Advertisement

Ritter takes on role as city's first municipal attorney

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Chelsey Ritter, of Prairie du Chien, is Prairie du Chien’s first municipal attorney. Her first day in court will be Friday, Aug. 7. (Photo submitted)

By Caitlin Bittner

Recently, Prairie du Chien’s veteran city attorney Tom Peterson decided that it was time for him to step down. Because his boots were too big for one person to fill, the city of Prairie du Chien decided to hire Lara Czajkowski Higgins to take over the position of city attorney, and create the title of municipal attorney for Chelsey Ritter.

Ritter, a 2006 graduate of Prairie du Chien High School, attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She graduated in 2010, with a bachelor of science in social work. Afterward, she went to Marquette University Law School, graduating in May of 2014.

As a native of Prairie du Chien, Ritter decided that she wanted to return to her roots. “I’ve lived in Prairie my whole life. It’s exciting to come back,” said Ritter.

As the municipal attorney, Ritter explained that she will be the prosecutor for the cases brought before Judge Daniel Key and the municipal court. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a new experience. I thought it’d be interesting to be a prosecutor.”

With her private practice, Ritter noted that most of her cases fall along a very broad spectrum. “I do a little bit of everything. I just got into bankruptcy law. I do some family law and some criminal defense,” she said.

Now, as a prosecutor, Ritter plans to have her doors open to the public. Her new office will be located downtown Prairie du Chien. She will be office-sharing with Rebecca Dobbs Bush’s law firm. “I’ll be in before September,” added Ritter.

If people have questions regarding their municipal cases, Ritter said she was open to helping them. Though her contract with the city began on Saturday, Aug. 1, Ritter noted that she has received phone calls already.

As her role is new, both to the city and to her, Ritter said she is sure there will be a few obstacles. “Just being new and not having the experience. For now, it’s about learning the ropes and getting acquainted with people like the city police.”

Ritter’s first official day in court will be Friday, Aug. 7.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet