Evers' judges: Peggy L. Miller

​​"Evers' judges" is our effort to present information about Gov. Tony Evers' appointees to the bench. The information is taken from the appointees' own judgeship applications.
 
Italics indicate direct quotes from the application.​ Typos, including punctuation errors, come from the original application even though we have not inserted “(sic)” after each one. WJI has left them as is.

Name: Peggy L. Miller
 
Appointed to: Marinette County Circuit Court
 
Appointment date: March 21, 2024, effective July 31 2024 (term ending July 31, 2025)
 
Education:
Law School – Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Undergraduate – Concordia University, Appleton, Wisconsin
Associate – Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, Wisconsin
High School – Ashwaubeon High, Green Bay, Wisconsin
 
Recent legal employment:
January 2019-present – Family Court commissioner/court commissioner/register in probate, Oconto County, Oconto, Wisconsin
May 2015-August 2019 – Attorney, DiRenzo & Bomier, LLC, Neenah, Wisconsin
January 2011-May 2015 – Attorney, Peterson, Berk & Cross, S.C., Appleton, Wisconsin
October 2011-June 2015 – Paralegal Program chair, Globe University, closed
January 1999-January 2011 – Attorney, Stellpflug Law, S.C. (now known as One Law Group, S.C.), Green Bay, Wisconsin
 
Bar and administrative memberships:
State Bar of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
 
General character of practice:
While in private practice I represented clients in the following areas: All aspects of family law, such as divorce, post divorce matters, legal separation, annulment and paternity matters. I served as Guardian ad Litem for children in placement disputes, and as Guardian ad Litem for adults in guardianship matters. I represented clients in small claims matters, including landlord/tenant disputes and money judgment claims. I was appointed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice to handle foreclosure mediation matters, and appointed by the Eastern District of Wisconsin to handle bankruptcy mediation. Additionally, I served as a private mediator at the request of attorneys to assist in settlement of contested divorce personal property matters.
 
Describe typical clients:
My typical client would be involved in a paternity, divorce or post judment family matter. I also represented the best interests of children and adults while serving as their Guardian ad Litem. I represented clients as litigants in small claims and restraining order matters.
 
Number of cases tried to verdict: None
 
List up to three significant trials, appeals, or other legal matters in which you participated as a judge or lawyer in the past seven years:
As Family Court Commissioner of Oconto County, from March 8, 2019 to February 28, 2022, I heard four motion hearings, two contempt hearings, held four status conferences and presided over one placement trial involving the same parties. . . . (T)he Respondent was pro se. I had been informed before the very first hearing on March 8, 2019 that the Respondent is often difficult and had threatened one of our Judges. I was to never conduct a hearing without security present. Unfortunately, we were experiencing a security officer shortage and it was not possible for me to have security present at all times. The Guardian ad Litem made several complaints during the hearings about the Respondent's attitude toward her. I made it a point to treat the Respondent with respect throughout each hearing and trial, and expressed empathy with his difficulty to manuever through the legal process without counsel. 1 complimented Respondent on his respectful demeanor and ability to adequately represent himself during the hearings and trial. I made the most of opportunities to educate the Respondent on the legal process without providing legal advice. While extremely challenging at times, I believe my calm demeanor and respectful attitude with the pro se Respondent aided in the hearings being conducted without incident. The Respondent made a point of thanking me for treating him fairly, and informed me on several occasions that he and the opposing party were getting along better. The experiences with this Respondent are significant to me because it verified the way you treat a litigant can make a difference in how they view the judiciary, the legal process and the legal profession.
 
A second significant trial occurred in 2020. As the Family Court Commissioner of Oconto County, I conducted a post judgment placement trial. The parties were both pro se . . . . The Mother had primary placement of the minor child for several years. The Father had infrequent contact with the child. The Mother felt it was unfair to award the Father any placement since he'd had little contact prior to the commencement of the legal matter. The Father had obtained stable employment and residence, and was now emotionally mature enough to understand the significance of being a parent. I awarded a graduated placement schedule to the Father. I was able to develop a placement schedule that increased Father's time at a pace that allowed the Mother to ease into the idea of no longer being the only responsible parent for the child. At the same time I was able to recognize the Father's signficiant emotional and financial strides toward becoming a responsible parent, while at the same time considering the best interests of the child. A few months after the trial, the Mother thanked me and informed me that the new placement schedule was going well. The Mother's comments made this case significant to me because it confirmed my belief that making it known you are addressing everyone's concerns while delivering a decision can make a difference to the parties acceptance of and compliance with the decision.
 
