Burneatta L. Bridge succeeds Judge David G. Deininger on the appellate bench.

• Author: Zemlicka, Jack

Byline: Jack Zemlicka

Timing appears to be everything for Burneatta L. Bridge. The former deputy attorney general retired last September because of family concerns after more than 20 years of state service. Less than six months later, personal and professional circumstances have greatly improved for Bridge, who was appointed to the District IV Court of Appeals by Gov. Jim Doyle. Bridge begins her term today and succeeds Judge David G. Deininger who retired on Jan. 31. In anticipation of a rigorous period of transition, Bridge vacationed in the Caribbean during the first week of February, which also happened to be the coldest of the year in Wisconsin. "Life doesn't seem to often work itself out like that," joked Bridge about her recent good fortune. "As far as the appointment, it's something I had thought about, but I didn't really expect a vacancy. The timing was quite fortuitous in terms of my personal circumstances." Bridge vacated her last job as Administrator for the Division of Children and Family Services at the Department of Health and Family Services after less than year because of health issues within her family. "Things have really stabilized and allowed...