KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge David O. Hughes formally celebrated his investiture Thursday afternoon during a 4:15 p.m. ceremony in the newly restored Ceremonial Courtroom at the Kenosha County Courthouse, surrounded by family, fellow judges, attorneys, elected officials and members of the community. Hughes began serving earlier this year after Gov. Tony Evers appointed him to succeed retired Branch 4 Judge Anthony Milisauskas. Although Hughes has been on the bench since January, he intentionally delayed his ceremonial investiture until restoration work on the historic courtroom was completed over the summer.

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“Hosting an investiture in September after an appointment in January seems like a little bit of an odd choice,” Hughes told those gathered. “But I cut my teeth and I spent my earliest time practicing in this courtroom before Judge (Bruce) Schroeder, so there was nothing I wanted more than to wait for this courtroom to be renovated and restored to all of its apparent glory before conducting my investiture today. And seeing it here now, I’m quite sure I made the right decision.”

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Hughes said Judge Chad Kerkman became unexpectedly unavailable, and Judge Jason A. Rossell was also not in attendance. The county’s other five circuit court judges — Gerad Dougvillo, Heather Iverson, David P. Wilk, Angelina Gabriele and Jodi L. Meier — attended the ceremony.

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A Family Tradition On The Bench
Hughes’ father, Jeffrey R. Hughes, a retired U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge for the Western District of Michigan, traveled to Kenosha and spoke about his son’s new role and the Hughes family’s long history in the judiciary. He recounted generations of relatives who served as judges or justices of the peace before turning to lessons he learned during his own judicial career.

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The elder Hughes emphasized that judges are adjudicators, not legislators, and told his son that even when a law does not make sense or a judge personally disagrees with it, the judge has an obligation to follow it. He also stressed patience, preparation, courtesy and the importance of explaining decisions so that even someone unhappy with an outcome can walk away believing he or she was treated fairly.

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Hughes’ longtime Kenosha law partners, Roberta Puntillo (D) and Thomas Camilli Jr., also addressed the courtroom. Camilli recalled first interviewing Hughes about 14 years ago and asking why a Michigan native who attended the University of Wisconsin wanted to practice in Kenosha. Hughes told him he wanted to make a name for himself and chart his own course. Camilli described Hughes as an exceptionally prepared attorney with an ability to tackle complicated legal issues and said his practice included real estate, civil litigation, probate disputes, trust administration, business transactions, workers’ compensation and estate planning.

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The speakers also offered a glimpse of Hughes outside the courtroom, describing him as a devoted father, accomplished cook and loyal friend. Puntillo recalled Hughes’ children running into the law office excited to see their father and said Hughes made a point of being present in their lives despite the demands of his legal career.

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“He’s Not Going To Bow To Public Pressure”
Camilli said the qualities Hughes displayed as an attorney would serve him on the bench, particularly his independence and willingness to make difficult decisions based upon the law rather than popularity.

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“He’s not going to create it. He’s not going to make decisions on personal preference. He’s not going to bow to public pressure or the prevailing winds,” Camilli said. “He’s going to look at the facts. He’s going to listen carefully to both sides. And he’s going to make the best decision that he can under the law.”

Camilli described Hughes as “fiercely independent” and said he would not be intimidated or swayed by influence. He told attorneys who will practice before Hughes in Branch 4 to come prepared because Hughes would be prepared himself.

Hughes Reaffirms Oath Of Office
Judges Angelina Gabriele and Heather Iverson administered Hughes’ ceremonial oath. Hughes reaffirmed that he would support the Constitution of the United States and Wisconsin Constitution, administer justice without respect to persons and discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability. His sons, Owen and Harrison, stood alongside him during the oath, and Hughes’ wife, Emily, and their sons later presented him with his judicial robe and gavel.

Hughes thanked his family, former colleagues, fellow judges, courthouse employees, attorneys and elected officials who helped him reach the bench. He credited conversations with his father about judicial philosophy with helping shape his own approach to the law and said Puntillo, Camilli and his other former colleagues gave him the opportunity and incentive to put down roots and make Kenosha his home.

Hughes is a graduate of the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin Law School. Before becoming a circuit court judge, he served in leadership roles with the Kenosha County Bar Association and Friends of the Kenosha Museums and served as a commissioner for the Kenosha Housing Authority. His current judicial term runs through July 31, 2027, and Hughes may seek election to a full six-year term in April 2027.

“A Fair Process, Fairly Applied”
Hughes closed the ceremony by laying out his own judicial philosophy, telling those gathered that the American legal system rests upon two pillars: due process and the rule of law. He said due process means everyone receives a fair opportunity to present claims, defenses and, most importantly, to be heard, while the rule of law demands accountability regardless of a person’s “birth, creed, or station.”

“A fair process, fairly applied, means fair results, and that’s justice,” Hughes said. He told the audience that putting on the judicial robe made him a “steward and a servant of the public’s interests” and entrusted him with helping preserve and sustain the community he now serves from the bench.

“I’m honored to accept this responsibility, I’m honored to accept this appointment, I’m honored to serve in this station,” Hughes said, promising to discharge the duties of his office “to the utmost of my ability” in service to Kenosha County.

Following the ceremony, Hughes invited those in attendance to a reception at Church and Market in Downtown Kenosha.