March 17, 2023 – The Wisconsin Supreme Court has re-elected Chief Justice Annette Ziegler to a second two-year term as chief justice.
“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the court system and the people of Wisconsin,” Chief Justice Ziegler said in a press release issued on March 16. “I am fortunate to work with a group of very talented and passionate people, who understand and appreciate the role of the courts in our justice system and in our form of government.”
Ziegler, who won election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2007, was elected chief justice in 2021.
According to the press release, Justice Patience Roggensack, who served as chief justice from 2015 to 2021, nominated Ziegler for a second term.
“Chief Justice Ziegler has provided outstanding service to the judicial system,” Roggensack said.
Justice Roggensack’s sentiments second those of State Bar of Wisconsin Executive Director Larry Martin, who introduced Chief Justice Ziegler before the State Bar Board of Governor’s meeting in December 2022.
“Chief Justice Ziegler has been a leader in addressing the extraordinary challenges experienced by our court system during the pandemic,” Martin said in December. “In addition, she has led the legal community in addressing the heightened awareness of security for all the system’s participants and the ongoing staff shortages, particularly in the ranks of court reporters.”
“The State Bar greatly appreciates and values the strong relationship we’ve had with the Chief Justice and the Court and looks forward to continuing our partnership in furthering justice in Wisconsin,” Martin said.
Jeff M. Brown , Willamette Univ. School of Law 1997, is a legal writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. He can be reached by
email or by phone at (608) 250-6126.
Chief Justice Ziegler holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and business administration from Hope College in Michigan; she received her law degree from Marquette University.
Chief Justice Ziegler is a former circuit court judge and assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. In 1992 and 1996, she served as a pro bono special assistant district attorney in Milwaukee County.
Under a constitutional amendment enacted by Wisconsin voters in 2015, the chief justice is selected by a majority of the seven-member supreme court. Prior to enactment of the constitutional amendment, the chief justiceship was decided by seniority.
Chief Justice Ziegler’s new term will begin on May 1, 2023.
