Milwaukee Judge John Franke to Return to Trial Work

Circuit Judge Steps Down after 21 Years on the Bench to Join Gass Weber Mullins

Milwaukee, November 6, 2008 - Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John Franke announced today that he will step down from the bench to return to a career as a trial lawyer. Franke will join the Milwaukee-based national trial law firm Gass Weber Mullins starting January 1.

"I found immense personal and professional satisfaction in serving as a judge," said Judge Franke. "I have missed the work of a trial lawyer and decided it was time to be an advocate again. I know that clients put themselves into their trial lawyer's hands, and I look forward to the complex litigation handled by Gass Weber Mullins."

Prior to his election as judge, Franke led the US Department of Justice's Organized Crime Section in Milwaukee and was in charge of all organized crime prosecutions here for five years. At age 31, Franke was the lead prosecutor on the federal gambling and extortion cases against organized crime boss Frank Balistrieri and his two sons. He successfully prosecuted the Balistrieri family and other organized crime figures from Milwaukee, Chicago and New York for racketeering and extortion.

While with the Organized Crime Section, Franke also prosecuted a major cocaine distribution ring, obtaining 22 convictions and the largest cash forfeiture in Wisconsin at the time.

Said Franke, "The organized crime cases gave me a chance to go up against some of the best defense lawyers in the country." His work for the Organized Crime section earned him the Department's Outstanding Service Award.

Franke's career as a trial lawyer began when he became an assistant US Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin. There he specialized in prosecuting complex, white-collar criminal cases. Franke also handled hundreds of land condemnation cases essential to the creation of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the St. Croix Scenic River Way, work that led to a special commendation from the National Park Service.

Said Steve Glynn, attorney with Glynn, Fitzgerald & Albee, "While the Milwaukee County Circuit Court will sorely miss Judge Franke's intelligence, commitment and judicial courage, I'm pleased to see his substantial talents as a trial lawyer will once again be employed on behalf of clients. His integrity and his work ethic, coupled with a tremendous skill set, will quickly return him to the ranks of the best Milwaukee trial lawyers. Gass Weber Mullins has scored a major coup with his recruitment."

Franke was elected Circuit Court Judge in 1987 and served in civil court as well as in the juvenile and criminal court divisions. During the past 21 years, he presided over more than 600 jury trials, including class actions, environmental lawsuits, complicated insurance coverage matters, products liability claims, medical malpractice cases and multi-million dollar personal injury cases.

He presided in cases of local and national interest, including the City of Milwaukee's action to recover damages from the lead paint industry and the prosecution of basketball star Charles Barkley for battery. His work has included many high profile criminal cases, including more than 30 homicide trials.

His experience as a juvenile and criminal court judge led Franke to write and speak about the need to take an honest look at the root causes of violent crime. In a 1985 Milwaukee Journal editorial, he contended that we did not need to pass new laws as much as we need to stem the tide of neglected and abused children. "The solution to this crisis will not be found by making the law and courtrooms better," he wrote, "but by making the lives of these children better."

Former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, now a law professor at Marquette noted, "In addition to being very bright and hard working, John Franke has impeccable integrity. I am sad he won't be on the bench anymore, but his addition will be great for Gass Weber Mullins and their clients."

Gass Weber Mullins is based in Milwaukee's Third Ward and focuses on challenging and technical civil litigation for clients across the country. Said Ralph Weber, one of the founding members who has known Judge Franke for many years, "John Franke was a successful, tested trial lawyer before he became a judge. He has seen first-hand how to be effective with courts and juries, and as a result he will be an even better trial lawyer in the future. He will bring a perspective to our clients that will be extremely valuable."

Said Franke, "A boutique litigation firm is the best way for me to return to a career as a trial lawyer. I know Gass Weber Mullin's reputation for doing superior work and was impressed by their commitment to excellence. They create a great environment for all who work there.

"Gass Weber Mullins takes on their clients' toughest cases, both here in Wisconsin and across the country - the kind of complex civil litigation I have come to respect and envy in my work as a judge," continued Franke.

About Gass Weber Mullins

Gass Weber Mullins was founded in 2004 and concentrates in complex litigation for corporations, organizations, public entities and individuals across the country. The firm's trial lawyers specialize in trying their clients' toughest cases and have tried several high-profile trials including the Miller Park crane accident and the WEPCO environmental pollution case that resulted in a record setting verdict.