News
Forbeck excited by new job
Doyle names longtime Beloit lawyer to judgeship
By Rasmieyh Abdelnabi
Daily News staff writer
It was his second attempt at obtaining a judicial position, but this time Beloit attorney Ken Forbeck made the cut.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Doyle announced the appointment of Forbeck to Branch 5 of the Rock County Circuit Court. He was chosen from a final list of four people.
“I am pleased to appoint Kenneth Forbeck as Rock County judge. Kenneth brings a wealth of legal expertise and experience to the bench and I know he will serve the people of Rock County well,” Doyle said in a statement.
Forbeck said he felt good and excited about his appointment.
“I think it's a really big responsibility,” he said. “I'd have to get involved in the job and learn as much as I can.”
Forbeck said he hopes to get involved with the juvenile sector of the courts, but the level of his involvement would depend on what the other judges are doing.
“I'm the new kid on the block,” he said with a laugh.
Forbeck isn't sure when he will begin at his post as judge as he still has an active practice to care for, he explained. He wants to make sure his clients are taken care of once he leaves his law firm. Forbeck has been a partner at Forbeck, Elliott and Monahan, S.C., for 34 years. For about a year, he worked in the Rock County District Attorney's Office. Forbeck is the Town of Beloit's attorney.
In 2003, Forbeck applied for a position on the Court of Appeals, District IV.
The Rock County judgeship became available when Circuit Court Judge John Roethe, 65, announced his retirement in September. His last day is Dec. 31. Roethe mostly handled civil cases, but was the judge who handled the newly-developed drug court. Drug court was established as an alternative to incarceration. It aims at helping drug addicts while they live outside the jail.
In October, nine attorneys applied for the position. Six of them made the cut and were interviewed by the Judicial Selection Committee, which is made up of 11 judges from throughout the state.
The committee selected four people who were interviewed by the governor early this month. Also in the running were Margery M. Tibbetts and Michael Fitzpatrick with Brennan Steil & Basting S.C. in Janesville and Rock County Family Court Commissioner Barbara McCrory.
Forbeck is married to Nancy Forbeck, president of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce. He is the stepfather of Dan Schooff, who is the deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration and served as Doyle's campaign manager in the last election.
Forbeck will fill the remainder of Roethe's term, until July 31, 2009. An election will be held in April 2009.
By Rasmieyh Abdelnabi
Daily News staff writer
It was his second attempt at obtaining a judicial position, but this time Beloit attorney Ken Forbeck made the cut.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Doyle announced the appointment of Forbeck to Branch 5 of the Rock County Circuit Court. He was chosen from a final list of four people.
“I am pleased to appoint Kenneth Forbeck as Rock County judge. Kenneth brings a wealth of legal expertise and experience to the bench and I know he will serve the people of Rock County well,” Doyle said in a statement.
Forbeck said he felt good and excited about his appointment.
“I think it's a really big responsibility,” he said. “I'd have to get involved in the job and learn as much as I can.”
Forbeck said he hopes to get involved with the juvenile sector of the courts, but the level of his involvement would depend on what the other judges are doing.
“I'm the new kid on the block,” he said with a laugh.
Forbeck isn't sure when he will begin at his post as judge as he still has an active practice to care for, he explained. He wants to make sure his clients are taken care of once he leaves his law firm. Forbeck has been a partner at Forbeck, Elliott and Monahan, S.C., for 34 years. For about a year, he worked in the Rock County District Attorney's Office. Forbeck is the Town of Beloit's attorney.
In 2003, Forbeck applied for a position on the Court of Appeals, District IV.
The Rock County judgeship became available when Circuit Court Judge John Roethe, 65, announced his retirement in September. His last day is Dec. 31. Roethe mostly handled civil cases, but was the judge who handled the newly-developed drug court. Drug court was established as an alternative to incarceration. It aims at helping drug addicts while they live outside the jail.
In October, nine attorneys applied for the position. Six of them made the cut and were interviewed by the Judicial Selection Committee, which is made up of 11 judges from throughout the state.
The committee selected four people who were interviewed by the governor early this month. Also in the running were Margery M. Tibbetts and Michael Fitzpatrick with Brennan Steil & Basting S.C. in Janesville and Rock County Family Court Commissioner Barbara McCrory.
Forbeck is married to Nancy Forbeck, president of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce. He is the stepfather of Dan Schooff, who is the deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration and served as Doyle's campaign manager in the last election.
Forbeck will fill the remainder of Roethe's term, until July 31, 2009. An election will be held in April 2009.
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