(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Since taking office in January, District Attorney Xavier Solis has overseen a significant transformation within the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office, bringing in new prosecutors and charting a fresh course for the office’s future.
Solis, sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, has hired seven assistant district attorneys in his first seven months, with more expected to join soon. Two new prosecutors are set to begin later this year after being admitted to the Wisconsin bar. Solis told Kenosha County Eye that additional hires are likely in the near future.
Before Solis even took the oath of office, seven prosecutors had already resigned—some reportedly unwilling to work under a Republican DA, the first elected in Kenosha County in over 100 years. Since January, four more have left, all for personal or family-related reasons. One who previously resigned before Solis was sworn in later returned and is now a trusted member of the team.
Solis emphasized that none of the recent resignations stemmed from internal conflict or office dissatisfaction. Assistant District Attorney Alex Huber, whose last day was two weeks ago, offered high praise for the office on his way out.
“As for why I am leaving, it has nothing to do with the Kenosha DA’s Office. I have loved my time here in Kenosha and am sad to leave this office and this county,” Huber said. He and his wife are relocating out of state to raise their family near relatives and recently purchased a home in his hometown.
ADA Jennifer Tanck Adams will also be departing next Friday to work at a district attorney’s office closer to her family. ADA Carlie O’Donnell, whose last day is also next Friday, is leaving for similar family-related reasons. Deputy District Attorney Drew Burgoyne is staying on until late August, when he will begin a new position.
One newly hired prosecutor was terminated earlier this year after sending an email in which he called a defense attorney a “bitch” in Spanish, along with other degrading remarks. Solis acted swiftly, firing the prosecutor and reaffirming that professionalism is non-negotiable in his office.
Recruiting new prosecutors remains a challenge statewide. Entry-level ADAs in Kenosha earn less than $39 per hour—far below the $100 per hour paid to private attorneys who take public defender cases. While the state offers loan forgiveness to prosecutors who stay ten years or more, the long commitment and significant student debt burdens deter many from entering public service.
Despite that, Solis remains confident in his ongoing efforts to grow and strengthen the team.
“We’ve brought in some excellent attorneys and I’m excited about the direction we’re heading,” he said. “We’re committed to serving the people of Kenosha County with professionalism and integrity.”
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12 Responses
I’m sure people may have differing opinions about why so much turnover but regardless of the reason or reasons the DA needs to ensure that the remaining staff and those he will hire are supported and empowered to avoid burnout and turnover. The community isn’t helped by turnover.
ADA’S have had their salaries increased the last few years. It took a while, but the state came through. No, they do not make as much as private practice, but the state of WI pension is one of the top three in the country.
It refreshing and exciting to see some change in Kenoshas court system for the better of Kenosha citizens. Go Xavier
We have a better captain then who was leading the ship before!!
I count 11 thumbs down—perhaps from the same eleven people who gossip and spread malicious rumors, and who couldn’t resign back in January because no one else would hire them.
A much better Captain!
Even liberal attorneys are smart enough to get the new job before quitting the old one.
That is if they can.
Just move to Madison.
Or better yet, open your own practice.
Go against Xavier. Become a defense attorney.
Who better to know how the other side works than someone who’s been there
Worked with some of the previous regime for many years. When they would contact me or others in my area, we usually ended up facepalming ourselves after almost every discussion once they left. The questions/comments were almost always embarrassingly ignorant.
Either way there’s a lot less Subaru’s parked outside the DA’s office
So glad to see Gravely and his band of ugly lesbians gone.
Draining the swamp! Kudos to DA Solis. 👏👏
That’s the funny thing: When you drain the swamp, sometimes you find that all your left with is the residue of scum.
I swear people always gotta say stuff. Let’s see u be a DA and see if u could do better… to all the people who always have negative things to say