Thomas Lister will become Jackson County's new circuit court judge.

Gov. James Doyle announced Monday that Lister, 60, a Black River Falls attorney, will succeed Judge Gerald Laabs.

Judge-elect Eric Stutz, who ran unopposed for the position in April, died of cancer this spring. Laabs retires Aug. 1. Lister's term will end July 31, 2009.

"I will work as hard as I can to be the best judge that I can be," Lister told the Jackson County Chronicle Tuesday morning. Lister said he will spend a few weeks mentoring with other judges in the district and will attend a week-long orientation program for new judges. He expects to take the bench and start hearing cases about Sept. 2. Until then the cases in Jackson County will likely be heard by reserve judges.

Other candidates for the post were attorneys James Ritland of Black River Falls, Ellen Healey, of Fitchburg, and Michelle Cleveland of Black River Falls.

"Thomas Lister is a respected member of his community," Doyle said. "His broad legal experience and commitment to fairness will be an asset to Jackson County."

Lister and Stutz were partners from 1973 through 1983. Lister formed his own law firm in 1983, specializing in personal injury cases and contractual disputes. He was Jackson County District Attorney from 1975 to 1980 and also served as the county's corporation counsel from 1975-1980.

Lister said he interviewed with Doyle on Thursday after the Judicial Advisory Commission ranked the candidates for the governor. Lister said the discussion was very informal and lasted about 20 minutes. The main question Doyle asked was why Lister wanted to be judge.

"I told him it was something I had always wanted to do," Lister said. "I'm somewhat tired of fighting these contested cases with insurances companies. I'm tired of being a player and wanted to be a referee."

Lister said existing cases in his private practice will be handed over to other attorneys with the consent of his clients and with his advice.

Lister said he supports the establishment of a drug and alcohol court and believes that a judge must address societal needs and problems, which he said is the most important part of the job.

"It's important for the judge to treat the community more as family and try to correct things so they are not repeated," Lister said. "Jackson County, disproportionably, has a big alcohol problem. Better than 80 percent of the criminal conduct is alcohol-related. We have to see what we can do about that."

Lister said he also looks forward to working with the Ho-Chunk Nation and its Tribal Court system as it continues to mature. He also wants to help others in the legal profession.

"As lawyers come through your court, you get a chance to share some of your knowledge with them and help them along," Lister said. "I'm constantly being surprised by all the things I didn't know as an attorney and much of that comes with your interaction with the court."

Lister has a long involvement with the community, including being chairman of the administrative council of the United Methodist Church, director at Lunda Construction Co., director of Skyline Golf Club, co-founder of the Black River Falls Area Foundation on which he has served as trustee, a Rotary member and he is an inventor and U.S. patent holder.

Lister has served as the Chairman of the Southern Wisconsin Council on Criminal Justice, on the Wisconsin Council on Criminal Justice, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources appointee to the Forest Advisory Council, and Jackson County Court Commissioner.

Lister and his wife, Sally, have two children, Matthew and Joshua.