Healy to serve as interim replacement for McGinnis on Outagamie Circuit Court
Governor Tony Evers has appointed Whitney Healy to serve on the Outagamie County Circuit Court – Branch 1. She will replace Judge Mark McGinnis, following his resignation, which becomes effective in February. Healy’s term will run through July 2027.
“It is an incredible honor to be appointed by Gov. Evers to serve on the Outagamie County Circuit Court,” Healy said in the press release. “Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of representing individuals during some of life’s most challenging and traumatic moments. That work has shaped my deep respect for the responsibility of our justice system. With that perspective, I am committed to serving with compassion, fairness, integrity, and a profound appreciation for the values of our community.”
Healy is currently a civil litigation attorney at Habush Habush and Rottier in Appleton. Additionally, she serves on the Wisconsin Association for Justice Executive Committee and Board of Directors, as well as the Outagamie Bar Executive Committee.
She’s also been active in several professional organizations, including the Outagamie County Bar Association, the Wisconsin Association for Justice, and the Legal Association for Women.
Previously, Healy practiced family law, civil rights litigation, employment law, and professional malpractice law at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP in Madison.
Healy earned her law degree from Valparaiso Law School, where she graduated cum laude. While in law school, she served as the Law Review's publications editor and won several oral advocacy awards. She has earned accolades throughout her career, including six consecutive years as a Super Lawyer®: Rising Star and Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch.
The Circuit Court position became open when Judge Mark McGinnis decided to step down following a special prosecutor's criminal investigation.
The state investigated McGinnis for jailing a cement contractor over a private financial dispute in 2021 despite there being no charges filed against him. McGinnis resigned before his term ended and the special prosecutor decided not to file criminal charges.
McGinnis also came under scrutiny in 2018 for his punitive approach to truancy in the Appleton school district and for his alleged bullying of students in truancy court.
Wisconsin’s circuit court system comprises 69 circuits organized into nine geographical administrative districts. Circuit court judges are charged with hearing both civil and criminal cases. They are elected for six-year terms.
