Owen Piotrowski, Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 31
Gov. Tony Evers has announced an update to the previously reported appointment of Owen Piotrowski to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
In a prior announcement, Piotrowski was appointed to Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 38, to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Jeffrey A. Wagner. That appointment was covered in the last edition of The Third Branch.
The governor has since announced that Piotrowski will instead be appointed to Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 31. Piotrowski agreed to assume the bench earlier to address an immediate vacancy created by the resignation of former Judge Hannah Dugan, which became effective January 3, 2026. Piotrowski’s appointment to Branch 31 will take effect February 1.
According to the governor’s office, the change will allow court operations in Branch 31 to resume more quickly and help minimize disruptions to court proceedings. The vacancy in Branch 38 will be filled by the governor as soon as possible.
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