Headlines

Headlines from the current year are available below. For headlines released prior to 2016 check the archives (2007- 2020).

For more information contact Tom Sheehan, Court Information Officer, Director of State Courts' Office.

07/22/21 Marathon County judge selected to chair Committee of Chief Judges
Ninth Judicial Administrative District Chief Judge Gregory B. Huber, Marathon County Circuit Court, has been selected by his fellow chief judges to serve as chair of the Committee of Chief Judges, effective Aug. 1. Read more.
07/16/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts five new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept five new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed below. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
07/14/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court appoints Samuelson to head OLR
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed U.S. Assistant Attorney and former circuit court judge Timothy C. Samuelson as Director of the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR), effective Aug. 15. Samuelson will replace retiring Director Keith Sellen, who has led the office since it was established in 2000. Read more.
07/01/21 Supreme Court appoints Court of Appeals chief judge, re-appoints five circuit court chief judges
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed Judge William W. Brash, III as chief judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the Court re-appointed five circuit court judges to continue serving as chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts, effective Aug. 1. Read more.
06/25/21 Wisconsin court system eFiling program expands to appellate courts
On July 1, electronic filing (eFiling) will become mandatory for attorneys who practice in the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court will launch an eFiling pilot program on a select set of cases by invitation. Read more.
06/18/21 Supreme Court issues four administrative orders
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued four administrative orders that terminate and supersede applicable portions of the Court's orders of May 22, 2020 regarding: remote hearings in the appellate courts during the COVID-19 pandemic; filing of court documents in the circuit and appellate courts (temporary mailbox rule) during the COVID-19 pandemic; remote administration of oaths and deposition via remote audio-visual equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic; and appellate court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Copies of the orders can be found here. Read more.
06/18/21 Article highlights work of Judicial Engagement Teams in improving practice of child welfare law
An article published June 17 by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Children & the Law Section highlights the work of Judicial Engagement Teams (JETs) in improving the practice of child welfare law in the state. Wisconsin currently has a number of counties participating in the JET initiative, which brings together members from every aspect of child welfare, including prosecutors, judges, adversary counsel, guardians ad litem, social workers and service providers. JETs are in part the result of a collaborative effort of the Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare and the Wisconsin Children’s Court Improvement Program. Read more here. Read more.
06/15/21 Order addresses process for filing documents in the Supreme Court, effective July 1
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued an order establishing requirements applicable to filing documents in the Supreme Court, beginning July 1, 2021, and continuing until mandatory electronic filing begins in the Supreme Court. Read more.
06/04/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts two new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept two new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed here. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
05/19/21 Judges Smeltzer, Stengel receive State Bar's 'Lifetime Jurist Award'
Two Wisconsin circuit court judges are being honored by the State Bar of Wisconsin with the 2021 Lifetime Jurist Award: Judge Rod W. Smeltzer, Dunn County Circuit Court, and Judge L. Edward Stengel, Sheboygan County Circuit Court. The award, traditionally presented to one judge annually, recognizes "jurists who, during their tenure on the bench, were fair and impartial, demonstrated high ideals and personal character along with outstanding, long-term judicial service." In announcing the award this year, the Bar indicated two judges exceeded qualifications for the award. Read more here. Read more.
05/19/21 State Bar recognizes Judge Ramirez as 'Judge of the Year'
Judge Ralph M. Ramirez, Waukesha County Circuit Court, has been selected as the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2021 'Judge of the Year.' The award recognizes an outstanding circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system through leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. Ramirez is featured in an InsideTrack article published today . Read more.
05/14/21 Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez, La Crosse County Circuit Court, interviewed by NBC
La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Ramona A. Gonzalez was recently interviewed by NBC News national desk for a two a two-part series on domestic and family violence and the importance of judicial education on those matters. Read more.
05/10/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts seven new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept seven new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed here. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
05/01/21 Wisconsin court system highlights educational resources on Law Day
In recognition of Law Day today, the Wisconsin court system is highlighting a number of free educational resources for students, teachers, parents and anyone else interested in learning more about our courts and the legal system. The resources include lesson plans, videos and other materials on a wide range of legal topics from a number of sources that can be used in the classroom or at home. Read more.
04/29/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court oral argument - May 2021
A copy of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's calendar of cases to be heard during May can be found here. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Previously released opinions issued by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found here. Read more.
04/23/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts five new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept five new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed here. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
04/23/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court order makes way for expanded appellate court eFiling
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued an order approving a comprehensive electronic filing (eFiling) system in the appellate courts, and the Court amended the rules of appellate procedure needed to implement the system. In the Court of Appeals, eFiling will become mandatory for attorneys on July 1, 2021. Mandatory use of eFiling in the Supreme Court will be phased in, according to a schedule to be set by the Court. A copy of the order can be found here. Additional information, including public input received on Rule Petition 20-07, can be found here. Read more.
