MADISON, Wis. – Assistant Attorney General Clayton Kawski has been appointed by Attorney General Brad Schimel to lead the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Criminal Appeals Unit. Kawski previously served as Deputy Director of the agency’s Special Litigation and Appeals Unit, but departed in August 2016 when he was appointed by Governor Walker to serve as circuit court judge in Branch 12 of the Dane County Circuit Court, which handles criminal cases.

“Having worked with Clay at DOJ prior to his departure for the bench, I know he has a tireless work ethic and the ability to successfully litigate important cases on behalf of the people of Wisconsin,” said Attorney General Schimel. “We are thrilled to have Clay back at DOJ and are thankful for the enthusiasm he brings to this leadership role.”

Kawski, a Stevens Point native, graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Administration-Finance before he attended Northern Illinois University College of Law. Upon graduation from law school, Kawski clerked for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. At the conclusion of his clerkship with Justice Prosser, Kawski was hired by Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, where he was an associate attorney in the Madison office, focusing on litigation. Kawski brought his talents to the Wisconsin Department of Justice in 2010, when he was hired as an assistant attorney general, a position he held until he replaced Judge David Flanagan on the Dane County Circuit Court.

Kawski resides in Madison with his wife, Marci, and their two sons.

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