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Haakenson named court commissioner

JANESVILLE--A long-time legal advocate for Rock County children and disabled adults has stepped in to a role as the county’s newest family court commissioner.

Attorney Mike Haakenson this month took over the role of family court commissioner held for 13 years by Judge Barbara McCrory. McCrory was elected judge in April and took the oath of office last week.

A family court commissioner oversees hearings for divorce, child support and child custody cases, to name a few. During the election season, McCrory said she handled between 50 and 60 hearings monthly as a Rock County family court commissioner. She handled the same number in Jefferson County, she said.

Haakenson was one of six, including McCrory, who ran to replace retired Judge James Welker. During the campaign, Haakenson said courtrooms felt like home to him.

“I love being in court,” Haakenson said. “I love listening to people and evaluating what they have to say.”

Haakenson, 50, has worked as a partner at the Law Office of Haakenson and Haakenson in downtown Janesville. For 10 years, he has been one of several appointed guardians ad litem in the county.

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1988. He has served as a member of the Spotlight on Kids Board of Directors.

Haakenson will be one of two family court commissioners in Rock County. William Rentz is the other.