Chris Taylor has been elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, bringing experience from both the circuit court and Court of Appeals to a 10-year term on the state’s highest court beginning August 1, 2026.
Volume 5 | Issue 4 | April 2026
Voters across Wisconsin selected judges for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts in the April 7 spring election, with contested races decided in several counties and many incumbents re-elected without opposition.
April 21 marked the final oral arguments for Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley before she officially leaves the court following the end of her term in July. She is the first justice to reach the bench after serving as both a circuit court and appeals court judge.
This month at the Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is accepting public comment on a proposed rule change addressing judicial recusal, with written submissions and testimony informing the Court’s review ahead of a June 4 public hearing.
District I Court of Appeals Chief Judge Maxine Judge White retired in early April, concluding more than three decades of judicial service that included leadership roles on both the circuit court and the Court of Appeals. Read more about her impressive career.
Judge Brian W. Blanchard will retire from the Court of Appeals in November after serving since 2010. His path to the bench includes leadership in prosecution at both the county and federal levels.
Court of Appeals Judge M. Joseph Donald was honored as Marquette University Law School’s 2026 Alumnus of the Year, recognizing a judicial career spanning more than three decades and his contributions to families and children in Wisconsin’s courts.
Portage County Circuit Court Judge Michael Zell has been named the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2026 Judge of the Year, recognized for leadership in updating local court rules and advancing access to justice. Read more about why he was chosen for the award.
Rock County Circuit Court Judge Ashley Morse has been named the 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award recipient by the State Bar of Wisconsin, recognizing her leadership in advancing inclusion within the legal profession and on the bench. Read more about why she was chosen for the award.
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd Ziegler received the Jack Aulik Award, recognizing his leadership and longstanding work advancing treatment courts in Wisconsin.
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Robert Dehring has been appointed deputy chief judge of the Third Judicial Administrative District, where he will support district operations and assist Chief Judge Paul Bugenhagen Jr.
Faun Moses, the new District Court Administrator for District 5, brings experience in appellate administration, trial-level leadership, and courtroom practice to the role.
Matt Goncher has been appointed marshal of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, bringing extensive law enforcement and court security experience to lead safety and security operations for the Court.
The Safety and Security Spotlight is a monthly feature in The Third Branch, sharing timely safety and security guidance for court staff across Wisconsin. This month’s installment focuses on planning and situational awareness when visiting another courthouse.
Judges and court commissioners from across Wisconsin met April 15–17 at the La Crosse Center for the annual Child Welfare Law Orientation. The training focused on key hearings and case management practices in child welfare cases.
Deputy Director Amber Peterson presented on workplace well-being and statewide updates at the Wisconsin Court Reporters Association Spring Convention, offering practical strategies and insights for court reporters across the state.
Judges from across the Seventh Judicial District met March 27 in Monroe County for a full-day meeting that combined legal updates, technology training, and discussion of emerging issues facing Wisconsin courts.
Free OLR webinar to focus on aligning purpose and practice
The Office of Lawyer Regulation will host a free webinar on May 11, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. titled Why Practice? Aligning Your Process with Your Purpose. The program will examine how legal professionals can reconnect with the values that brought them to the profession while managing the demands of daily practice. An application for one CLE credit has been submitted and is pending approval.
Presenter John Schneider, MSW, LCSW, will discuss strategies for identifying the underlying motivations behind one’s work and addressing burnout when professional responsibilities begin to conflict with personal values. The session will also explore practical ways to better align professional and personal priorities.
Registration will be available through OLR’s LinkedIn page.
Law library hosts open house during National Library Week
First established in 1836 to support Wisconsin’s territorial government, the Lavinia Goodell State Law Library marked nearly 190 years of service with an open house held April 23 during National Library Week.
The event provided an opportunity for judges, attorneys, court staff, and members of the public to visit the library, connect with staff, and learn more about available resources and services. Guests explored the library through self-guided tours, viewed exhibits, and learned more about its collections and research tools.
Library staff were available throughout the event to answer questions and demonstrate services that support legal research and access to justice across the state.
Events like the open house are part of the library’s ongoing outreach efforts to raise awareness of its services and strengthen connections with the courts, legal community, and public.
The Wisconsin Court System will recognize Employee Appreciation Week by highlighting the work of court staff across the state and hosting an informal gathering for employees.
This month’s issue continues our feature celebrating Wisconsin Court System employees for their years of service. Click to find out who is celebrating an anniversary this month.
The Wisconsin Court System regularly highlights opportunities for skilled professionals to support the work of our courts. Each month, we feature positions available statewide. Click here to explore current openings and learn more about career opportunities across Wisconsin’s courts.
