By Kim McDarison

A litigation and trial attorney John William Nelson was appointed to serve as interim municipal judge by members of the Whitewater Common Council during a special meeting held Wednesday.

Nelson was appointed following a 4-3 vote, with council President Patrick Singer, and council members Neil Hicks and Lisa Dawsey Smith voting for one of his opponents, city attorney Jonathan McDonell. A third applicant, retired probation and parole agent Art Coleman, also sought the position.

During the meeting, councilwoman Brienne Brown thanked the applicants for their interest, noting that she had been impressed with each of their resumes. Other council members echoed her view.

After receiving his appointment, the city clerk administered to Nelson the oath of office. Nelson will next attend a four-day new municipal judge orientation beginning Tuesday in Appleton. He will begin his tenure as the city’s interim municipal judge June 1. Nelson is anticipated to serve until a special election to find a permanent judge is held in November. Following the special election, a permanent judge will serve the remainder of resigning Judge Patrick Taylor’s term, which ends in 2027.

Within materials submitted as part of his application, and during the council meeting, Nelson indicated that he is planning to run for placement in November to the permanent seat.

Nelson, according to his application materials, and his comments made before council, moved with his family from Georgia to Whitewater in 2019, following his wife’s acceptance of a position with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The couple has two children both of whom attend the Whitewater Middle School.

In submitted materials, Nelson wrote: “The reason I believe I am well suited for this position is because of my experience running my own law firm while focusing on trial and litigation matters. I am familiar with courtroom procedure in multiple jurisdictions, including the rules of evidence. I have handled multiple jury trials—including civil and criminal trials in State and Federal courts — as well as hundreds of non-jury trials like the ones held in Municipal Court. I know I can run trials and hearings effectively, efficiently, and within the bounds of the law. My practice in Georgia resulted in the representation of numerous clients for whom English was a second language, or who did not speak English at all.”

During the selection process, council members took turns asking each applicant a serious of questions, most of which were included in the meeting’s packet, and were offered in advance of the meeting to the applicants.

Each applicant was given three minutes to make on opening statement, and two minutes to answer questions posed by council members.

An earlier story, including each applicant’s full application, including a cover letter and resume, is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/mcdonell-nelson-coleman-throw-hat-in-ring-for-appointment-as-interim-municipal-judge/.

An earlier story about Judge Patrick Taylor’s resignation is here: https://whitewaterwise.com/municipal-judge-applications-sought-taylor-thanks-community-for-the-honor-to-serve/.