Jennifer Dorow Sworn in as Waukesha County's Newest Judge

In emotional ceremony in front of hundreds of friends, family and local political leaders, Jennifer Dorow became the 18th judge to preside in the

Dorow, a local defense attorney who previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the Waukesha County district attorney’s office, told the community she would not have sought the appointment from Gov. Scott Walker without prayer.

“I am thankful that through the years, many of you in this room have prayed for me diligently. Please, continue to do so,” Dorow said. “I am reminded of a verse from Micah, ‘He has shown you, oh man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’”

Dorow was sworn in by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justic Annette Ziegler. Also present at the ceremony were many judges from different levels in the court system, including Mark Gundrum, who was recently appointed to the Court of Appeals by Walker. Dorow is replacing the seat that was left vacant by Gundrum’s move.

Past and future colleagues of Dorow praised the new judge for her work.

“She understand people, she understands law and she is able to merge those two,” said Judge Michael Bohren.

Former Waukesha County District Attorney Paul Bucher, now also a private practice lawyer, said he first was impressed by Dorow when they were putting up political signs. He told the crowd his thoughts about her at that point: “She is sharp. She is going someplace.”

The next time he saw Dorow, she was in front of him interviewing for the assistant district attorney position in his office. She received the job and stayed in his office for four years before moving on to private practice.

“There was something about her at that time,” Bucher said. “… She definitely had it. … I knew I had made the right decision.”

While her private practice law partner, Matthew Huppertz, had plenty of jokes and kept the crowd laughing as he spoke about Dorow’s early years as a lawyer, he shared what made her who she is. He called the new judge caring and compassionate.

“Jennifer has one of the biggest hearts of any individual that I have ever known,” Huppertz said.