(Governor’s Office)
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Toni L. Young to the Racine County Circuit Court – Branch 3. The appointment fills the vacancy created by Judge Maureen M. Martinez’s resignation, effective Nov. 17, 2023. Young will complete a term ending July 31, 2024.
“Toni Young is a well-respected attorney with broad experience who is committed to seeking justice for everyone who enters her courtroom,” said Gov. Evers. “She will be an excellent judge for the people of Racine County.”
Young is currently the local attorney manager for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office in Janesville. She began her legal career as a contract analyst for Manpower in Milwaukee in 2006. In 2009, she opened Balancing the Scales of Justice LLC, a solo legal practice based in Racine focused on criminal and juvenile defense work, as well as family law and bankruptcy matters. She then became a trial attorney for the public defender’s office in Kenosha County from 2016 to 2020. In 2020, she began taking public defender private bar appointments and represented clients in civil matters, most notably being retained by Racine County judges as a guardian ad litem. In May 2021, she returned to the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office and was promoted to her current position in June of this year.
“Congratulations to Toni Young on her appointment to the Racine County Circuit Court,” said Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Milton Childs. “I had the pleasure of working in Racine for a number of years, and I created many lifelong friends and connections. The county is very fortunate to have someone sitting on the bench that loves and respects all members of her community and is committed to being fair and just while treating people with dignity and respect.”
Young is a Racine native and is a graduate of Grambling State University and Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. She is a member of Epsilon Kappa Omega, a Milwaukee chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. In addition to being a member of numerous professional organizations, she was recognized in 2020 by the Wisconsin Law Journal as a Leader in the Law.
“To say that I am honored that Governor Evers has selected me for the Racine County Circuit Court judicial appointment does little to describe the sentiment of gratitude that I feel,” said Young. “I plan to exemplify my gratefulness through my work as a judge by extending equal access to my courtroom without consideration for anything other than justice. I endeavor to achieve positive transformation; that is my composition and configuration, both personally and professionally. During this appointment and beyond, I look forward to working with the Racine County Circuit Court judges, court staff, and citizens of Racine County.”
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
“Toni will be a tremendous addition to the judiciary. She’s smart and has the perfect temperament for the bench. She respects defendants’ rights and the rules of criminal procedure, which will ensure both fairness and the always important ‘appearance of fairness’ in her courtroom. This is a fantastic appointment!” said Criminal Defense Attorney and Author, Michael Cicchini Wednesday afternoon.
If Young choses to run, she will be on the April 2, 2024 ballot.
10 Responses
Check the box nomination.
Toni is a fantastic attorney and is the most qualified candidate! Racine is lucky to get her – wish Kenosha’s female judges were half as qualified and kind as Toni.
She’s horrible
What does her being a female have to do with it? Isn’t it about qualifications? Is this berg or Joel?
I agree. Being a female has nothing to do with it.
Good. Stay in Racine now. She was the attorney for fuller who said everyone was racist because he killed someone, then backed out when she realized she was gonna lose
Toni is not of the same persuasion politically but I know that she has a good heart and cares for justice. Hopefully this will translate to her service on the bench.
Congratulations to her!
Wow… can’t really keep a job for more than a year, and now she’s been promoted. Check the box apparently.
Is there a reason Toni is no longer listed as a Judge in Racine and now works as an assistant District Attorney in Kenosha in March 2025? Would like to know the story.