Judge Linda Van De Water (Retired) Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge
An effective Mediator needs to have subject-matter knowledge, superior listening skills and a deep understanding of both creative and advanced problem solving techniques.
Judge Linda Van De Water served as a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge for 12 years. She presided in all four divisions: Juvenile, Criminal, Family & Civil. She has presided over multiple jury and court trials, pleas and sentencings, motion hearings and numerous other court proceedings. Prior to becoming a Circuit Court Judge, Linda spent 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting hundreds of cases for Waukesha County. Linda also served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Department of Corrections handling probation and parole revocation hearings for the State of Wisconsin and served as an enforcement attorney for the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing where she ensured compliance of many regulated businesses.
A Passion For Helping Others
Her years on the bench in all areas of the law, combined with her vast courtroom experience and Mediation Certification from Northwestern University provide Judge Linda Van De Water with the right balance of knowledge, people skills and training to settle even the most complex or multi-party disputes. Any area of conflict, large or small can be resolved at CCMA faster, cheaper and more effectively allowing both sides to reach a mutually agreeable solution without court intervention. Litigation is costly, time consuming and may take years to complete with little input into the outcome of your case.
Detailed Education and Experience
April 2003 – August 2015 (12 years 5 months)Waukesha, Wisconsin
On April 1, 2003 I was elected to the State of Wisconsin, Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 10. Waukesha County has 12 general jurisdiction courts divided into 4 distinct legal divisions: Juvenile, Family, Criminal and Civil. (6 year term). I began my judicial career in the Juvenile Division where as the Presiding Judge I was responsible for a wide variety of cases including children in need of protection and services, delinquent or uncontrollable juveniles, termination of parental rights, juvenile guardianship cases, adult mental committments and adoptions. I spent three years in the Juvenile division before rotating to the criminal bench.
In 2006 I rotated to the Criminal Division and spent the next 4 years presiding over traffic, ordinance violations, criminal misdemeanor and felony cases. I was Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division which consisted of 5 criminal courts. As a criminal judge I heard numerous jury and court trials, a whole variety of motions, pleas and sentencings and various other hearings and special proceedings.
I was re-elected in 2009 to a second 6 year term as Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge, Branch 10.
In 2010 I rotated to the Family Division where 3 judges are responsible for all of the divorce, legal separation and paternity cases in Waukesha County. We preside over all of the court trials, motions, stipulated divorces and numerous post-judgment motion hearings. As Presiding Judge of the division I worked closely with Waukesha County’s Family Court Services Division and court appointed Guardian ad Litems to determine appropriate custody and placement decisions that are in the “Best Interest” of the child.
In August of 2014 after 4 years on the family bench, I rotated to the Civil Division where I preside over a wide variety of cases including small claims, injunctions, evictions, foreclosures, money judgments, personal injury and othe various civil disputes and De Novo Reviews.
State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing
2002 – 2003 (1 year)Madison, Wisconsin
I was responsible for enforcing all of the numerous state and administrative regulations and licensing requirements for all of the various business entities and professions in the State of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Division of Hearings and Appeals
2000 – 2002 (2 years)Madison, Wisconsin
I worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Probation and Parole Unit. I traveled the State of Wisconsin to all of the various prisons, jails and correctional facilitiies to conduct court hearings and render decisions on whether or not to revoke an inmate’s probation or parole supervision. Our decisions were subject to administrative appeal to the Division Administrator and further appealable to the circuit court as a De Novo hearing.
Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office
1988 – 1998 (10 years)Waukesha, Wisconsin
As an Assistant District Attorney for Waukesha County, I prosecuted a wide variety of cases from traffic forfeitures, criminal misdemeanors and felonies. I successfully handled numerous jury trials, court trials and contested motions.
Memberships & Associations
What Mediation Clients Say…
Great helping us through the process!
Ben Braydon
Ben Braydon
We had such a pleasant experience.
Erin Delaney
Erin Delaney
Divorce made easier and a whole lot cheaper
Sarah
Sarah
Divorce Mediation
Anonymous
Anonymous
Very helpful throughout our divorce process.
