(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Allegations of volatility and internal turmoil surrounding Judge Chad Kerkman continue to mount, as courthouse insiders now say another long-serving bailiff was abruptly removed from his courtroom following what sources describe as yet another emotional outburst.
Multiple court employees have confirmed that Connie Kirchner, a senior and widely respected bailiff, was removed from Kerkman’s courtroom in recent weeks and reassigned to Intake and Small Claims duties. While Clerk of Circuit Court Rebecca Matoska-Mentink denied that Kirchner was terminated, confirming she “continues employment with Kenosha County as a bailiff” , insiders say the reassignment came immediately after what they characterized as a meltdown by the judge.
The precise reason for the outburst remains unclear.
One authenticated tip received by Kenosha County Eye described Kirchner as “one of the best, most senior, and above all, most principled and well-mannered bailiff[s] at the courthouse” and alleged that Kerkman “appears to have awakened in one of his now-familiar temper episodes and decided to terminate her employment” . While that assertion of termination has been contradicted by county officials, multiple courthouse sources confirm she was removed from Kerkman’s courtroom.
No disciplinary records, complaints, or performance issues appear to exist. In response to a public records request seeking any disciplinary materials or termination documentation related to Kirchner, the Clerk’s Office stated that, in consultation with Human Resources, “no responsive documents exist” .
That absence of documentation raises questions about what prompted the change.
Kirchner is not the first bailiff whose role has shifted amid reported tension in Kerkman’s courtroom. Over the past several months, Kenosha County Eye has documented repeated allegations of volatile behavior, including raised-voice confrontations, threats toward court officials, and internal disputes that have unsettled staff.
Attorneys who regularly practice in Kenosha County describe Kerkman as the most hot-tempered judge on the bench. Several characterized his courtroom demeanor as unpredictable, with frequent visible frustration and sharp exchanges directed at both attorneys and staff. Some said privately that they advise clients to expect a tense atmosphere when appearing in his courtroom.
The reassignment also comes against the backdrop of broader controversy involving courthouse security changes and a newly implemented “checkpoint” procedure. An internal tip questioned whether outside agencies were consulted for a security assessment and whether changes were tied to internal concerns . However, the Clerk’s Office stated that any courthouse security assessment requests “would be conducted by the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office” and that the Clerk’s budget contains no line item for such security measures .
For courthouse employees, however, the latest personnel shift is viewed less as an isolated administrative decision and more as part of a continuing pattern. Insiders describe an environment where staff assignments can change suddenly after tense encounters. Several employees said morale has suffered amid uncertainty and public scrutiny.
Neither Judge Kerkman nor Clerk Matoska-Mentink provided comment on the specific circumstances surrounding Kirchner’s reassignment beyond confirming she remains employed.
With no documented performance concerns and no formal disciplinary trail, the central question remains unanswered: what prompted a respected, veteran bailiff to be removed from one of the county’s busiest courtrooms?
As internal tensions persist and scrutiny intensifies, courthouse observers say the pattern of volatility — not any single incident — is what has them most concerned.
10 Responses
.. if a judge thinks he or she has the power to fire ANYONE !!!
A judge’s power should be limited to nothing more than the criminal or civil case in front of them. Period !!!
They are nothing more than employees of the county hired by the voters that vote !
They shouldn’t be able to say anything about courthouse personnel any more than they can say what color they want the toilet stalls in the restrooms painted !
Do the Effen job you were hired/elected to do and respect every employee and citizen you come in contact with ! They are there to help you do your job !
While Judges are due respect in their own right that doesn’t make them God or even “the boss” in charge of ANYTHING !!
And if I’m wrong then the effen rules need to change !
I’m so Fucking tired of reading about this guy abusing his so called position of power that I can’t imagine him getting elected again !
If we as the collective citizenry don’t vote this guy out then I don’t know what to think about my friends and neighbors.
Someone please run against this JERK !!!
Well stated! 👏
You can’t reason with ego.
His time will come
Last name says it all. They walk on water and we mop it up when they are done!!!
KCE might as well redact any and all information contained in any articles about this family. We all “know substantially” that they are corrupt pieces of [redacted].
Cocaine is a hell of a drug
Perhaps they should to a mental evaluation on this POS judge and see if he’s stable enough to remain a judge!! They do it for felons, why not judges too? This guy definitely is abusing his power and he’s so full of himself, that everyone that has to appear in front of him, should ask for a change in judge for their cases!! Maybe he hasn’t taken his bipolar meds!!
These articles are disheartening because there are many GOOD people working at the courthouse but the working environment has become toxic, to say the least.
Kerkman’s Fiefdom …
I worked with him many times over the years. I couldn’t stand him.