.:2006AP2744-CR, 2006AP2745-CR, 2006AP2746-CR
- http://www.wisconsinwatch.org/2011/06/25/prosser-allegedly-grabbed-fellow-justice-by-the-neck/
- The 118-page police dossier on the July 13 incident released in August 2011, a word-searchable 70-page version that only includes the interview reports, and 12 pages of the most relevant excerpt.