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title: "Annette Kingsland Ziegler | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/annette-k-ziegler-6080"
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updated: "2026-08-22"
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# Annette Kingsland Ziegler

Wisconsin Supreme Court · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
- State: Wisconsin
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- American lawyer and jurist who has served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court since 2007 and was its 27th Chief Justice from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2025
- Judge, Wisconsin Supreme Court, 2007-present
- In summary: Annette Kingsland Ziegler is a seasoned Wisconsin Supreme Court justice with a long judicial career, a conservative judicial philosophy, and a planned retirement in 2027, leaving an open seat on the court
- She became Chief Justice in 2021, a role she held until April 2025
- The first female jurist in Washington County and held the role of deputy chief judge for the Third Judicial District and presiding judge of Washington County for six years

### Education

- Marquette University Law School — J.D. (1989)

### Additional information

- Ziegler announced in March 2026 that she will serve out her current term until July 31, 2027, but will not seek re-election.
- Urmanski (2025), where she criticized a majority opinion for “placing personal preference over the constitutional roles of the three branches”.
- She has received multiple honors, including Marquette Law School Alumna of the Year (2019) and Hope College’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2014).
- In 2007, she was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, succeeding Jon P. Wilcox, and reelected in 2017.
- Ziegler was appointed to the Washington County Circuit Court in 1997 by Governor Tommy Thompson, later elected to a full term in 1998 and reelected in 2004.
- Born March 6, 1964, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Date of birth: 1964-01-01
- Private practice civil litigator
- Regarded as a conservative jurist.
- She cited a desire to spend more time with her family after “three decades on the bench”.
- Her judicial writing emphasizes original public meaning, the whole-act rule, and careful separation-of-powers analysis.
- She has authored significant opinions and dissents, such as in Kaul v.
- She remains active in legal and civic life, serving on the Marquette University Law School Advisory Board and in various professional organizations, including the American Bar Association and American Law Institute.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### camera notice

Scope: statewide

Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.

Evidence excerpt: the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advance

[Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### courtroom equipment control

Scope: statewide

Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control.

Evidence excerpt: Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be used

[Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing notice

Scope: statewide

Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions.

Evidence excerpt: The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone.

[Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing technology

Scope: statewide

Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access.

Evidence excerpt: Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible.

[Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/)
- [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/)
- [Wisconsin Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6080/annette-k-ziegler/)
- [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099)
- [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6080/annette-k-ziegler/)

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