Evers' judges: Reyna Morales

​​"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: Reyna Morales
 
Appointed to: Milwaukee County Circuit Court
 
Appointment date: Sept. 21, 2020 (elected in April 2021 to term ending in 2027)
 
Education:
Law School – Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Undergraduate – Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York
High School – Uniondale High, Uniondale, New York
 
Recent legal employment:
June 1997-present – Attorney, Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, Madison, Wisconsin
 
Bar and administrative memberships:
State Bar of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
 
General character of practice:
During my tenure with the State Public Defender, "SPD", I have handled thousands of cases, with a myriad of legal issues. I have had the opportunity to represent individuals in many different settings, ranging from informal diversions to extensive trials. I have experience handling juvenile, chips, guardianship, mental commitments, TPR's, misdemeanor and all level of felony cases. I never shy away from complex legal issues and I am willing to research and invest as much time as needed so that clients are zealously represented. Throughout my career I have had bench trials as well as jury trials in cases ranging from traffic matters to high profile homicides.
 
Describe typical clients:
The majority of my clientele consists of individuals who have extremely complicated lives. The vast majority of my clients come from socially marginalized communities and have had to deal with economic disadvantages all of their lives. I current represent individuals charged with serious felonies including armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides. I provide advice on a daily basis to clients who face life altering consequences as a result of their involvement in the criminal justice system. I have specialized in complex homicide cases focusing both in mental health issues as well as abusive head trauma litigation. I specialize in jury selection and in connecting with jury panels.
 
Number of cases tried to verdict: 40+
 
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:
State of Wisconsin v. Kervin Pierce - Milwaukee County Case #2017CF5844
I was the defense attorney for Mr. Kervin Pierce from 12/26/2017 through 12/07/2018. My client suffers from Schizophrenia, at the time of the incident Mr. Pierce had yet to be diagnosed with this serious mental illness which unraveled his life to the point where he killed his mother and attempted to kill his brother. I along with my defense team presented the case to a jury panel who agreed with our defense and we received a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty By Reason of Mental Decease or Defect. As a result of this case I was the first Latina in Wisconsin to be awarded the Hanson Memorial Advocate Prize by The Wisconsin Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
 
State of Wisconsin v. Jason Tilley - Milwaukee County Case #2018CF1047
I was the defense attorney for Mr. Tilley from 03/14/2018 through 02/12/2019. My client suffers from cyclical schizoaffective disorder. This disorder led to Mr. Tilley believing the "illuminati" was giving him commands and his mind unraveled to where he killed his landlord over a $30.00 increase in rent. Mr. Tilley had a checkered past with both State and Federal System by the time he became my client. On the date of the incident Mr. Tilley killed his landlord, disposed of his landlords car, and went to check in with his federal probation agent before reporting to work where he was arrested without incident. Mr. Tilley's case is significant as he had been interviewed by several members of my office before I was assigned to represent him. I had a very short interaction with him before raising competency in front of the Court. Mr. Tilley underwent treatment at Mendota Mental Health Institute and after months of treatment he was deemed competent to stand trial. A special plea was entered and two court appointed doctors agreed and supported the special plea of Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect.
 
State of Wisconsin v. Annette Morales-Rodriguez - Milwaukee County Case 2011CF4871
I along with attorney Debra Patterson represented Ms. Morales-Rodriguez from 04/18/2012 through 12/13/2012. Ms. Morales-Rodriguez was accused of the homicide of a pregnant woman and slicing out her full-term fetus, killing both the mother and child. Ms. Morales-Rodriguez only spoke Spanish. As a native speaker I was able to use my skills both in knowledge of the law and a second language to support my client while at the same time respecting all those involved in the process. We argued several complex motions and represented Ms. Morales-Rodriguez through trial.
 
Experience in adversary proceedings before administrative bodies: n/a
 
Describe your non-litigation experience (e.g., arbitration, mediation).
As a defense attorney I am in the unusual role of having to mediate between the different parties involved in the criminal justice system. In my position, success in most cases can only be achieved through negotiation and mediation with Judges, Prosecutors, and Clients.
 
I have presided over mediation tournaments at Marquette Law School.
 
Position or involvement in judicial, non-partisan, or partisan political campaign, committee, or organization:
Participated in the Official Second tier Caucus on 5/1/2016 for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to nominate Ann Jacobs to be a
delegate for the 2016 presidential convention.
 
