Rudolph T. Randa

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Rudolph Thomas Randa (July 25, 1940 – September 5, 2016) was an American judge who served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin from 1992 to 2016, and was the court’s chief judge from 2002 to 2009. He spent his early career as a lawyer in Milwaukee and held several state court positions before becoming a federal judge.

Life and education
- Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Attended Riverside University High School in Milwaukee.
- Earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
- Received a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1966.
- Served as a Company Commander in the United States Army during the Vietnam War (1967–1969); earned the Bronze Star and other military honors.

Legal career before the federal bench
- Assistant City Attorney for Milwaukee (1970–1973); then Principal City Attorney (1973).
- Represented the City of Milwaukee in major civil rights cases that led to consent decrees in the fire and police departments.
- Elected Municipal Judge in Milwaukee (1975).
- Elected Circuit Judge for Milwaukee County (1979); briefly served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (District I) (1981–1982).
- Returned to the Circuit Court (1982–1992); also served on the 4th District Court of Appeals temporarily (1983–1984 and 1984–1985).

Federal judgeship
- Nominated by President George H. W. Bush on April 9, 1992, to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
- Confirmed by the Senate on August 11, 1992, and received his commission on August 12, 1992.
- Served as Chief Judge from 2002 to 2009.
- Announced in 2007 his intention to take senior status after a successor was confirmed, but did not do so during President Bush’s term; took senior status on February 5, 2016.
- His service ended with his death on September 5, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, due to brain cancer (astrocytoma). He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee.

Notable cases and contributions
- 1995: Ruled that the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act was unconstitutional in banning nonviolent, private abortion protests. The Seventh Circuit later reversed this ruling.
- 2001: In Jeanine B v. McCallum, ruled that foster children have enforceable federal rights to a speedy adoption under the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) and could sue states for delays.
- 2009: In Flying J. v. Van Hollen, ruled that Wisconsin’s minimum 9.18% gasoline markup was an illegal restraint of trade. The Seventh Circuit later overruled and upheld the state law in 2010.
- 2009–2010: Ordered changes in how medication was distributed to inmates at Taycheedah Correctional Institution to use licensed medical staff.
- 2010: Ruled that a bond indenture for Lake of the Torches Economic Development Corporation was void for an unapproved gaming contract, affecting the indenture’s waiver of sovereign immunity.
- 2014: Issued orders in a campaign finance case that blocked enforcement of a controversial part of Wisconsin’s campaign finance law; his injunctions were stayed and then extended pending further proceedings. The case involved Citizens for Responsible Government Advocates.

Rudolph T. Randa led a long career in public service, from local Milwaukee offices to the federal judiciary, and he left a lasting impact through his rulings on civil rights, campaign finance, and state regulation.