Stenz to be sworn in Friday

Melissa Theisen - Northwoods Media

Former Forest County District Attorney Leon D. Stenz will be formally sworn in as the Circuit Court Judge for Forest and Florence Counties on Friday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Courthouse in Crandon. Stenz upset former Forest and Florence County judge Robert Kennedy Jr. in a highly contested April 1, 2008 election.

Chuck Simono was sworn in as the new Forest County District Attorney Aug. 1, after being appointed by Governor Doyle to fill the vacant position. On that same day, Stenz was informally sworn in as judge in Marathon County by Judge Greg Grau. Before assuming the role of circuit court judge in Forest and Florence counties in an “official” capacity, Stenz was required to undergo judicial training and schooling for two weeks. Reserve judge Robert Kinney sat on cases in Forest and Florence counties during that time.

Now that he has completed his judicial training, an hour long investiture ceremony is planned whereby the Honorable Leon D. Stenz will ceremoniously don his black robe. The investiture will take place in the third floor courtroom at the Forest County Courthouse located in Crandon.

Following the investiture, a social will take place in the Forest County boardroom on the first floor. This investiture is open to the public.

Before becoming District Attorney in Forest County and now a judge in Forest and Florence counties, Stenz served as a lawyer in Forest County, had experience working as court commissioner and served on the Board of Directors for Judicare. He graduated from law school at Marquette University in 1983.

Stenz will serve a six year term.