Previous runs for public office: [No answer given]
 
All judicial or non-partisan candidates endorsed in the last ten years:
David Feiss, Circuit Court Judge, 2014
Martin “Joe” Donald, Supreme Court of Wisconsin, 2016
Martin “Joe” Donald, State Appellate Court Judge, 2019
Jean Kies, Circuit Court Judge, 2016
Thomas J McAdams, Circuit Court Judge, 2016
Janet C Protasiewicz, Circuit Court Judge, 2014
 
Professional or civic and charitable organizations:
Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association, board of directors, 2018-present
Felmers O. Chaney Advocacy Board, board member, 2019-present
Marquette University Law School Alumni Association, board member, 2010-2018
MUHS-Mother’s Guild, Hospitality Team, 2020-present
 
Significant pro bono legal work or volunteer service: [No answer given]
 
Quotes:
 
Why I want to be a judge:
I grew up in Guatemala in the middle of a civil war and was able to come to the United States in my teens. I was the first in my family to graduate from college in the United States and the first to go to Law School. I have the ability to communicate with, and work along with others with a clear understanding of the different roles we all hold in the judicial system. I want to use my life experience as a bi-cultural individual to serve the people of my community. Throughout my career I have worked with underprivileged individuals and have noticed the difference in their demeanor when they have a sense of belonging. I want to use my life experiences, knowledge, and background to have an active role in the judiciary. I understand the importance of diversity in the bench and I have learned throughout my career how important it is for underprivileged individuals to see other people of color in active roles in the court system so they feel heard.
 
I have had to assist clients with the difficult decision as to which cases to take to trial and which cases require a resolution where they are exposed to a lengthy sentence in the prison system. I have met people at their best and worst and I have had the privilege to stand beside them waiting for the judge to deliver a sentence that will impact the rest of their life. In representing individuals I understand the great power a judge has in the life of others and the impact following the law can have in the community. In exercising this role, all you can do is to try and understand the issue before you and then decide it in the best way you know how.
 
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.
I belong to the immigration specialty group in my office. I participated in the Leadership project where I prepared a presentation to our agency on the critical issues raised on Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356 (20210) Padilla has had great impact in how cases are handled in our office. Padilla brought to light the need for collaborative representation in cases where the consequence of a criminal conviction could result in the deportation and ultimate exile of a client to a foreign land. I alongside other attorneys in our office created a screening form to ensure proper representation of individuals who need a specialized immigration assessment. I participated in panel discussions and training of others both at a CLE put together by WHLA and at the annual SPD conference on the duties of counsel and the need to properly advise clients of the devastating collateral consequences in criminal matters which must be taken into consideration both by prosecutors and defense counsel alike
 
Two or three judges whom I admire and why:
I had the opportunity to meet Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. The idea of interacting with someone as brilliant as Justice Abrahamson was intimidating, however she had the ability to listen to you and make you feel as the only person in a crowded ballroom. Justice Abrahamson gave me one of the best experiences in my legal career by letting me know that she loved the law and that family is important. I had the opportunity to attend a live argument and Justice Abrahamson's questions showed she had taken the time to be prepared and treated all those involved with a level of respect which had a calming effect on a lawyer that needed reassurance in the middle of a tough oral argument. Justice Abrahamson was the first woman to be appointed as Chief Justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I often read her decisions and it is clear from her writings the profound respect she has for the law and the application of law to all those involved in the judicial system and the vast repercussions of her decisions.
 
Sonia Sotomayor - United States Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor is a true inspiration and a pioneer in the legal system. She is the first Latina to be appointed to the highest court in the United States. Justice Sotomayor has an impressive legal background with experience as a prosecutor and a corporate litigator. Justice Sotomayor's credentials have been recognized by both republican and democratic presidents. Justice Sotomayor was originally appointed to the bench by President Clinton. Before her appointment to the Supreme Court by President Obama, she had been appointed to the appellate bench by President George H.W. Bush. Justice Sotomayor is the only current justice with experience as a trial judge.
 
The proper role of a judge:
Judges have a privileged position in society. The most important role of a judge is to always be aware of the law's impact on society and everyday life. A judge must probe factual and legal details when deciding legal matters in order to uphold the rule of law. The rule of law requires a judge to be thoughtful and consistent when applying the law to cases and facts on a consistent basis.

---