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.
Judge serves as the Branch I circuit court judge in Oconto County and was first elected to the bench in 2005. In a letter submitted to Governor Tony Evers, Judge said it has been he was truly grateful to serve the people of Oconto County.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of Oconto County for the past twenty years,” Judge wrote. “Serving the residents of Oconto County has been a humbling, fulfilling, and memorable experience.”
Before joining the bench, he spent 32 years in private law practice prior to his election in 2005. During his judicial career, Judge also served as Deputy Chief Judge in the Eighth Judicial Administrative District.
Judge reflected on the length of his career in his retirement announcement, noting he is stepping down after five decades in the legal profession.
“After 53 years of an extremely satisfying legal career, I have reached a point where it is time for me to step down and evaluate where the next challenge will find me,” he wrote.
The Governor will appoint a successor to complete the remainder of Judge’s term.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov