Kathy Pakes

Kathy Pakes joined the SPD as Legal Counsel in 2010. She holds an undergraduate degree in Soviet and Eastern European Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a law degree from Brandeis (University of Louisville).

After a brief stint in private civil practice Kathy began her career in criminal law as a staff attorney in the adult trial and appellate divisions of the Louisville-Jefferson County Public Defender in Kentucky. In 2000 she was elected Rusk County (Wisconsin) District Attorney and held that position through 2009.

She received the 2007 Meritorious Service Award by the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators and was named the 2009 Prosecutor of the Year by the Wisconsin District Attorneys’ Association. Kathy has served as a district committee member for the Office of Lawyer of Regulation and as a Governor’s appointment to the Wisconsin Judicial Council. She is a contributing editor to the WI Criminal Defense Manual and sits on the WisLap Committee for the State Bar.