MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Gordon Leech to the Washington County Circuit Court – Branch 2. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge James K. Muehlbauer’s resignation, effective Aug. 8, 2025. Leech will complete a term ending July 31, 2026.
“Gordon Leech is a respected attorney who brings a breadth of experience to the bench,” said Gov. Evers. “His work ethic, competence, and commitment to service will serve the people of Washington County well.”
Leech has been an assistant district attorney in the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office since 2022. As assistant district attorney, he handles a caseload of more than 600 cases, ranging from serious felonies and misdemeanors to traffic and forfeiture offenses. Earlier in his career, he practiced employment, insurance, and consumer protection law in Florida. He moved to Wisconsin in 2005, continuing a similar practice. In 2010, he started his own firm, at which time he also began representing criminal defendants, including public defender appointments.
“Gov. Evers made an excellent choice appointing Gordon Leech,” said retiring Washington County Circuit Court Judge Muehlbauer. “He’s a great attorney with over 30 years of experience and served in the U.S. Marines. As a prosecutor, he is known to be honest, hard-working, and willing to take tough cases to trial. I am confident that Gordon will serve Washington County well.”
Leech lives in Germantown and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1988 and served in active duty as a judge advocate from 1991 to 1995. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1999.
“I look forward to serving the people of Washington County, my home community, as their circuit court judge,” said Leech. “I will bring to the bench my life and professional experiences with over 30 years practicing law handling criminal and civil matters. I promise to maintain the integrity of the office, apply the law as given by the Legislature and appellate courts, work for a safe community, and treat all parties fairly and with dignity.”
A photo of Leech is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
