JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle on Tuesday announced the appointment of Michael Fitzpatrick as a Rock County Circuit Court judge.

Fitzpatrick will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Michael Byron.

Fitzpatrick will begin serving in mid-August and will serve a term ending July 31, 2009.

Fitzpatrick has worked for more than 20 years as an attorney in Janesville and also serves as a Janesville police and fire commissioner.