Experience in adversary proceedings before administrative bodies:
I represented a litigant in one adversary proceeding before a Department of Natural Resources Administrative Law Judge. My client was losing part of his shoreline to erosion which made ingress and egress to his property unsafe. After consultation with a local DNR Agent, my client planted specific and approved plants on the shoreline. There were complaints by boaters on the lake regarding the ugliness or the client's plantings. The DNR Agent ordered my client to remove the plantings. The client refused, A citation was issued and we went to trial. After a full day trial, the Administrative Law Judge ruled in my client's favor.
 
Describe your non-litigation experience (e.g., arbitration, mediation).
While in private practice, I handled child custody/placement mediation for Kewaunee County for several years. I handled many small claims mediation matters for Winnebago County. I was appointed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice to perform foreclosure mediation in nine northern Wisconsin counties when the homeowner requested mediation. I was also appointed by the State of Wisconsin, Eastern District to perform mediation in bankruptcy cases when requested by a filing party. Finally, I have acted as a private mediator in divorce actions regarding division of personal property, when requested by attorneys.
 
Position or involvement in judicial, non-partisan, or partisan political campaign, committee, or organization: None
 
Previous runs for public office: n/a
 
All judicial or non-partisan candidates endorsed in the last ten years: None
 
Professional or civic and charitable organizations:
From 1/2001 until 12/2018 I represented parties in pro bono divorce actions for both Brown County and Winnebago County. As I completed each case I would accept a new case.
 
I completed and filed necessary paperwork to establish a non-profit organization for Green Bay Elite. This is an all-star cheerleading competition organization that did various fund raising events to alleviate the cost of uniforms, cheerleading competition fees and travel expenses.
 
Significant pro bono legal work or volunteer service:
Planning and Public Advisory Committee, member, March 2023-present
OLR, Special Preliminary Review Committee, member, January 2022-present
Family Court Commissioner Association, treasurer, January 2023-present
Family Law Section Board, board member, January 2012-December 2020
State Bar Board of Governors, board member, January 2002-December 2006
CLE Committee, member, January 2002-December 2006
YWCA of Greater Green Bay, board member, September 2001-August 2005
 
Quotes:
 
Why I want to be a judge:
I want to serve the people of Wisconsin as a Judge because I want to make a difference in the way the general public views the court system and the judiciary. I want to show litigants that the Judge can treat them with respect and express empathy, even while making a difficult decision.
 
Serving as Judge of any County is a privilege that must be taken seriously. This is a privilege I want to extend beyond the bench with community involvement. Speaking and volunteering within the community I serve, as allowable by the judicial ethical rules. It is my belief that the more the public has access to the court system and the judiciary, the better the public will understand, have confidence in, and respect the legal profession as a whole.
 
Describe which case in the past 25 years by the Wisconsin Supreme Court or U.S. Supreme Court you believe had a significant positive or negative impact on the people of Wisconsin.
Obergefill v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015) U.S. Supreme Court decision which made same-sex marriage allowable in all states was, in my view, one of the most significant positive decisions made affecting the entire country. This is a positive stride in recognizing human equality, no matter race, religion, or sexual orientation. Not only did this case allow people of the same sex to legally marry, but it began a flood of cases to extend the rights beyond just marriage. It remains to be seen how many changes the Obergefill decision will cause, but further anti­discrimination protections are likely. This case is a definite win for diversity.
 
Two or three judges whom I admire and why:
I admire former Justice Shirley Abrahamson as the first female to be appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person during a State Bar event. She was kind, responsive and very unpretentious. She served a long and distinguished career. But, beyond her legal career she was a wonderful and engaging speaker on many topics. I consider myself lucky to have heard her speak on numerous occasions, as well as having met her in person. Her inception of the Court with Class program for high school students was, in my opinion, an amazing way to get a new generation involved and interested in the legal system.
 
I knew Judge Marc A. Hammer prior to my attending law school. During law school I began working for Marc Hammer as a law clerk. Immediately upon graduation, I was hired by the same law firm and was lucky to call Marc Hammer my mentor and friend. Marc was a wonderful teacher. He exhibits compassion, kindness, patience and an amazing ability to think on his feet. I will forever be grateful to the tutelage I received from Judge Marc Hammer who continues to be my friend.
 
The proper role of a judge:
I would describe the proper role of a Judge to be a person with better than average oral writing and analytical skills. A person who can apply the law with strength and compassion. A person who strives to stop personal, societal and political bias from entering a decision. A person who joins the community he/she serves for the good of the legal profession and the public.

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