W. Patrick Donlin (May 12 1937 – February 3 1996) was an American lawyer, jurist, and fraternal organization official. He served as one of the inaugural judges of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (1978‑1981) and held prior judicial positions in Price County, Wisconsin, including county and circuit judgeships. After resigning from the bench, Donlin became the supreme advocate (general counsel) of the Knights of Columbus, a role he fulfilled until his death.
Early life and education
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Donlin attended Saint Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota, and earned his Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1961【1†L30-L38】.
Legal and judicial career
Donlin practiced law privately before being elected District Attorney of Price County in 1970, defeating incumbent Paul Gehring. He served two terms as district attorney (1971‑1974) and was subsequently elected County Judge of Price County (1974‑1976)【1†L44-L52】. In August 1976, Governor Patrick Lucey appointed him a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 15th Circuit, a position he held until July 1978【1†L54-L60】.
Following the 1977 constitutional amendments that reorganized Wisconsin’s courts, Donlin ran for and won a seat on the newly created Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District III, serving from August 1 1978 until his resignation on May 1 1981【1†L10-L17】.
Knights of Columbus
In 1981 Donlin resigned from the judiciary to become assistant supreme advocate for the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. He was promoted to supreme advocate (the organization’s general counsel) four months later, overseeing its legal affairs across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, and Latin America【1†L78-L88】. Donlin was a member of the Knights since 1965 and served as grand knight of the Father Otto Weber Council 2369 in Park Falls, Wisconsin. In 1985 he was knighted in the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II, and in 1990 he was elected president of the National Fraternal Congress of America【1†L90-L103】.
Personal life
Donlin married Nancy M. Fischl in 1958; the couple had two sons and two daughters. He died on February 3 1996 in North Haven, Connecticut, at age 58, and was interred at Belleville Cemetery in Belleville, Wisconsin【1†L32-L38】.
Legacy
Donlin’s career bridged public service in the judiciary and leadership within a major Catholic fraternal organization, reflecting a blend of legal expertise and community involvement.
Sources: Wikipedia article “W. Patrick Donlin” (accessed via Jina AI mirror).