The Wisconsin Supreme Court has reappointed four circuit court judges to continue serving as chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts. The appointments are effective Aug. 1, 2026, with terms continuing through July 31, 2028, or until further order of the Court.
Chief judges oversee administrative matters within their districts, working with deputy chief judges and district court administrators to support court operations. They also serve on the Committee of Chief Judges, which meets regularly to address administrative issues affecting circuit courts statewide.
Second Judicial Administrative District
Racine County Circuit Court Judge Wynne P. Laufenberg has been reappointed as chief judge of the Second Judicial Administrative District, which includes Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties.
Judge Laufenberg was first appointed chief judge effective Aug. 1, 2024. She was appointed to the Racine County bench in 2016, elected in 2018, and re-elected in 2024.
Before taking the bench, Judge Laufenberg practiced law in Racine, including work as a guardian ad litem. She also worked in the State Public Defender’s Office in Racine County, where her trial work included juvenile, misdemeanor, and felony matters.
Judge Laufenberg previously served as president of the Racine County Bar Association and as an adjunct criminal justice professor at Carthage College. Racine County judicial rotation information also lists her as continuing to preside over Veterans Treatment Court.
Fourth Judicial Administrative District
Waushara County Circuit Court Judge Guy D. Dutcher has been reappointed as chief judge of the Fourth Judicial Administrative District, which includes Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Manitowoc, Marquette, Sheboygan, Waushara, and Winnebago counties.
Judge Dutcher was first appointed chief judge in 2022 and reappointed in 2024. He has served as a Waushara County circuit court judge since 2005, after previously serving as Waushara County District Attorney.
Judge Dutcher is a graduate of Ripon College and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He has been involved in judicial education for many years, including service on the faculty of Wisconsin Judicial College since 2007 and service as associate dean from 2017 to 2023.
Judge Dutcher also serves as chair of the Committee of Chief Judges, a statewide leadership role selected by his fellow chief judges. He has been involved in judicial education for many years, including service on the faculty of Wisconsin Judicial College since 2007, service as associate dean from 2017 to 2023, and current service as Co-Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College with Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Klicko.
Eighth Judicial Administrative District
Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Carrie A. Schneider has been reappointed as chief judge of the Eighth Judicial Administrative District, which includes Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie, and Waupaca counties.
Judge Schneider was first appointed chief judge in 2022 and reappointed in 2024. She was appointed to the Outagamie County bench in 2017, elected in 2018, and re-elected in 2024. Before becoming chief judge, she served as deputy chief judge for the Eighth Judicial Administrative District.
Before taking the bench, Judge Schneider served as Outagamie County District Attorney beginning in 2003. During her time as district attorney, she created Outagamie County’s first domestic violence prosecution unit.
Judge Schneider has also served in statewide court leadership. In 2024, she was selected by her fellow chief judges to chair the Committee of Chief Judges. She is a graduate of Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Tenth Judicial Administrative District
Bayfield County Circuit Court Judge John P. Anderson has been reappointed as chief judge of the Tenth Judicial Administrative District, which includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, and Washburn counties.
Judge Anderson was first appointed chief judge effective Aug. 1, 2024. He was first elected to the Bayfield County bench in 2003 and re-elected in 2009, 2015, and 2021.
Before becoming a judge, Judge Anderson worked in private practice in Washburn and served as a court commissioner from 1996 to 2003. Bayfield County is a one-branch county, with Anderson serving as the county’s circuit court judge.
Judge Anderson received the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Judge of the Year award in 2020. The State Bar highlighted his work in judicial leadership, treatment courts, limited-scope representation, and the early use of video court in a rural county.
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