Nominated 2017. W.M. “Mike” McMonigal graduated from Berlin High School in 1964. He attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1968, going on to get a Juris Doctorate from Marquette’s Law School in 1971.
Returning to Berlin he joined his father in his law practice here. In 1975 he became the Family Court Commissioner for Green Lake County, a position he held until 1992. In that year he was appointed Circuit Court judge for Green Lake County by Governor Thompson. He was reelected each term after until he retired in 2011.
While pursuing his busy law practice, Mike was asked to sit on the Berlin Hospital Association Board of Directors in 1972. Three years later he was elected Chairman of the Board and served in that capacity until 1985. He was only 28 years old at the time. During this time the hospital expanded their facility, their services and equipment.
Berlin’s growth was always important to him so he also served as a director for the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Berlin Industrial Development Corporation.
One of his successes was promoting a referendum to reduce the City Council to a six person Council. That referendum passed in 1988. In 1991 he chaired a committee looking into upgrading Highway 116/County Trunk X to connect directly with U.S. Highway 41. With hard work, in 1995 new State Highway 91 was dedicated.
During the early 1990’s a Housing Task Force was appointed with Judge McMonigal as chairman. Through the efforts of this committee, major changes to housing initiatives and special assessments were made. Ten years later this committee was reactivated and Judge McMonigal again served as chairman.
During this time and into the present Judge McMonigal has been very involved in the Eureka Locks project and other Fox River promotions adding his expertise and guidance, giving back to the community where three generations of his family have lived.
The Judge shares these words: “Education, regardless of career chosen, remains the best guarantee for a successful life.”