04/21/21 New judges elected to Wisconsin Court of Appeals, 11 circuit court branches
Two new Court of Appeals judges and 11 new circuit court judges, including four in newly created branches in Calumet, Dunn, Jackson and Marathon counties, will take office on Aug. 1 as a result of the Spring Election. Read more.
04/14/21 Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler elected as next chief justice
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler today was elected by her fellow justices as the state's next chief justice, effective May 1, 2021. Ziegler will take over from the current Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack, who did not seek re-election to the post but remains on the Court. Read more.
04/06/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court oral argument - April 2021
A copy of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's calendar of cases to be heard during April can be found here. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Previously released opinions issued by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found here. Read more.
03/11/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court oral argument - March 2021 [UPDATED]
An updated copy of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's calendar and synopses of cases being heard during March, including cases scheduled for March 15, 18 and 23 can be found here. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues. Read more.
03/10/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts nine new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept nine new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed here. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
03/09/21 Virtual court interpreter training offered during April
The Wisconsin Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for Spring court interpreter training to be held over two consecutive weekends on April 10 and 11, and April 17 and 18. This virtual interpreter training is offered to those who want to explore work as an interpreter for the Wisconsin court system. A similar virtual training was successfully offered in September of 2020 using Zoom technology. Read more.
03/05/21 Supreme Court Agenda - March 17, 2021 public hearing
An agenda for the Wisconsin Supreme Court's March 17 Public Hearing can be found here. A copy of the full hearing notice can be found here. A copy of Rule Petition 20-07 can be found here. Information about the Supreme Court's rule-making process can be found here. A livestream of the hearing will be available here at the scheduled start time of the hearing. Read more.
02/26/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court oral argument - March 2021
A copy of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's calendar of cases to be heard during March, including synopses of the cases scheduled for March 3 can be found here. Synopses of other cases will be provided at a later date. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Previously released opinions issued by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found here. Read more.
02/17/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court oral argument - February 2021
A copy of the calendar and synopses of cases being heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court during February can be found here. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Previously released opinions issued by the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found here. Read more.
02/15/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court agenda - Feb. 24, 2021
An agenda for the Wisconsin Supreme Court's Feb. 24 Public Hearing can be found here. Copies of the full hearing notices can be found here. Copies of the rules petitions and related information can be found here (20-05) and here (20-06). Information about the Supreme Court's rule-making process can be found here. A livestream of the hearing will be available here at the scheduled start time. Read more.
02/02/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts five new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept five new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
01/25/21 Wisconsin Jury Instructions now available via State Law Library website
In cooperation with the University of Wisconsin Law School, Director of State Courts Hon. Randy R. Koschnick announced today that the Office of Judicial Education, in partnership with the Wisconsin State Law Library, is now providing free online access to updated criminal, civil, and juvenile jury instructions. Read more.
01/20/21 REVISED: Wisconsin Supreme Court - Oral argument Jan. 21, 2021
A revised copy of the calendar and synopses of cases being heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court during January can be found here. A date referenced in the synopsis for 2018AP669 Ronald L. Collison v. City of Milwaukee Board of Review, scheduled to be heard at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow, Jan. 21, 2021, has been corrected. Read more.
01/08/21 Supreme Court January 14 public rules hearing agenda
An agenda for the Wisconsin Supreme Court's Jan. 14 Public Hearing can be found here. Copies of the full hearing notices can be found here. Copies of the pending rules petitions and related information, including submitted communications, can be found here (20-03) and here (20-04). Information about the Supreme Court's rule-making process can be found here. A livestream of the hearing will be available here at the scheduled start time. Read more.
01/05/21 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts four new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept four new cases, and the Court acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, counties of origin and the issues presented in granted cases are listed. More information about pending appellate cases can be found on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Published Court of Appeals opinions can be found here, and the status of pending Supreme Court cases can be found here. Read more.
01/05/21 Flags ordered to half-staff for Justice Abrahamson
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags of Wisconsin and the United States to fly at half-staff today, Jan. 5, in honor of the late Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, who died Dec. 19, 2020. Abrahamson served on the Court from 1976 to 2019 and was Chief Justice from 1996 to 2015. A copy of the governor's press release can be found here, and a copy of Executive Order #102 can be found here. Read more.
01/04/21 Director accepts State Bar's 'Legal Innovator' award
Director of State Courts, Hon. Randy R. Koschnick, recently accepted a Legal Innovator Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin for the court system's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Video of the award presentation, including Koschnick's remarks can be found here. The award was announced in November and presented remotely in December. Read more.