MILWAUKEE — Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis B. Butler Jr. today announced his endorsement of Judge Nathan Petrashek to continue serving on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I.

“Judge Nathan Petrashek is a good man who has the skill, experience, and sound judgment needed on the Court of Appeals,” said Butler. “He understands the law, respects the responsibilities of the judiciary, and his values align with the people of Wisconsin. I am pleased to endorse him.”

Butler served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 2004 to 2008 and was the first African American justice in the court’s history. Before joining the Supreme Court, he served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge and a Milwaukee Municipal Court judge. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade as an assistant state public defender. Butler is a graduate of Lawrence University and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

“I am honored to receive Justice Butler’s endorsement,” said Judge Petrashek. “His thoughtful decisions made him one of Wisconsin’s most respected jurists, and his longstanding commitment to an impartial judiciary and the rule of law are especially noteworthy.  Justice Butler’s confidence in me to continue serving on the Court of Appeals means a great deal.”

Judge Nathan Petrashek serves on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I, representing Milwaukee County. He was appointed by Governor Tony Evers after more than sixteen years serving the Court of Appeals as a law clerk and staff attorney. During that time, he worked on hundreds of appeals involving constitutional law, criminal procedure, family law, civil litigation, personal injury, and many other areas of Wisconsin law, helping judges resolve some of the state’s most consequential legal questions.

Throughout his career, Judge Petrashek has been committed to ensuring equal justice under the law, safeguarding the independence of Wisconsin’s courts, and preserving public confidence in the judicial system. He believes every person deserves to have their case heard fairly, decided impartially, and resolved according to the law.