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Wisconsin Supreme Court

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Wisconsin Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest and final court of appeals in the state judicial system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. In addition to hearing appeals of lower Wisconsin court decisions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also has the option to take original jurisdiction of cases, and serves as a regulator and administrator of judicial conduct and the practice of law in Wisconsin. Justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court are elected. The two most recent elections (2023 and 2025) received national attention. They both broke records for the most expensive judicial elections in U.S. history.

Infobox

Established
1848
Jurisdiction
Wisconsin
Location
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison
Composition method
Non-partisan statewide election
Authorised by
Wis. Const., Art VII § 4
Appeals to
Supreme Court of the United States
Appeals from
mw- Wisconsin Court of AppealsWisconsin circuit courts
Judge term length
Ten years, no term limits
Number of positions
7
Website
Wisconsin Court System
Currently
Jill Karofsky
Since
July 1, 2025
Lead position ends
April 30, 2027

Tables

· Justices › Current justices
Jill Karofsky, Chief Justice
Jill Karofsky, Chief Justice
Name
Jill Karofsky, Chief Justice
Born
(1966-07-15) July 15, 1966 (age 59)
Start
August 1, 2020
Chief term
2025–present
Term ends
2030
Law school
Wisconsin
Annette Ziegler
2021
2021–2025
Annette Ziegler
Name
Annette Ziegler
Born
(1964-03-06) March 6, 1964 (age 61)
Start
August 1, 2007
Chief term
2021–2025
Term ends
2027
Law school
Marquette
Rebecca Bradley
Rebecca Bradley
Name
Rebecca Bradley
Born
(1971-08-02) August 2, 1971 (age 54)
Start
October 12, 2015
Chief term
–
Term ends
2026
Law school
Wisconsin
Rebecca Dallet
Rebecca Dallet
Name
Rebecca Dallet
Born
(1969-07-15) July 15, 1969 (age 56)
Start
August 1, 2018
Chief term
–
Term ends
2028
Law school
Case Western Reserve
Brian Hagedorn
Brian Hagedorn
Name
Brian Hagedorn
Born
(1978-01-21) January 21, 1978 (age 47)
Start
August 1, 2019
Chief term
–
Term ends
2029
Law school
Northwestern
Janet Protasiewicz
Janet Protasiewicz
Name
Janet Protasiewicz
Born
(1962-12-03) December 3, 1962 (age 63)
Start
August 1, 2023
Chief term
–
Term ends
2033
Law school
Marquette
Susan M. Crawford
Susan M. Crawford
Name
Susan M. Crawford
Born
(1965-03-01) March 1, 1965 (age 60)
Start
August 1, 2025
Chief term
–
Term ends
2035
Law school
Iowa
Name
Born
Start
Chief term
Term ends
Law school
Jill Karofsky, Chief Justice
(1966-07-15) July 15, 1966 (age 59)
August 1, 2020
2025–present
2030
Wisconsin
Annette Ziegler
(1964-03-06) March 6, 1964 (age 61)
August 1, 2007
2021–2025
2027
Marquette
Rebecca Bradley
(1971-08-02) August 2, 1971 (age 54)
October 12, 2015
–
2026
Wisconsin
Rebecca Dallet
(1969-07-15) July 15, 1969 (age 56)
August 1, 2018
–
2028
Case Western Reserve
Brian Hagedorn
(1978-01-21) January 21, 1978 (age 47)
August 1, 2019
–
2029
Northwestern
Janet Protasiewicz
(1962-12-03) December 3, 1962 (age 63)
August 1, 2023
–
2033
Marquette
Susan M. Crawford
(1965-03-01) March 1, 1965 (age 60)
August 1, 2025
–
2035
Iowa

