Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky delivers the 2025 State of the Judiciary address at the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, highlighting judicial security, access to justice, and the daily work courts do to serve communities across the state.
Volume 4 | Issue 11 | November 2025
Director of State Courts Audrey K. Skwierawski delivers her annual address at the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, highlighting ongoing administrative improvements, technology modernization efforts, and support for the judicial workforce.
Judges, justices, court staff, and system partners gather at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa in Lake Geneva for the 2025 Wisconsin Judicial Conference, held November 12–14. The three-day program featured plenary sessions, educational workshops, statewide updates, and networking opportunities for participants from across Wisconsin.
Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet and Judge Michael Zell take part in the Legal Services Corporation’s national Rural Reach symposium, held in Madison, where they joined speakers from across the country to discuss strategies for improving civil legal access in rural communities.
Judges, county partners, and child welfare stakeholders meet in Stevens Point for an all-sites session of the Judicial Engagement Team initiative, focusing on implementation progress, shared learning, and coordinated efforts to improve outcomes for children and families.
Judges from Wisconsin’s Tenth Judicial Administrative District gather in Bayfield County for fall training and business sessions, which included education on forensic issues in family violence cases, district updates, and opportunities to learn about local court and public safety operations.
Waukesha County recently celebrated National Adoption Day in its newly renovated juvenile courtroom. The day was marked by heartwarming proceedings as Judge Jennifer Dorow and Judge Cody Horlacher presided over adoptions, officially uniting families.
Guiding the celebration was Court of Appeals Judge Maria Lazar, who served as the master of ceremonies. Amalie Bowling, Executive Director of Chosen Inc., and Chelsea Fyksen from the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, highlighted the importance of adoption and the support available to families. The event also saw a strong presence from Jockey, Waukesha County HHS, and Public Adoptions, demonstrating a collective commitment to supporting children and families through the adoption process
Attorney Laurie Lyte is slated to lead a free webinar looking at how small, everyday interactions can shape workplace culture in the legal field. Attorney Lyte will discuss ways to build genuine connections in fast-paced environments and how simple habits can support clear communication, trust, and shared purpose. The Office of Lawyer Regulation-sponsored webinar will take place on December 8 from noon to 1 p.m.
The session will highlight approaches for fostering everyday connections in legal settings, emphasizing how short, intentional interactions can encourage growth and strengthen trust. Attorney Lyte will discuss strategies for creating environments where people feel motivated to contribute, engaged in shared goals, and supported in their work. Participants can earn 1 LPM credit for attending.
Registration will be available through OLR’s LinkedIn page.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Susan Crawford recently visited a graduate-level politics of state policy course at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Justice Crawford discussed the judiciary's role in state government and reviewed judicial selection methods used in Wisconsin and other states. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about the court's work and the considerations involved in judicial decision-making.
Whitney Healy and Samuel Berg are appointed to the Outagamie County Circuit Court and Walworth County Circuit Court, respectively, bringing extensive legal experience and community involvement to their new judicial roles.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey A. Wagner will retire in March 2026, concluding more than four decades of public service, including 38 years on the circuit court bench.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has released updated privacy materials for judicial officers and candidates ahead of the December 1 start of nomination paper circulation for the 2026 Spring Election. The revised information sheet outlines the privacy protections available under state law, including judicial officer privacy protections and certification of residence.
WEC has also created a webpage that brings together all judicial privacy resources, including updated guidance, sample ballot access forms, and information for judicial officers, candidates, and protected family members. Judicial officers who plan to run for office or expect to participate in the circulation process are encouraged to review the updated information before December 1. All resources are available on WEC’s judicial privacy protection webpage, and questions may be directed to the Commission at 608-266-8005. The Director of State Courts Office has compiled additional judicial and court security resources on CourtNet.
The Wisconsin Court System is always looking for skilled professionals to support the work of our courts. Each month, we highlight positions available statewide. Click here to view current openings and learn more about career opportunities across Wisconsin’s courts.
Work continues on the new Pierce County judicial facility construction project. The county broke ground earlier this summer, marking the first new courthouse to be built in the county in more than a century. Read the previous story about the project here.
Watch live progress on the construction site here.
District Court Administrator Jon Bellows was recently honored as an “Unsung Hero” at the Wisconsin Law Journal’s 2025 Legal All-Star Awards in Milwaukee. He is pictured after the event with his wife and Holly Szablewski, Deputy Director of State Courts. Read more about his recognition and service to the 4th Judicial District.
