Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Pedro Colón, who was a 40 Under 40 winner in 1999, is the first Hispanic judge to serve on an appellate court in Wisconsin.
Colón served on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court starting in 2010 and was elected three additional times before being appointed to the District 1 Court of Appeals by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers in June 2023. Prior to his service on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Colón was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1998, where he represented the 8th District until 2010. He was the first Latino elected to the state Legislature.
Colón was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in Milwaukee and attended Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
• What are you doing professionally these days? “In June 2023, I was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Tony Evers and took the office on Nov. 20, 2023. Since then I have been learning my new role and working through the cases that are before the court and campaigning for the office in the upcoming election in April 2024. I am also serving on the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s board as we transition to a new president for the organization and serving as a member of Cristo Rey High School’s board of directors."
• Most meaningful accomplishment during your business career? "Every role gives you a new opportunity to learn and create new opportunities and in my case, those roles have been very varied. Serving on the Joint Finance Committee in the Legislature for three terms was an invaluable accomplishment in that I learned how and why our state works and how Wisconsin prioritized all those needs and wants to maintain our competitive edge among all the states in the union.
"I was particularly proud of my advocacy for immigrants, students and regional projects that maintained our economic competitiveness, including funding for the School of Engineering at Marquette University, the Sixth Street Viaduct, the Marquette Interchange renovation project, robust budgets for the University of Wisconsin and technical school systems and passing legislation to ensure that our correctional system maintained its rehabilitative focus.
"The pandemic hit our court system very hard as it did all organizations. However, under the steady leadership of all involved, we were able to remain open and safe for lawyers and litigants and ultimately bring our backlog in the courts to a workable one. I was proud that during my tenure as presiding judge in the civil division, we were able to completely resolve the backlog in large claims and make great progress in our backlog in the small claims calendar.
"Ultimately, being entrusted to the court of appeals judgeship by the governor and his selection committee, at least in my mind, validates all of the hard work that went on before I got the appointment, which now represents my most meaningful accomplishment."
• One important lesson you have learned since you were a 40 Under 40 winner? "Robust substantive understanding, empathy for the affected, and the humility to undertake a course of action will, in most circumstances, lead to the right decision. However, none of those can be effectively achieved without intentional and active listening. Listen, listen and listen."
• How important is it to recognize Milwaukee's up-and-coming young professionals? "No city, from Rome to Racine, can thrive unless the young minds and bodies are willing to engage. At 40 Under 40, you can see who is truly committed and shows the talent and engagement to get not only the individual organizations they serve where they want to be, but also understands that unless the whole ecosystem is thriving, their goals are unlikely to have the positive impact we all want to have."
• Best leadership advice you have ever received? "My boxing coach and eternal friend at the United Community Center, Israel 'Shorty' Acosta, told me that daily and absolute preparation will get you to the battle. However, on that day you must go in the ring and execute. This is why I love elective office and tennis. Boxing hurts, especially when you are a big target with slow hands."
• What advice would you give the 2024 class of 40 Under 40? "You will usually be better professionally and personally with what you love. Do what you love."
