The Wisconsin Supreme Court has reappointed four circuit court judges to serve additional two-year terms as chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts. Terms begin August 1, 2025.
Chief judges work with deputy chief judges and district court administrators to manage the flow of cases, oversee court operations in their districts, and collaborate on statewide policy through the Committee of Chief Judges. Chief judges typically maintain court calendars in addition to their administrative responsibilities. In the First Judicial District, however, the chief judge serves as a full-time administrator due to the size and complexity of Milwaukee County’s court system.
First Judicial Administrative District
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley has been reappointed as chief judge of the First Judicial Administrative District, which encompasses Milwaukee County. Ashley was first named chief judge in April 2023 and previously served as deputy chief judge under former Chief Judge Mary Triggiano.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley has been reappointed as chief judge of the First Judicial Administrative District, which encompasses Milwaukee County. Ashley was first named chief judge in April 2023 and previously served as deputy chief judge under former Chief Judge Mary Triggiano.
Third Judicial Administrative District
Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Paul Bugenhagen, Jr. has been reappointed to lead the Third Judicial Administrative District, which includes Dodge, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha Counties. Bugenhagen has served as chief judge since August 2023.
Elected to the circuit court in 2015 and re-elected in 2021, Bugenhagen has served in every division of the circuit court. He served four years in family court, five years in criminal court, and he now serves in both the civil and juvenile divisions of the court. He is a member of the Legislative Committee of the Judicial Conference, the chair of the county Criminal Justice Collaborating Council, and he continues to coach high school wrestling.
Before joining the judiciary, Bugenhagen worked in private practice, handling general litigation and bilingual legal matters. He holds degrees from Marquette University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Fifth Judicial Administrative District
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Julie Genovese has been reappointed as chief judge of the Fifth Judicial Administrative District, which covers Columbia, Dane, Green, Lafayette, Rock, and Sauk counties. Genovese was first named chief judge in April 2024 following the retirement of former Chief Judge Thomas Vale.
Genovese was elected to the Dane County bench in 2009. Her legal service includes being a law clerk to the late Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, a litigation partner at Foley & Lardner, a special investigator for the Office of Lawyer Regulation, and a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School. She has served in the Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile divisions of the court. She is also an Associate Dean to the Wisconsin Judicial College.
Seventh Judicial Administrative District
La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge Scott Horne has been reappointed as chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Administrative District, which includes 14 counties in western Wisconsin. Horne became chief judge in August 2023.
Horne was elected to the bench in 2007 after more than two decades as La Crosse County District Attorney. On the bench, he has presided over criminal and civil calendars. He is a member of the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions Committee and chairs the Planning Subcommittee of the Planning and Policy Advisory Committee, which helps shape long-term strategy for the court system.
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