The most challenging part of my job is sentencing people in criminal cases. It’s an incredible responsibility because you can see clearly how it affects not just the individual who is before you as a defendant, but also the community and the victims of crime.


You were appointed to the federal bench and became the first African-American federal judge in the state. How does it feel to be a trailblazer? At the time of my appointment to the bankruptcy court in 1977, it hit me that I was the seventh African- American in U.S. history to serve as a bankruptcy judge. It was disappoint- ing that I was, and still am, the only African-American who has served as a judge in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Wisconsin and I remain the only African-American who has served as an Article III U.S. district judge in Wisconsin. [Tose known as Article III judges exercise what Article III of the Constitution calls “the judicial power of the United States.”] At the same time, I feel that my ongoing work as a federal judge will inspire others, particularly minorities and women, to seek judgeships and pro- mote confidence in the courts.


In a 7th Circuit Bar Association


E-Mentoring video, you give aspiring lawyers advice about


MCCA.COM


the importance of building networks, particularly beyond the workplace. Any tips on how to accomplish this? What have you done throughout your own career? I have encouraged young lawyers to get involved in legal organizations and community groups. For example, I joined the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, and later sought membership on its board of direc- tors. Eventually, I became the first African-American president of the conference. In addition, I have served on the board of Justice at Stake, a national organization that works to ensure judicial independence and fair, impartial courts. I have also become active in the American Bar Association (ABA). When I joined the ABA, there had been no bankruptcy or magistrate judges who were part of its National Conference of Federal Trial Judges, and I helped open that door. Tese efforts facilitated meet- ings with bar leaders, members of the business community, U.S. senators, congressmen and policymakers who


were influential in my appointment as a district judge. By meeting and networking with such people, young lawyers can pave the way for them- selves and others.


What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The most rewarding? Te most challenging part of my job is sentencing people in criminal cases. It’s an incredible responsibility because you can see clearly how it affects not just the individual who is before you as a defendant, but also the commu- nity and the victims of crime. On the other hand, one of the most rewarding things is realizing that I have had an impact on my community and continue to have an impact that goes well beyond the closure of a particular case. One thing that I hope I have accomplished is to instill greater confidence in the independence of the judiciary and access to the courts as a means of resolving disputes and righting legal wrongs.


Te Honorable Charles Clevert has served as a federal district judge in the Eastern District of Wisconsin since 1996. Before that, he served for 18 years as a bankruptcy judge, and before that as an assistant district attorney and assistant U.S. attor- ney. Judge Clevert is a member of the board of directors of Justice at Stake and represents the Milwaukee Bar Association’s (ABA) House of Delegates. He has also chaired the ABA’s National Conference of Federal Trial Judges and served on the board of the American Judicature Society. He has also been active with the Judicial Conference of the United States and the Federal Judicial Center. Judge Clevert was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton. D&B


Laurie Adamson is a freelance writer based in Maryland. She can be contacted at laurie.ed.adamson@gmail.com.


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