Third Branch eNews

The Wisconsin judiciary gained two new members this month, after Governor Tony Evers appointed two new judges to the Dane County Circuit Court to fill recent vacancies. Stephanie Hilton and Ben Jones bring experience from public service and legal practice as they begin their terms on the court.

Stephanie Hilton, Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 8

Longtime prosecutor Stephanie Hilton has been appointed to the Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 8. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Frank D. Remington and will serve a term ending July 31, 2026. Gov. Tony Evers announced the appointment in late April.

Hilton has served as an assistant attorney general with the Wisconsin Department of Justice since 2020, where she co-leads the Wisconsin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. She has also prosecuted cases involving multiple felony count sexual assault charges and co-chaired related jury trials. Her career includes prior service as an assistant district attorney in both La Crosse and Dane counties. In those roles, she led felony jury trials on cases involving child abuse, domestic violence, homicide, and sexual assault.

Earlier in her career, Hilton worked in both the legislative and executive branches of state government. In addition to her legal work, she has remained active in the community, volunteering with several organizations and currently serving on the boards of JustDane and Prairie Moraine Friends. Since 2023, she has also been a public member of the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board.

“I am honored to accept Governor Evers’ appointment to the Dane County Circuit Court,” Hilton said. “As a judge, I will continue my mission—working to ensure the legal system is accessible, fair, and grounded in integrity.”

Hilton earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Superior and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She lives in Madison with her family.

Ben Jones, Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 1

Ben Jones, a longtime public attorney and current chief legal counsel at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, has been appointed to the Dane County Circuit Court, Branch 1.

Jones has led the legal team at DPI since 2019, managing a wide scope of legal matters for one of the state’s largest agencies. His work includes representing the department in administrative proceedings and in both trial and appellate courts. He joined DPI in 2017 following several years in private practice at Weld Riley, S.C., where he advised school districts and administrators across Wisconsin.

In announcing the appointment, Gov. Tony Evers praised Jones’s integrity, legal acumen, and dedication to public service.

Jones, a Monona resident, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Wisconsin Law School. He credited colleagues and mentors throughout his career for shaping the values and principles he will bring to the bench.

“I believe every person deserves equitable and meaningful access to justice,” Jones said. “That belief has guided my work in public service and will continue to guide me as a judge.”

Jones fills the vacancy created by Judge Susan Crawford’s election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and will serve a term ending July 31, 2026.