Madison Attorney Applies For Vacant State Supreme Court Seat

MADISON, Wis., Oct. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Claude Covelli, an attorney at the law firm of Boardman & Clark LLP, Madison, announced Monday that he has applied with the Wisconsin Governor's office for the open Supreme Court seat left vacant due to the recent death of Justice Patrick Crooks.

"I have tremendous respect for the legacy of Justice Crooks. At a time like this I think it is important to step up and insure a nonpartisan presence on our state's highest court.  I truly feel a personal obligation to my home state and to the law."

Covelli, 68, is a Racine native and UW-Madison Law School graduate. He earned his undergraduate degree at Carroll College (now University) where he was also an Honorable Mention All -American Division III football player.

"Football taught me success is not about headlines.  It's about persistent hard work, mental toughness and an unremitting belief you can meet any challenge.  This is how I approach life.  This is how I will, if given the opportunity, meet challenges on the Court."

A Wisconsin native who graduated from Racine Horlick High School in 1965, Covelli has had cases in 66 of Wisconsin's 72 counties. In addition Covelli has handled numerous appeals in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the United States Court of Appeals. Covelli has also argued before the highest court in the land, the United States Supreme Court. 

Covelli thinks his motives for applying for the State Supreme Court seat are straightforward: "I am a native son of Wisconsin, and a very seasoned attorney.  Most importantly I am truly nonpartisan, willing and ready to work with anyone and everyone for the benefit of our state and the law. Public confidence in the Court's independence has been shaken.  I neither have, nor ever will have, a political agenda."

Covelli's national honors include being named a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and an Advocate in The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) where he currently serves as President of the Wisconsin Chapter.  Covelli is also recognized by the national peer review publication Best Lawyers in America and was named "Advocate of the Year" in 2015 by the Wisconsin Defense Counsel, a statewide organization of 450 attorneys dedicated to the defense of Wisconsin citizens, business, and the maintenance of an equitable civil justice system.

Covelli lives in Madison with Jt, his wife of 31 years. They have three children and six grandchildren.

To assure transparency Covelli has made his application for the State Supreme Court seat available as an attachment to this press release.

CONTACT: Claude Covelli 608-234-2204 or 608-283-1782 [email protected]

PDF - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/274043-CJC-JUDICIAL-APPLICATION.pdf

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151005/274028

SOURCE Claude Covelli