Kelly
Kelly
Got us our BEST CASE SCENARIO!
Her fees were beyond reasonable and she was great to deal with. Hopefully we never are in this situation again but if needed we have her number on speed dial!
I couldn't recommend her more!
Alyssa
Alyssa
Done in a day!
Anonymous
Anonymous
Phenomenal!
Anonymous
Anonymous
Easy Divorce Mediation
Anonymous
Anonymous
Patient, Understanding and Thorough
Anonymous
Anonymous
Won’t use anyone else!
Anonymous
Anonymous
Avoided going to court and settled a nasty real estate mess!
John
John
Divorce is not easy but Linda makes the process bearable.
Elizabeth Ledbetter
Elizabeth Ledbetter
Thank you so much for your help, and time.
Brenda Travers
Brenda Travers
Judge Linda Van De Water was AMAZING
michelle niezgoda
michelle niezgoda
We would highly recommend CCMA Solutions
James A.
James A.
Judge Linda Van De Water was great
Amy Grund
Amy Grund
Linda was great to work with!
Carol Van Swol
Carol Van Swol
My wife and I highly recommend Judge Linda
Michael Huber
Michael Huber
I will recommend Judge Van De Water to others
Robert Flessas
Robert Flessas
We were able to complete the paperwork in an amicable manner,
Sheila Nally
Sheila Nally
Linda is a no-nonsense mediator who knows her stuff.
Lisa Shimon
Lisa Shimon
Linda was thoughtful and kind
Li r
Li r
We had such a pleasant experience
erin delaney
erin delaney
Linda was very helpful and easy to work with
Amber
Amber
Excellent at facilitating communication!
Sara Dahmen
Sara Dahmen
Linda is wonderful to work with!
Sue M
Sue M
Linda was great helping us through the process!
Ben Braydon
Ben Braydon
Professional, thorough, and, very personable
Debbie Grieb
Debbie Grieb
Linda is an excellent mediator
Nick Ostrowski
Nick Ostrowski
Linda is very smart, knowledgeable, and straightforward
May M
May M
I HIGHLY recommend mediation
Jenna Ostrowski
Jenna Ostrowski
Judge Linda was awesome.
John Schaub
John Schaub
Linda was a great mediator through our divorce process
Kelly
Kelly
I have the utmost respect for Judge Van De Water
Maggie's Mom
Maggie's Mom
I couldn’t recommend her more!
alyssa lenheim
alyssa lenheim
Linda makes this the best possible experience
Stacy Forsyth
Stacy Forsyth
Linda was great to work with
Dana Reed
Dana Reed
Excellent mediator
Leslie Chase
Leslie Chase
I highly recommend Judge Linda
Angie Frindell
Angie Frindell
Judge Linda was very good
K S K
K S K
I’m so glad we hired Linda instead of 2 attorneys!
Linda is wonderful to work with! She brings a tremendous amount of value to the table with her experience and ensures a fair & reasonable approach from both sides. She is able to remain impartial, understand both sides of negotiations and aid both parties in protection as well, resulting in an amicable resolution. She can infuse levity into difficult circumstances. A huge money saver as well!! I'm so glad we hired Linda instead of 2 attorneys!
Sue M.
Sue M.
I HIGHLY recommend mediation
Jenna Ostrowski
Jenna Ostrowski
Judge Linda was awesome
John Schaub
John Schaub
Above and beyond what is expected.
Nick Ostrowski
Nick Ostrowski
Good at clarifying complex & confusing situations.
K S K
K S K
Fair, honest and practical.
Leslie Chase
Leslie Chase
I have the utmost respect for Judge Van De Water.
She is a good read of people's character and therefore knows what style to use in order to attain solutions that are acceptable to both parties.
Without Judge Van De Water's expertise, I am certain my former spouse and I would have continued to go around in circles trying to figure out how to disentangle our lives from each other.
I have the utmost respect for Judge Van De Water and highly recommend her services/expertise to anyone who needs mediation.
Karen
Karen
She is a God send.
Angie Frindell
Angie Frindell