Third Branch eNews

Adams County Circuit Court Judge Tania M. Bonnett has been appointed deputy chief judge of Wisconsin’s Seventh Judicial Administrative District.

Chief Judge Scott Horne appointed Judge Bonnett to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of former Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Todd L. Ziegler to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Judge Ziegler had served as deputy chief judge since 2023.

“We are very fortunate in District Seven to have many judges who are not only extremely competent trial judges, but who go the extra step to help improve the overall administration of justice,” Chief Judge Horne said. “Judge Bonnett has been recognized for her work to improve our response to crime victims and jurors who experience trauma through their service to the community. She is well-respected by her peers and will bring a spirit of innovation to improving our system of justice.”

As deputy chief judge, Judge Bonnett will assist Chief Judge Horne with administrative matters involving the district and may act on his behalf when needed. The Seventh Judicial District includes 15 counties across western and central Wisconsin.

Judge Bonnett has served as Adams County Circuit Court Branch 2 judge since August 2022, when she took the bench as the first judge elected to the county’s newly created second circuit court branch. Before becoming a judge, she served as Adams County district attorney.

Judge Bonnett has also been involved in statewide work related to crime victims, domestic violence, and trauma experienced by jurors. She is an appointee to the Wisconsin Crime Victims Council and has participated in statewide education on domestic violence. In 2024, she joined End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin Associate Director Milly Gonzalez in leading the opening plenary at the Wisconsin Summit on Domestic Violence.

Her work in Adams County has also included public education and criminal justice collaboration. Judge Bonnett chairs the Adams County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and has organized the county’s Criminal Justice Day, which gave eighth-grade students an introduction to the justice system through mock proceedings and conversations with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and court staff.