References

  1. Terms end on April 30 of odd-numbered years.
  2. Terms end on July 31.
  3. Elected Chief Justice by peer vote on April 3, 2025 and took office July 1, 2025.
  4. Originally appointed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) after the death of Justice N. Patrick Crooks. Elected to a full term on Ap
  5. Wisconsin Court System
    https://www.wicourts.gov/news/view.jsp?id=1717
  6. See Wis. Const. Art. VII § 4 cl. 3, available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/unannotated_wisconst.pdf.
    http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/unannotated_wisconst.pdf
  7. WisPolitics
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/wispolitics-review-spending-in-supreme-court-race-nears-45-million/
  8. WisPolitics
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2025/250401supremecourt/
  9. Justice on Wheels. Wisconsin Court System. Accessed February 20, 2018.
    https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/resources/wheels.htm
  10. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-supreme-court-issuing-record-number-4-3-rulings
  11. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/justice/gov-walker-appoints-bradley-state-supreme-court
  12. Isthmus
    https://isthmus.com/news/news/wisconsin-supreme-court-bradley-retains-seat-but-referendum-passes/
  13. Wisconsin State Journal
    https://madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/chief-justice-shirley-abrahamson-sues-over-amendment-approved-by-voters/article_e448ebbb-f376-5a40-a2f0-ac0515b31ba3.html
  14. Wisconsin Court System
    https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/history/index.htm
  15. Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co., 556 U.S. 868 (2009).
    https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/08pdf/08-22.pdf
  16. wisciviljusticecouncil.org; accessed January 28, 2014.
    http://www.wisciviljusticecouncil.org/key-issues/legislative-report-special-legislative-committee-studies-judicial-discipline-and-recusal
  17. The Capital Times
    https://captimes.com/news/government/wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-changes-tune-on-recusals-she-opposed/article_fc5850ba-5650-5c6d-813c-df0d7bbdefbd.html
  18. ABC News
    https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/complaints-campaign-comments-wisconsin-supreme-court-justice-dismissed-102941446
  19. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    http://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/124546064.html
  20. Neither Prosser nor Bradley charged, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Accessed January 28, 2014.
    http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/128389748.html
  21. "Gableman joins recusals in Prosser discipline case; court now short of quorum"
    http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/165750116.html
  22. "Wisconsin Supreme Court rules Evers cannot postpone election"
    https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-election-moves-ahead-awaits-supreme-court/32018135#
  23. "Wisconsin Legislature v. Palm, 2020 WI 42"
    https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=260868
  24. Wisconsin State Journal
    https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-supreme-court-strikes-down-stay-at-home-order-dane-county-institutes-local-order/article_fd2be344-666f-5437-8955-f5cd9ae17a50.html
  25. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/13/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-results-daniel-kelly-vs-jill-karofsky-conservative-liberal/2983933001/
  26. State ex rel. Lamb v. Cunningham
    https://cite.case.law/wis/83/90/
  27. State ex rel. Thomson v. Zimmerman
    https://cite.case.law/wis/264/644/
  28. Wisconsin State Journal
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/70387597/reaction-to-court-remap/
  29. Fair Elections Project
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/fair-elections-project-statement-on-wi-supreme-court-decision-and-2021-redistricting
  30. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/blogs/wisconsin-voter/2018/12/06/wisconsin-gerrymandering-data-shows-stark-impact-redistricting/2219092002/
  31. Isthmus
    https://isthmus.com/news/news/dems-sweep-statewide-offices-in-midterms-but-remain-underrepresented-in-assembly/
  32. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/win-republicans-wisconsin-supreme-court-promises-least-changes-approach-redistricting
  33. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2022/03/03/wisconsin-supreme-courts-picks-evers-maps-redistricting-fight/9363175002/
  34. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/23/us/politics/supreme-court-wisconsin-redistricting.html
  35. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-supreme-court-chooses-maps-drawn-republicans-new-redistricting-decision
  36. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-supreme-court-overturns-republican-drawn-legislative-maps
  37. POLITICO
    https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/22/wisconsin-supreme-court-legislative-maps-00133135
  38. Wisconsin Courts
    https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/docs/portraitsofjustice.pdf
  39. Wisconsin Constitution ART. VII, §6, SECTION 9.
  40. Ballotpedia
    https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Question_2,_Judicial_Terms_of_Office_Amendment_(April_1953)
  41. Ballotpedia
    https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Question_2,_Unified_Court_System_Amendment_(April_1977)
  42. "Big Ten Primary"
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/273715764
  43. "Primary Election Date To Change"
    https://www.newspapers.com/image/404122154
  44. "Spending in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Totals More Than $4.3 Million"
    https://www.brennancenter.org/press-release/spending-wisconsin-supreme-court-race-totals-more-43-million
  45. Journal Sentinel
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/04/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-results-2023-janet-protasiewicz-daniel-kelly/70052928007/
  46. WISN-TV
    https://www.wisn.com/article/crawford-schimel-clash-over-musk-soros-money-in-59-million-court-race/64176457
  47. Liberal Jill Karofsky wins Wisconsin Supreme Court election, defeating conservative justice Daniel Kelly Milwaukee Journ
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/04/13/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-results-daniel-kelly-vs-jill-karofsky-conservative-liberal/2983933001/
  48. Wisconsin Public Radio
    https://www.wpr.org/health/jill-karofsky-wins-wisconsin-supreme-court-race-defeating-conservative-incumbent
  49. "Liberal Janet Protasiewicz declared winner over conservative Dan Kelly in closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race"
    https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/04/wisconsin-supreme-court-election-results-2023-janet-protasiewicz-daniel-kelly/70052928007/
  50. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/daniel-kelly-wisconsin-supreme-court-trump-fake-electors-rcna71276
  51. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/us/politics/wisconsin-supreme-court-race.html
  52. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/16/wisconsin-state-supreme-court-race-abortion-00077958
  53. WisPolitics.com
    https://www.wispolitics.com/2024/justice-ann-walsh-bradley-wont-seek-reelection-in-25-when-liberal-majority-will-be-on-the-line/
  54. NPR
    https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5345862/wisconsin-supreme-court-crawford-schimel-election-results
  55. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/01/wisconsin-supreme-court-race/
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