About Paul Dedinsky

A life of service to Wisconsin's justice system

Background

Paul Dedinsky was born and raised in Milwaukee, the youngest of four children. His parents instilled a deep sense of faithful service — his mother Mary Alice worked for nearly 35 years as an educator at Milwaukee Area Technical College, and his father Henry served 42 years with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Paul's two brothers studied medicine, and his sister studied journalism. Paul remains most proud of his parents' faith-filled commitment, their love for others in the community, and their many years of dedicated public service.

Paul is married to Lisa, who earned her degree in Speech Pathology from Marquette University and her master's from Purdue University. Lisa is a cancer survivor. They have three children: Natalia, Charlie, and Abby.

Paul and Lisa Dedinsky with their children Natalia, Charlie, and Abby

“If a person can experience injustice, then a person can also experience justice.”

— Paul Dedinsky
Education

Academic Background

2012 Ph.D., School of Education & Leadership — Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee
1993 J.D. — University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School
1989 B.A. — Creighton University, Omaha, NE
1985 Marquette University High School, Milwaukee
Career

Legal Career

2019 – 2020

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge

Served at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center (Children's Court), presiding over hundreds of children's court cases.

2017 – 2019

Chief Legal Counsel — WI DATCP

Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Consumer protection, administrative rule-making, ethics counsel and trainer for the agency.

1997 – 2017

Assistant District Attorney — Milwaukee County

Twenty years as a prosecutor. Reviewed thousands of investigations, charged criminal and civil matters, litigated over 50 jury trials and 100 court trials. Director of the DA's Domestic Violence Unit (2001–2007). Sensitive Crimes prosecutor. Family Drug Treatment Court team captain. Authored the 575-page Wisconsin Domestic Violence Prosecution Manual.

1993 – 1997

Private Practice

Criminal defense, appellate, civil, and family law. Represented clients in approximately 250 criminal matters.

Community Impact

Restorative Justice & Education

From 2008 to 2014, Paul partnered with dedicated educators and school social workers to introduce and implement restorative justice practices within Milwaukee Public Schools. Working hand in hand with educators and students, their teams engaged youth to become active leaders in preventing violence, promoting peace, and making their schools better places.

The programming reached thousands of teachers, administrators, and students at over 50 school sites, targeting community building, repairing harm, and academic curriculum. Paul's passion for this work led to his doctoral studies and dissertation on restorative justice practices.

Paul also served as an adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School and Cardinal Stritch University, and as a formation presenter for Catholic school teachers throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Service

Civic & Volunteer Involvement

Faith & Community

Parish lector, pastoral council member, teacher of Christian formation. Longtime involvement with the Schoenstatt International Province & Retreat Center.

St. Thomas More Society

Board of Directors, 2013–2019. Co-organized the annual Youth Law Day at Marquette University Law School, 2010–2018.

SOFA, Inc.

Board member supporting the “Jump for Archie” anti-opiate addiction event, in memory of Archie Badura.

Earlier Service

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Milwaukee. St. Catherine's Residence for Women committee member. St. Aemilian's Pre-School board member.