Former Justice Louis J. Ceci spent more than three decades in Wisconsin public service as a lawyer, legislator, and judge. He was the first justice of Italian descent to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Volume 5 | Issue 2 | February 2026
J. Denis Moran, who served for decades as Director of State Courts and helped shape Wisconsin’s modern court system, passed away in December.
This month at the Wisconsin Supreme Court
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in February in several significant cases. The Wisconsin Court System funded and hosted a livestream of the proceedings on its website to ensure continued public access. Additional information is available in the Court’s February press release.
Use the links below to watch the recordings.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
- 2024AP250: Outagamie County v. M.J.B.
- 2023AP588: Cincinnati Insurance Company v. James Ropicky
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- 2022AP2026: Konkanok Rabiebna v. Higher Educational Aids Board
Milwaukee high school students will have a rare opportunity to see Wisconsin’s appellate courts in action when the Court of Appeals District I hold oral argument at Rufus King International High School on March 19.
Longtime public attorney Diane Meulemans will serve as judge in Branch 3 of the Waupaca County Circuit Court. Read more about her career and judicial philosophy.
Oconto County Circuit Court Judge Michael T. Judge has announced he will retire May 1, 2026, concluding more than 20 years of judicial service and a legal career that spans more than five decades.
The ballots are set for Wisconsin’s April 7 spring judicial election. Voters will decide races for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and numerous circuit court branches across the state. Click the link to see who is on the ballot.
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.
This month’s issue continues our new feature celebrating Wisconsin Court System employees for their years of service. Click to find out who is celebrating an anniversary this month.
The Safety and Security Spotlight is a new monthly feature in The Third Branch, sharing timely safety and security guidance for court staff across Wisconsin. This month’s installment provides guidance on recognizing and responding to suspicious mail.
Clerks of circuit court from across Wisconsin gathered in the Wisconsin Dells for the three-day Clerks of Circuit Court Institute, an annual training program organized by the Office of Judicial Education.
The Office of Judicial Education has released its 2026 education calendar, outlining a full year of training programs and learning opportunities for judges and court staff across the state.
Free OLR webinar to focus on managing stress in legal practice
The Office of Lawyer Regulation will host a free lunch-and-learn program on March 20 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. focused on strategies for managing stress and anxiety in busy legal environments. The session, titled Strategies for Managing the Mania, is open to attorneys, paralegals, and students. One LAU credit is pending approval.
Attorney Joe Bugni of Hurley Burish will discuss practical approaches for handling the pressures that come with demanding caseloads and fast-paced legal work. The program is part of OLR’s ongoing webinar series.
Registration will be available through OLR’s LinkedIn page.
The State Bar of Wisconsin has announced details for its 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference, to be held June 11–12 in La Crosse. The information below highlights programming and participation details of interest to Wisconsin’s judiciary and court staff.
Sadly, we have recently lost a respected member of Wisconsin’s judicial community. Learn more about the life and legacy of Edward Zappen.
