The Wisconsin Supreme Court begins its fall session today with a history-making new justice: Louis Butler, the first black member of the court in state history.

For Butler, the start of the fall session comes only one week after being sworn in at the state Capitol Aug. 25. Gov. Jim Doyle appointed him to the court Aug. 18 to fill the empty seat of former Justice Diane Sykes. She was appointed to the United States 7th Circuit Court of Appeals by President George W. Bush.

At the swearing-in ceremony, former state Justice William Bablitch commented on the new perspective Butler brings to the seven-member court.

“It’s been said justice is too important to leave only to trial judges,” Bablitch said. “Today I add justice is too important to leave only to seven, middle- to upper-class white [judges].”

Doyle spoke highly of Butler’s credentials and commitment to public service.

“For him, equal justice under law is not just a slogan but will continue to be his life’s work,” Doyle said.

Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who made history herself when she became the state’s first female justice in 1976, said Doyle’s appointment of Butler was an excellent choice from an “excellent group of candidates.”

After taking the official oath from Abrahamson, Butler spoke about his lack of opportunities growing up in gang-riddled section of Chicago. He mentioned a high-school guidance counselor who thought Butler’s dream of going to the University of Wisconsin was nothing more than a “dream.”

Butler said he got his revenge when he was admitted to the UW Law School following an undergraduate career at Lawrence University in Appleton.

Butler said he was well aware of the role he plays as the state’s first black justice. He stressed how important affirmative action is in ensuring minority children have the opportunity to go to college.

Considered a liberal-leaning judge, Butler is the first justice appointed by a Democratic governor since Abrahamson’s appointment 28 years ago.

UW political science professor Charles Franklin feels Butler will inject a more liberal perspective to the court.

“It’s a non-partisan court, but let’s not kid ourselves,” Franklin said. “You have a Democrat replacing a Republican … the court will move more towards an even balance.”

Butler previously served as a Milwaukee Municipal Court judge and a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge.

His appointment ensures the Supreme Court includes a justice from the Milwaukee area.

Doyle said in his appointment this was important in making certain the diversity of Wisconsin is fully represented on the court.

Franklin said it seems odd that a black justice had never served on the Supreme Court but said the diversity Butler brings, both socially and geographically, is important mostly in a symbolic sense.

“Judges rarely make decisions based on where they are from, but on what is right and just,” Franklin said. “Still, symbolically it seems good for the state’s most populous area to be represented. And symbolically, the presence of an African-American is an important symbol of diversity.”