Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman spoke to Maranatha students on Sept. 17, encouraging them to pursue internships in the legal and government arenas. Justice Gableman himself was a law clerk at three different locations, both before and immediately after graduation. He was elected to a 10-year term in the state Supreme Court in 2008. Maranatha’s ROTC Color Guard and Fine Arts students were both present at Gableman’s swearing-in ceremony last August.
Q: Why did you decide to come speak to Maranatha students about internship opportunities?
A: I had known Maranatha by reputation years ago. But, as I had the opportunity to get to know people connected with the school, I grew to respect and appreciate it even more. I appreciate its mission and ideals, and the way it has gone about breathing life into those ideals. I want to encourage students to become more knowledgeable about how our system of government works. A knowledgeable citizen is a more effective one. A student would certainly benefit from that internship experience, even if only to become a good, quality, involved, informed citizen.
Q: You taught for a year in the Milwaukee Public Schools and were also an adjunct law professor at Hamline University. Do you still have a soft spot for the classroom?
A: My mother taught fifth grade for 20 years, so it’s in my blood. When teaching is done right, there is no greater job. I get tremendous enjoyment from the questioning, the exchanges with students who are curious about law and other topics. They say you never stop learning, and I always take things away from those classroom sessions.
Q: During your campaign, you were quoted as saying in one press conference, “I am not running to become a lawmaker. Lawmaking should be left to the legislative and executive branches.” In hindsight, do you believe that philosophy resonated with voters?
A: I think most informed voters never wanted to elect a judge as a “super-legislator.” Representatives are elected to two-year terms, so there is a finite period of accountability for the laws they make. If the people are not satisfied, the representatives are voted out. Now, enforcing those laws may not be politically popular, but judges are insulated by the length of their term (10 years). I see my role as being politically content-neutral. A good justice is like the umpire at a baseball game.
Q: Because you have emphasized neutrality, we would guess you take a dim view of judges appearing to help advance their favorite causes.
A: I am constantly amazed by the volume of words produced claiming there is no such thing as judicial activism. I disagree. A judge needs to be able to explain how he or she applied the plain language of the law to the facts of the case. Law should not be based on the opinion of whoever is temporary occupant of the bench. It is not about promoting ideas. It is about applying the law. The more judges do that, the more confident and satisfied the people will be, and the greater appreciation they will gain for how our system of government operates.