Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Walworth County.

Walworth County Register of Deeds Michele Jacobs will serve as the new Clerk of Circuit Court, replacing Kristina Secord who announced her resignation on November 14. Jacobs will assume her new role on December 11. [She will be filling Secord’s unexpired term until January, 2027. Secord was just elected to a four year term in November, 2022.]

Per State Statute, the judges of a county appoint a new Clerk of Court if that person leaves the office prior to the
end of their term. Jacobs was appointed to the position on November 21 by Walworth County Judges
David Reddy, Phillip Koss, Kristine Drettwan, and Daniel Johnson.

“I look forward to assuming my new role as Clerk of Circuit Court and continuing to serve Walworth County,”
says Michele Jacobs. “I will greatly miss my wonderful team in the Register of Deeds office. But I know they
will continue to serve Walworth County residents with the utmost professionalism.”

Jacobs was elected as Register of Deeds in 2020. Prior to taking office, she worked in the Clerk of Court’s
office for 14 years and in the office of Walworth County Corporation Counsel.

During her tenure, Jacobs launched a new land notification service to help protect property owners from
property fraud. She also increased efficiencies within the office and prioritized the digital preservation of
historical records, scanning indexes to allow them to be available online in the future.

Per statute, Jacobs has until December 11 to submit her resignation to the Walworth County Sheriff. Upon
receipt, her resignation will be forwarded to the Governor for a decision regarding how to fill the impending
register of deeds vacancy.