David Prosser

David Prosser is a former Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, serving from 1998 to 2016. During his tenure, he was involved in several high-profile cases, including those related to Act 10, a contentious Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill signed into law by Governor Scott Walker in 2011. Prosser's judicial career was marked by his conservative approach to interpreting the Wisconsin Constitution and the United States Constitution, often aligning with the views of Justice Antonin Scalia and Justice Clarence Thomas. His decisions were frequently influenced by the principles of originalism and textualism, as seen in cases such as District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. City of Chicago.

● Early Life and Education

David Prosser was born in Chicago, Illinois, and later moved to Wisconsin, where he attended University of Wisconsin–Madison and graduated with a degree in History. He then went on to earn his law degree from University of Wisconsin Law School, where he was a member of the Wisconsin Law Review. After completing his education, Prosser worked as a prosecutor in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, and later served as a district attorney in Outagamie County and Brown County, Wisconsin. His experience as a prosecutor was influenced by the work of United States Attorney General Edwin Meese and the National District Attorneys Association. Prosser's early career was also shaped by his involvement with the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association and the National Association of Prosecutors.

● Career

Before being elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Prosser served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1979 to 1996, representing the 5th Assembly District. During his time in the assembly, he was a member of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Committee on Judiciary, where he worked alongside Representative Scott Jensen and Senator Mike Ellis. Prosser's legislative career was marked by his support for tax reform and his opposition to abortion, as seen in his votes on Wisconsin Act 310 and Wisconsin Act 317. His experience in the assembly was influenced by the leadership of Speaker of the Assembly Tom Loftus and Senate Majority Leader Adrian P. Nothnagel.

● Judicial Service

Prosser was first elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1998 and was re-elected in 2001 and 2011. During his tenure, he served as the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 1998 to 2001 and was a member of the National Conference of Chief Justices. Prosser's judicial philosophy was influenced by the work of Justice William Rehnquist and the Federalist Society. His decisions were often cited by other courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Prosser's judicial service was also recognized by the American Bar Association and the National Center for State Courts.

● Notable Cases

One of the most notable cases decided by Prosser during his time on the court was Koch v. Clarke, which involved a challenge to the Wisconsin Voter ID Law. Prosser wrote the majority opinion, upholding the constitutionality of the law, which was later affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Another significant case was Owens v. Town of Harrison, which dealt with the issue of eminent domain and the Takings Clause of the United States Constitution. Prosser's opinion in this case was influenced by the decisions of Justice John Paul Stevens and Justice Stephen Breyer in Kelo v. City of New London. Prosser also participated in the decision of State ex rel. Ozanne v. Fitzgerald, which involved a challenge to the Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill and the collective bargaining rights of public sector unions.

● Personal Life

Prosser is a member of the Republican Party and has been involved in various conservative organizations, including the Federalist Society and the National Rifle Association. He has also been a strong supporter of gun rights and has spoken at events hosted by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Prosser's personal life has been influenced by his relationships with other notable figures, including Governor Tommy Thompson and Senator Ron Johnson. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the Wisconsin legal community by the Wisconsin Bar Association and the Marquette University Law School.

Category:American judges