Rochelle Johnson-Bent

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Rochelle Johnson-Bent

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 2, 2024

Education

Law

University of Wisconsin Law School

Personal

Birthplace

Wisconsin

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Rochelle Johnson-Bent ran for election for the Branch 43 judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin. She lost in the general election on April 2, 2024.

Johnson-Bent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rochelle Johnson-Bent was born in Wisconsin. She earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Her career experience includes working as an attorney at Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Family Court Division and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. She has been affiliated with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc and Leander J. Foley, Jr. Society of Family Lawyers.

Elections

2024

See also: Municipal elections in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (2024)

General election

General election for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 43

Marisabel Cabrera defeated Rochelle Johnson-Bent in the general election for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 43 on April 2, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Marisabel Cabrera (Nonpartisan)	51.0	61,625
		Rochelle Johnson-Bent (Nonpartisan)	48.3	58,366
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	861

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 120,852
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Marisabel Cabrera and Rochelle Johnson-Bent advanced from the primary for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 43.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Johnson-Bent in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rochelle Johnson-Bent completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Johnson-Bent's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Rochelle N. Johnson-Bent is a seasoned legal professional from Milwaukee, WI known for her multifaceted expertise and community engagement. With a career that spans over a decade, Rochelle has distinguished herself in various legal capacities, from family court to risk management, while also dedicating herself to impactful community initiatives. Rochelle N. Johnson-Bent has showcased a diverse legal expertise throughout her career. She's delved into family law, notably representing the best interests of minors and mentally incapacitated clients in family court and civil injunction matters, such as custody, placement, and child support and restraining orders. Her tenure at organizations like Milwaukee Public Schools and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee underscored her proficiency in compliance, risk management, and contractual law. Additionally, her positions at Laster & Associates, LLC, and the Law Office of Tarena W. Franklin expanded her portfolio to include criminal, civil, small claims, and administrative hearing cases. Rochelle's breadth of experience demonstrates a deep understanding of multiple fac

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Rochelle is a mom. Being a mother equips her with unique insights and compassion, essential for a judiciary role. Parenting hones skills like patience, fairness, and the ability to listen—qualities that mirror those needed for sound judicial judgment. Rochelle's experience in balancing the immediate needs of her children with long-term goals mirrors the judicial responsibility of considering the immediate impact of decisions while upholding the law. Her nurturing yet decisive nature ensures that she approaches each case with empathy and integrity, aiming for resolutions that serve justice and promote the community's well-being. Rochelle's motherhood journey underscores her commitment to fairness, making her a distinguished candidate.
• Rochelle has the variety. Her multifaceted experience across various areas of law positions her as an ideal candidate. Her comprehensive background, from family law to risk management, equips her with a broad understanding of legal complexities & the nuances of justice. This diverse expertise ensures she can approach cases with a well-rounded perspective, fostering decisions that are not only legally sound but also deeply informed by a spectrum of legal disciplines. Her capacity to navigate different legal environments showcases her adaptability & depth of knowledge, essential qualities for a judge who will face a wide array of challenges on the bench. This legal background is a testament to her readiness to serve with wisdom and fairness.
• She's relatable. Rochelle's rich tapestry of life experiences, from her roles as a mother & community advocate to her diverse legal career, imbues her with a relatability that promises to bring equity to the bench. Her journey through various walks of life allows her to connect with individuals from all backgrounds, understanding their challenges & perspectives. This deep empathy and genuine understanding ensure that Rochelle will advocate for fairness & equality in her judicial decisions, striving to ensure that justice is accessible & equitable for everyone. She will interpret the law with precision & a heart for the people it serves. This mixture of relatability & experience will bring a perspective that champions fairness.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Enhance Access to Justice: Policies aimed at reducing barriers to legal representation and ensuring that low-income and marginalized individuals have access to quality legal services.

Family and Child Welfare: Initiatives that support family stability, child welfare services, foster care reform, and policies that protect children's rights and well-being.

Education and Youth Programs: Advocacy for quality public education, after-school programs, and initiatives that provide support and opportunities for young people, particularly those at risk of entering the criminal justice system.

Community Safety & Criminal Justice Reform: Policies focused on reducing crime through community engagement and preventive measures, reforming the criminal

What legacy would you like to leave?

From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Although I did not know then what a lawyer’s job encompassed, I admired what I found to be a profession that helped people right a wrong. One of the first highly publicized cases I remember relatively following was the Jeffrey Dahmer case, specifically the sentencing statements from the victims. I remember Dahmer’s demeanor and the attorneys’ decorum, but mostly, I remember the Judge empathizing and listening to the families of the victims and how vocal they were, as well as how traumatized the public had become by the constant coverage and knowledge of the vile actions of Dahmer. However, it was not until years later, when I was researching the case, that I came across Judge Laurence Gram’s rendered sentencing. I knew I wanted to be a judge. Judge Gram said, “People are looking to me to provide protection to the community.” While I do not think it is the judge’s job to provide ‘protection’ in the traditional meaning, I realized and wish to serve my community by assuming and accepting the severity of the role a judge plays in being that final barrier of justice for someone who has been harmed.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

Retiring Judge Marshall Murray - branch 43, of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court is someone Rochelle admires. He will be leaving the bench and endorsed Rochelle to take his place. Rochelle admires him due to his zealous advocacy for the education and training of judges and litigators regarding domestic violence, his calm and fair demeanor presiding on the bench, as well as his continuous reminder to put "children first."

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2024 Elections

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Candidate

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 43

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Footnotes

Wisconsin courts

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Federal courts:

Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin

State courts:

Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin Court of Appeals • Wisconsin Circuit Courts • Wisconsin Municipal Courts

State resources:

Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin