Justice Ann Walsh Bradley has been elected by her fellow justices to serve as the next chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. She will assume the role May 1, 2025. Justice Jill J. Karofsky has been elected to serve the remainder of the two-year term beginning July 1, 2025.
Susan Crawford won the April 1 race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Dane County Circuit Court judge will join the state’s highest court on August 1, succeeding retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
Wisconsin voters elected new judges in the April 1 election, with several contested races resulting in new faces on the bench. Newly elected judges will take office on August 1.
April 2, 2025 was a landmark day for Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. She participated in her final oral arguments before her retirement at the end of July. Following the session, she was elected by her colleagues to serve as Chief Justice for the final months of her tenure.
Justice Bradley, who has served on the Court for 30 years, was honored with a standing ovation from her fellow justices and those in attendance.
"Thank you to my wonderful colleagues," Justice Bradley said to her fellow justices. "We are unified in our dedication to our mission, our calling, if you will, to be justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court."
April saw the Wisconsin Supreme Court review arguments in several significant cases. Use the links below to watch the recordings.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Retired Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Barbara Key has been named the 2025 recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Lifetime Jurist Award for her over 20 years of service on the bench and contributions to the legal community.
Judge Chad Hendee of the Marquette County Circuit Court has been named Judge of the Year by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Bench and Bar Committee for his leadership in advancing the state’s treatment court system.
Barron County’s Justice Center added a weapons screening station in 2025, following a County Board vote to approve a full-time sworn deputy for the role. Court officials and staff say the added security addresses a long-standing safety priority.
Judicial officers in Wisconsin now have a new way to protect their personal information from public view. Under 2023 Wisconsin Act 235, judges, court commissioners, and their immediate family members can request that details like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses be removed from public records.
This month marks the debut of a new feature recognizing Wisconsin Court System employees for their years of service. Thank you for your continued dedication to public service.
The Wisconsin Court System is always looking for talented professionals to join our team. Each month, we highlight job openings across the state, offering opportunities for career growth and advancement within the courts.
Judges and court commissioners from across Wisconsin gathered in Egg Harbor for the 2025 Child Welfare Law Orientation, a required training focused on CHIPS, TPR, and guardianship cases.
The Lavinia Goodell State Law Library held an open house on April 10 in recognition of National Library Week. The event featured a dessert reception, self-guided tours, and displays highlighting library resources.
The Lavinia Goodell State Law Library, located on the second floor of 120 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, provides legal research support to attorneys, judges, and the public.
The Wisconsin State Law Library’s 2024 Annual Report highlights its commitment to expanding access to legal resources through outreach, digital initiatives, and self-represented litigant support. The report details the library’s strong demand for its services, including over 900,000 website visits.
Wisconsin Court System employees raised more than $8,600 during the 2024 Partners in Giving campaign, supporting nearly 500 charitable organizations. With expanded participation and a statewide second-place finish for percentage growth in contributions, this year’s campaign was the most successful yet.
