Justice Shirley Abrahamson, the longest serving state Supreme Court justice in the country, is the featured presenter at University of Wisconsin Law School’s 2018 Robert W. Kastenmeier Lecture. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 19, as part of the Law School’s 150th anniversary festivities.

Abrahamson became the first woman to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court when then-Governor Patrick Lucey appointed her in 1967. She is also the first woman to serve as Wisconsin’s chief justice, a position she held from 1996 through 2015. Following her appointment, Abrahamson won election to a full ten-year term in 1979 and has won re-election ever since. Earlier this year, she announced that she would not seek another term.

Abrahamson practiced law in Madison for 14 years taking her seat on the bench, and was a UW Law professor. She received her S.J.D. in American legal history from UW Law School in 1962. The S.J.D. is the highest degree that the Law School confers.

Appearing with Abrahamson is Judge Barbara Crabb of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. Crabb, who received her UW Law degree in 1962, will moderate the interview-style presentation.

Seating is limited for the free, public event; attendees are urged to arrive early. Registration is requested.


For News Media
Limited press credentials are available on a first come, first served basis dependent on available seating. Photography will be allowed during the first few minutes of the lecture. Justice Abrahamson will not be available for interviews. Please contact Tammy Kempfert at 608-890-1180 or tammy.kempfert@wisc.edu.

Submitted by Law School News on October 15, 2018

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