MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Chad Verbeten to the Buffalo and Pepin County Circuit Court. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge Thomas W. Clark’s retirement. Verbeten will complete a term ending July 31, 2028.

“Chad Verbeten brings over two decades of experience as a prosecutor, a strong work ethic, and a deep respect for the law to the bench,” said Gov. Evers. “He will serve the people of Buffalo and Pepin counties well as their next circuit court judge.”

Since 2017, Verbeten has served as an assistant attorney general in the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Criminal Litigation Unit. Based in Western Wisconsin, Verbeten prosecutes controlled substance and homicide cases in a 23-county region, including both Buffalo and Pepin counties. Earlier in his career, Verbeten was an assistant district attorney in the Chippewa and Eau Claire County District Attorney’s Offices, where he gained experience prosecuting all manner of cases and helped to implement evidence-based decision-making processes in both counties.

“Chad Verbeten’s legal career over the last 20-plus years has been based on building strong relationships,” said Buffalo County Assistant District Attorney Adam Sticht. “Whether he is responding to a colleague with a tough question, a member of law enforcement with a concern, or a community member seeking advice, Chad is always ready to help and, in doing so, treats everyone with equal respect and fairness. He goes above and beyond because he genuinely cares about the people he both works with and serves. We look forward to having Chad bring those same qualities of approachability and impartiality to the bench in both Buffalo and Pepin County.”

Verbeten is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Hamline University School of Law. Since 2015, he has served as an elected member of the Stanley – Boyd School Board. Verbeten is relocating to Pepin County for the position.

“I consider it a privilege and honor to accept Gov. Evers’ appointment to the Buffalo/Pepin County Circuit Court,” said Verbeten. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Buffalo County and Pepin County as circuit court judge. In this new role, I will work tirelessly to carry out the position’s responsibilities and, in the process, treat all with dignity, equality, and respect.”

A photo of Verbeten is attached.

An online version of this release is available here.