Why Amber

I have dedicated my career to helping to better the lives of others. My work as a Circuit Court Judge is an extension of that work, because so many in the Milwaukee community struggle with poverty and other systemic challenges that bring them into contact with the court system. 

I think it is important that judicial officials continue to take a holistic view of individuals in cases and my experiences leading up to this point make me extremely good at this task. Through my work representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at RISE Law Center, I saw people at their most vulnerable and scared. I was able to support them and recognize that they were more than just their most traumatic experiences. 

This is similar to decisions I make as a Circuit Court Judge when deciding how to best protect members of the community or victims of crimes. Judges must be willing to try and see the whole person, to discern what is needed and to have the courage to act decisively. 

As an Assistant Family Court Commissioner, I strove to treat everyone in my courtroom as someone who deserves dignity and respect regardless of their circumstances as they seek access to justice, and I am continuing that approach as a Circuit Court Judge. 

These values were instilled in me early in my life. It is important to remember that the people in our courtrooms are not just names on a docket sheet; they are our neighbors, coworkers, and fellow citizens. While those of us who work at the courthouse may be used to seeing these individuals on their worst day, I think it is important to remember that we cannot know their whole story—their struggles (such as mental illness, or drug addiction, or just a series of rough breaks) and their successes. 

I believe that this viewpoint—which I have honed through years of public interest practice—is vital to being a good judge. While I know it may not always be possible, it is my goal in every case to try to see each individual as their whole person. This would include the good and the bad, the strengths and the weaknesses. 

In a previous position as a staff attorney in the guardian ad litem division at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, I honed my ability to connect with diverse clientele and to make them feel comfortable while they are going through difficult circumstances in the Court system. Finally, as the immediate past president of the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL), I think it is vitally important that our community members of color have decision makers that look like them—not only because it enhances the fairness and legitimacy of our judicial proceedings, but also because it can inspire others to see pathways toward access and opportunity they may not have previously imagined. 

I look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail and earning your vote!