Marla J. Stephens
Marla J. Stephens is the director of Wisconsin's public defender’s office appellate division. She ran for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2011.
2011 election
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2011
Stephens ran in the election for Wisconsin Supreme Court, seeking the seat held by David T. Prosser. Stephens was defeated in the primary election, winning only 10.8% of the vote.[1][2][3]
She said she ran for the court to "restore people's respect for and trust in the court. The increase in partisan politics on the court and the divisiveness that comes from the extent of outside money that is spent to put a justice on the court are undermining people's confidence in the court's integrity and impartiality. We need a justice who is going to put partisan politics aside and who is willing to serve as a check and a balance against overreaching by the legislative and the executive branches".[4]
Campaign statement
Public financing
Stephens was the sole primary candidate who did not seek public financing for the election campaign.[5] At the January 2011 campaign finance report filing Stephens' report showed that she had raised less than $38,000.[6]
- See also: The Cap Times, "Crime and Courts: Tuesday's primary will be a test for high court campaign finance law," February 14, 2011
Education
Stephens graduated in 1981 from the Marquette University Law School.[7] She received her undergrad from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.[8]
Professional career
- Wisconsin State Public Defender, staff attorney, Milwaukee Adult Criminal Trial Division
- Milwaukee Appellate Division, First Assistant
- Milwaukee Appellate Division, staff attorney
- Guest lecturer on appellate practice and procedure at the University of Wisconsin law school[8]
Awards and associations
- Chair of the Wisconsin Judicial Council, 2000-present
- Board Member, State Bar Board of Governors, 2006-2010
- Board Member, Association for Women Lawyers Foundation
- Member, Joint Legislative Council Study Committee on Criminal Justice System Funding and Strategies, 2010
- Member, Strategic Planning Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin
- Member, Wisconsin State Bar
- Member, State and National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member, Milwaukee Bar Association
- Member, Association for Women Lawyers[7][8]
External links
- Stephens Campaign Website
- Stephens on Facebook
- Stephens for Justice Press Release "Announcement of Candidacy" October 26, 2010
- The Cap Times "Crime and Courts: High court candidates plan to use public funds," November 14, 2010
Footnotes
- ↑ The Washington Examiner, "Unofficial results for Wis. Supreme Court Primary," February 15, 2011
- ↑ Associated Press "Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser to seek re-election," November 10, 2010
- ↑ WisLawJournal "Supreme Court candidates emerge," October 26, 2010
- ↑ Post Crescent "Four vie for seat on Wisconsin Supreme Court," February 6, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Three Supreme Court candidates will get public funding," January 13, 2011
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Supreme Court candidate who refused public support sees campaign fund lag," February 7, 2011
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 The Post Crescent "Marla Stephens, director of the Wisconsin public defender's appellate division, announces bid for Wisconsin Supreme Court," October 27, 2010
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Office of The State Public Defender:Stephens Profile
Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin
State courts:
Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin Court of Appeals • Wisconsin Circuit Courts • Wisconsin Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin