Wisconsin appeals judge Maxine Aldridge White to retire

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Wisconsin Court of Appeals District I Judge Maxine Aldridge White is retiring from the bench.

Carl Ashley, Chief Judge of Milwaukee County’s Circuit Court, lauded White’s advocacy for fair representation, adding she has championed initiatives that promote diversity within the legal system.

“Judge White’s commitment to justice has reshaped the legal landscape, leaving a legacy that extends beyond her tenure on the bench,” Ashley told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Her work has not only transformed lives but has also laid a foundation for a more inclusive future in the judiciary.”

Judge Pedro Colón said he would miss his appellate court colleague.

“From my first appearance in front of her when I started practicing law, to becoming my chief judge in the circuit court and a great colleague and friend in the court of appeals, Judge White’s work for the third branch has been impactful and always driven by justice,” he said.

Attempts to reach White were unsuccessful.

Gov. Tony Evers announced White’s retirement in a Dec. 30 statement. It becomes effective on April 3. Evers has begun accepting applications and will choose her replacement, with the new judge completing White’s term that ends July 31, 2027.

White, 74, is the eighth of 11 children born in Indianola, Mississippi, to James and Frankie White, who were sharecroppers on a cotton plantation.

White was the first person in her family to go to college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State University, a historically Black college in Mississippi. She went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

White graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1985, and worked as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin from 1985-1992.

In 1992, White became the first African American to serve as chief judge for the First Judicial District in Milwaukee when she was tapped by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson for the position.

In January 2020, White was appointed to Wisconsin’s Appellate Court by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat.

“Although she will be sorely missed, the inspiration she has provided will resonate for years to come, reminding us all of the profound difference one dedicated individual can make,” Ashley said. “Her legacy will continue to guide and inspire those she has touched.”