Krista G. LaFave
WAUWATOSA MUNICIPAL JUDGE
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Krista.
WHERE I'M FROM
I grew up in Whitefish Bay, but regularly visited my grandparents who resided on Menomonee River Parkway in Wauwatosa. I always loved exploring the parkway and looked forward to every time I got to be in Wauwatosa. After high school, I decided if I ever moved back to the Milwaukee area, I would want to live in Wauwatosa, which came true in 2014. I have resided in multiple different parts of Wauwatosa. Since 2021, I made my home for my daughter and I in East Tosa. I love Tosa's different neighborhoods, and all of the events that occur throughout the year. I love how Tosans care about their city and the greater Milwaukee community.
​
I attended UW-Madison for undergrad and received double-majors in French and Political Science. I worked in Madison and then moved to Chicago for a new career in legal marketing. A few years later, I decided to pursue my dream of attending law school. I attended Tulane University Law School and graduated magna cum laude. I received the prestigious Tulane 34 Award from Tulane University's president, which is given annually to only 34 graduates from all of Tulane University.
VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN MINDSET
I have volunteered my entire life, and one of my earliest memories is caroling at nursing homes in elementary school. In Wauwatosa, I joined the Sheraton Lawns Neighborhood Association Board in 2014, and was the President 2018-2020. As a recent transplant to Tosa East Towne, I am a member of the association. Mayor Kathy Ehley appointed me to the Board of Zoning Appeals in 2018 and Mayor Dennis McBride re-appointed me in 2021. In that role, I ensured that variance requests to ordinances were properly heard and determined based on the strict standards provided by case law and statute. I am proud to have served as a poll worker since the fall of 2020.​ I previously served on the board for the HOPE Network for Single Mothers for many years.
​
I believe volunteering is one of the most important things a lawyer can do, as it is a way to ensure fairness and equity in our judicial system. Since 2017, I have volunteered to provide legal service and representation with the Eviction Defense Project. I was elected to the State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors and served as the Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. I am currently a member of the Nominating Committee. I served as a Wisconsin state representative to the American Bar Association's House of Delegates and represented Wisconsin at our bi-annual meetings. I have served on the Association for Women Lawyers' board of directors for many years, and currently serve as the Past President. I chaired AWL's Litigation Discussion Group from 2014-2019.
