Name Patricia Curley | ||
Education Marquette University Law School | ||
Patricia S. Curley (born October 25, 1946) is an American jurist and the presiding judge of District I of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Curley has served on the Milwaukee-based court since 1996 and as its presiding judge since 2007.
Biography
Born in Milwaukee, Curley is the daughter of Robert M. Curley, a legislator and circuit court judge. She received her bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1969 and graduated from the university's law school in 1973. From 1973 to 1978, Curley was employed as an assistant district attorney in Milwaukee County, serving in the office's sensitive crimes unit under District Attorney E. Michael McCann. In July 1978, Curley was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court by Acting Governor Marty Schreiber and was elected to a six-year term on the court in April 1979. During her tenure on the circuit court, Curley specialized in family law and served ten years as a family court judge.
In 1996, Curley challenged Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Michael T. Sullivan for his seat on the court's District I, which serves Milwaukee County. After a contentious campaign, Curley unseated Sullivan. In 2007, Curley succeeded Ted E. Wedemeyer, Jr. as presiding judge of District I.