Early Life
My family has deep roots in the Racine community and a large extended family here. I was born in Milwaukee and lived in Boston until moving to Racine when I was 13 years old.
My father received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Marquette University and his PhD from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He worked at SC Johnson and later as a Professor of Life Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
My mother worked as a secretary for Racine Unified School District for many years and is well known in the I graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Racine. During high school, I was captain of the Tennis team and earned my Eagle Scout ranking from the Boy Scouts. IN 1972 I graduated from Regis University in Denver, and later received a Law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1974. |
 |
Family
I married a former High School classmate, Jana Jamieson in 1980, and we are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year. Jana was born in Racine to Dr. John and Yvonne Jamieson and currently teaches French at the high school level. Jana and I have two children, Suzanne and Alexei. Suzanne graduated from Syracuse University, is married to Racine native Brian Selmo and lives in California. Alexei is a recent graduate of Marquette University Law School.
Professional Career
After graduating from Law School in 1973, I served as law clerk to Justice L.A. Smith, Jr. of the Mississippi Supreme Court. I moved back to Racine in 1974 and worked as an associate for the law firm of Schoone, McManus & Hanson, S.C. In 1979, Martin Hanson and I left that firm to create our own law firm, Hanson & Gasiorkiewicz, S.C. Since Martin's death in 1995, I have practiced as the sole practitioner of the firm.
During the past 36 years, I have represented individuals and their families, as well as public and private corporations. I have also represented those unable to afford an attorney and who cannot afford access to the court system.
I have judicial experience having served as a Municipal Judge for the Village of Wind Point and having been appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to judge trials on ethical violations brought against lawyers.
Currently I serve as Court Commissioner for Racine County, handling criminal initial appearances, preliminary hearings and adjudicating probable cause findings.
I am a certified trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and have appeared in all levels of Wisconsin Courts, including Municipal Court, Court of Appeals and Wisconsin Supreme Court. I have represented clients and appeared in courts in eleven states. I am admitted to practice in all federal courts and have been admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
I have received numerous honors and ratings within my profession which are listed separately within this website and you may access them by clicking on the "Qualifications" banner.
Community Involvement
Since High School I have been involved in the Racine community. During High School and undergraduate school, I taught tennis to children in Racine. For the past ten years, I have been a sponsor of the annual "Racine on the Lake" tennis tournament. I have also sponsored numerous floats in the annual Racine Fourth of July parade.
When my children were growing up, I coached RASA soccer and was a Boy Scout den leader. Also, I was active at their school, serving on their school's fundraising and sports committees.
Currently I am a board member of the Racine Zoo and also serve as Vice Chair of Resources Development on its Executive Board. I am also a member of the United Way of Racine County annual drive committee.
Why I'm Running for Circuit Court Judge
Much of my time during the 35 years in which I have practiced law has been spent in the courtroom, and through many court appearances, I have developed a strong respect for and interest in the position of judge. For years I have been encouraged by lawyers, judges and citizens of Racine to run for the judiciary. I have refused to run against an incumbent judge whom I felt was doing an honorable job. Now, however, there is an open seat and I would like to fill that seat in a competent manner.
I believe I am the most qualified candidate to serve as circuit court judge. My courage of independence, lack of indebtedness to special interest groups or political organizations and my peer-recognized broad based knowledge of the law make me uniquely qualified to oversee the administration of justice in Racine County.