Kathryn Weintraub has been the executive director of the State Attorney’s Office for the 4th Judicial Circuit for more than 10 years.
WHAT DOES HER
JOB INVOLVE?
“I’m in charge of the business office: budget issues, human resources, the operations side. Myself and another director supervise all the support, that is non-attorney, staff.”
HOW STAFFERS ARE IN
THE OFFICE?
“There are 350 employees in Duval, Clay and Nassau. All three counties are part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. That domain is Harry’s [Shorstein, state attorney]. We are the largest law firm in town with 90 attorneys when we are fully staffed.”
DOES SHE CROSS PATHS WITH THE
STATE ATTORNEY?
“As chief prosecutor, Harry has got to be involved somewhat in the financial end of it to make sure things are going well and that we’ve got money. So we speak on that and new positions, but, granted, it’s been a number of years since the legislature increased City staff. On the budget end, we stay in touch. Any operations matters I’ll bring to his attention, or if he has concerns, he’ll bring it to my attention.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT HER WORK?
“It’s different every day. There are daily challenges with the budget or staffing. There’s always something new that pops up unexpectedly.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“The budget.”
IS IT HAVING
ENOUGH MONEY?
“Absolutely. We don’t make money. We are dependent on the Legislature to appropriate funds. Times have been tight before, but this is the longest period where the money was short. Doing more with less is becoming a way of life.”
HOW IS THE PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED?
“This coming fiscal year, the State is taking over a lot of the county’s obligations regarding court-related services. We’re trying to work that out now. Hopefully, we’ll get the budget we need.”
WHAT SERVICES WILL THE STATE BE TAKING OVER?
“Currently, the county is required to provide the state attorney with such things as office space, some computer services, telephone infrastructure and most of the court-related functions: court reporters, expert witness fees, travel, that kind of thing. The State is picking up most of the court-related functions. This is something the voters approved a number of years ago. It takes effect July 2004.”
HOMESTATE
Wisconsin.
EDUCATION
Weintraub has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Valdosta State University. “My parents did not want the girls in the family [she has eight siblings] to go to the big schools because of the sit-ins in the 1960s.”
WHY CRIMINAL JUSTICE?
“It’s just so interesting, and I always believed in law and order. I believe in the mission of the State Attorney’s Office, which is to seek justice for all. I thought this would be a great way to contribute.”
HOW WILL THE COURTHOUSE MOVE IMPACT HER OFFICE?
“Our office is now in five buildings downtown. That’s a pretty tough way to run an office. Probably we will be in the renovated federal courthouse [after they relocate], which will be adjacent to the new courthouse. We are hopeful that we will all be back together one day.”
WHAT ABOUT PARKING?
“That is a huge concern. I’m not sure that the support staff will necessarily be able to afford parking. It’s pretty tough on us now because most of the support staff take the trolley from the stadium area. Our attorneys also don’t have nearby parking. Parking was not necessarily part of the equation. I understand a private vendor will be building parking units. There are only, I believe, 100 spaces behind the courthouse for all the judges, 20-30 attorneys and some clerks.”
THE MOST FUN JOB
Shortly after graduating from college, Weintraub began her career with the State Attorney’s Office. For eight years she worked as a felony, probation and parole officer carrying a caseload of about 70-100 offenders. “I think it was the most fun job I ever had, but I got out before crack hit the streets. I never felt in danger, but I was always careful about what I did and where I went.”
CLIMBING THE LADDER
Weintraub served as a court liaison officer for a couple of years before applying for her current position.
EVER WORKED
ANYWHERE ELSE?
Destined to be a government employee, Weintraub’s first job was with the Internal Revenue Service in the taxpayer service department. She was only there for three months to assist with the tax season rush.
FAMILY
Bruce “Bucky” Weintraub, supervisor of probation and parole, is her husband. They have one daughter, Kelli, and live on the Southside.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
An outdoor enthusiast, Weintraub enjoys hiking, gardening and jogging on the beach. She gets her workout by playing tennis and golf, running track and lifting weights. She likes seafood, books by Irish authors and the television show “Friends.” Professionally, Weintraub is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators.
— by Monica Tsai