Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd Ziegler and Katie York, an assistant state public defender in the agency’s appellate division, have been appointed to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District IV. They will fill vacancies created by Justice-elect Chris Taylor’s election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judge Brian Blanchard’s retirement.
Together, the two appointees bring nearly four decades of experience in Wisconsin’s legal system, including circuit court leadership, appellate advocacy, agency management, and statewide court improvement efforts. Judge Ziegler will complete a term ending July 31, 2027. York will complete a term ending July 31, 2028.
Todd Ziegler
Judge Ziegler has served on the Monroe County Circuit Court since 2007 and is currently the county’s presiding judge. Since 2023, he has also served as deputy chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Administrative District.
His experience on the circuit court spans civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate matters. He helped establish Monroe County’s first OWI Treatment Court and has worked to improve court practices and case processing.
“Judge Ziegler is a superb addition to the Court of Appeals,” said Judge Julie Genovese, chief judge of the Fifth Judicial Administrative District. “His wealth of knowledge and experience will be an incredible asset for the District IV Court of Appeals.”
Judge Ziegler’s work has also extended beyond the Monroe County courthouse. He has served on the Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare and the Juvenile Jury Instruction Committee and as co-chair of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Youth Justice Judicial Work Group.
The Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals recognized Judge Ziegler with its Hero Award in 2023 and the Jack Aulik Award in 2026.
Before joining the bench, Judge Ziegler practiced with Gleiss, Locante & Ziegler LLP in Sparta, representing clients in civil and criminal cases in Monroe County and surrounding communities. Earlier in his career, he served as a law clerk to Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Gordon Myse.
“I have been fortunate to serve Monroe County on the bench for 19 years, and I look forward to taking that experience to the Court of Appeals,” Judge Ziegler said. “I will continue to work with honesty and integrity in a fair and impartial way to ensure equal justice for all in this new role.”
Judge Ziegler earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Katie York
York joined the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office in 2008 and has represented clients in a broad range of trial and appellate cases throughout her career.
She has also held several management and leadership positions within the agency. York became a local attorney manager in 2015, deputy trial division director in 2018, appellate division director in 2019, and deputy state public defender in 2023.
From October 2023 through June 2024, York served as acting state public defender, overseeing the agency during a leadership transition and working to improve attorney recruitment and retention. She continued representing clients while serving in agency leadership roles.
“For nearly two decades, Katie has been an indispensable part of the State Public Defender’s Office, tirelessly advocating for those she represented,” State Public Defender Jennifer Bias said. “The people of Wisconsin are gaining a jurist who deeply understands both the law and the human impact of our legal system.”
Throughout her career, York has provided professional training, contributed to legal publications, and served on committees for the State Public Defender’s Office, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Court System.
“For the past 18 years, it has been a privilege to serve the people of Wisconsin as a public defender, working to ensure our legal system remains fair and balanced while also protecting individual liberty interests,” York said. “I am excited to pull from my prior experience in the legal system to serve Wisconsin in this new role, with a commitment to fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.”
York lives in Madison with her family. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and her law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law.
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