Members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls during the Court’s Justice on Wheels visit on October 13.
Volume 5 | Issue 10 | October 2026
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in seven cases during October, including two at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls as part of its Justice on Wheels program.
Judge Ziegler’s investiture held at State Capitol
Judge Todd L. Ziegler took the oath of office before Chief Justice Jill Karofsky in the Wisconsin State Capitol’s Senate Chamber on October 16, celebrating his move to the District IV Court of Appeals after nearly two decades on the Monroe County bench.
During his time on the circuit court, Judge Ziegler served as presiding judge and deputy chief judge of the Seventh Judicial District. Before joining the bench, he worked in private practice and clerked for Court of Appeals Judge Gordon Myse. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Kathryn Schmidt has been appointed to Monroe County Circuit Court Branch 1, succeeding Judge Todd Ziegler following his appointment to the Court of Appeals.
Jacquelynn B. Rothstein will retire in late November after nearly 17 years as executive director and general counsel of the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners.
Participants at the Summit on Domestic Violence and Child Welfare, held October 15–16 in Oshkosh, discuss ways to improve coordination among courts, child welfare agencies, and community partners.
Participants at the Wisconsin Statewide Sequential Intercept Model Mapping Summit worked across justice, behavioral health, and community systems to identify service gaps, strengthen coordination, and develop priorities for improving responses to people with mental health and substance use disorders.
Seventh Judicial District judges gathered October 1–2 in Wisconsin Dells for training and to share updates and accomplishments from courts across the district.
The Wisconsin Clerks of Circuit Court Association elected officers for 2027–2028 and recognized 14 retiring clerks during its October 7–9 fall conference in Oshkosh.
Bridget Mauerman, Director of the Children’s Court Improvement Program, and Kristen Wetzel, CCIP Legal Advisor, have been named 2026 Wisconsin Law Journal Legal All-Star honorees.
Former Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley receives Goldberg Distinguished Service Award
Former Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley received the Wisconsin Law Foundation’s Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award on October 15. The award honors a State Bar of Wisconsin member for a lifetime of service to the legal profession and the public, recognizing both accomplishments in the law and contributions to the community.
The award is named for Charles L. Goldberg, a former State Bar and Milwaukee Bar Association president who helped advance free legal services for people unable to afford an attorney. Its recipients reflect that commitment to service beyond their professional responsibilities.
Justice Bradley retired in July 2025 after 40 years of judicial service, including 10 years on the Marathon County Circuit Court and 30 years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. First elected to the Supreme Court in 1995, she served as chief justice during the final year of her tenure.
Justice Protasiewicz joins ‘Across the Bench’ conversation at NAMWOLF meeting
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janet C. Protasiewicz joined Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., for “Across the Bench: A Conversation with Two State Supreme Court Justices” October 11 in Chicago.
The general session was part of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) Annual Meeting, held October 11–14 at Swissôtel Chicago. The meeting brought together law firm attorneys, in-house counsel, and other legal professionals from across the country for educational programming and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
This year’s meeting marked NAMWOLF’s 25th anniversary. Founded in 2001, the organization promotes diversity in the legal profession by supporting minority- and women-owned law firms and helping them build relationships with corporate legal departments.
Justice Crawford meets with students in her hometown
Justice Susan Crawford returned to Chippewa Falls High School, her alma mater, to meet with students on October 13. The afternoon visit followed the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Justice on Wheels oral arguments at the Heyde Center for the Arts.
For Justice Crawford, who grew up in Chippewa Falls, the visit brought her back to the school she once attended. Students had an opportunity to meet and ask questions of a member of the state’s highest court who shares their connection to the school and community.
Brewers pride at the Judicial Council
With the Brewers celebrating their first World Series championship, Justice Brian Hagedorn's baseball loyalties are no mystery. A Christian Yelich bobblehead had a place at his table during the October 16 Judicial Council meeting.
Judicial impartiality is essential. Baseball loyalties are another matter.
Elementary students get a lesson in courts
Third graders at Van Hise Elementary School in Madison recently learned about courts and judges during a visit with retired Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.
Justice Bradley read “Shirley for Justice” and spoke with students about former Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson. Before the reading, students were challenged to spot Justice Bradley in the book’s illustrations. When they found her, one boy noticed that her illustrated counterpart was also wearing a judicial robe: “And she’s wearing the same outfit!”
Students also took part in a library-themed activity, decorating their own library cards and using a large date stamp like those used to stamp court filings.
OLR offers November education programs
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) will continue its educational programming in November with an in-person Ethics School session and two virtual programs.
OLR’s final Ethics School session of the year will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. November 5 at Western Technical College in La Crosse. The program covers OLR procedures and SCR Chapter 22, communication and other ethical obligations, and disciplinary rules and precedent.
Attorney Tracy Kepler will present “Perfect as the Enemy of Good: Strategies for Combating Perfectionism & the Fear of Mistakes” from noon to 1 p.m. November 10. The free program is open to attorneys, paralegals, and students and has been approved for one LAU credit.
OLR will also present its free Annual Trust Account Update webinar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. November 13. Topics will include trust account basics, payment fraud and scams, recordkeeping, closing trust accounts, and current issues including flat fees, restitution of unearned fees, and billing implications for lawyers using artificial intelligence.
Registration information for the November 13 webinar is available through the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation LinkedIn page.
Waukesha County court officials signed a steel beam before it was raised into place as part of the courthouse modernization project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
This month, we recognize five colleagues and thank them for their continued service to Wisconsin’s courts and the people they serve.
A career in the Wisconsin Court System offers more than employment. It’s an opportunity to serve your community and grow professionally. Each month, we feature current job openings from across the state, highlighting paths for career development within the court system. Browse this month’s listings and consider sharing them with others who may be interested.
