--- title: "Brian W. Blanchard | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-w-blanchard-8475" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # Brian W. Blanchard Wisconsin Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Wisconsin Court of Appeals - State: Wisconsin - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Nonpartisan judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District IV, serving since 2010 and currently set to retire in November 2026 after 16 years on the bench. - Judge, Court of Appeals of Wisconsin, 2010-present - Dane County District Attorney: 2001–2010 - Assistant U.S. Attorney: Criminal Division, Northern District of Illinois, 1990–1997 - Early Career: Reporter for The Miami Herald (1980–1986); law clerk to Hon. Walter J. Cummings, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (1989–1990) - Official bio: Wisconsin Court System – Judge Brian W. Blanchard ### Education - Northwestern University School of Law; editor‐in‐chief of the Northwestern University Law Review — J.D. (1989) - University of Michigan — B.A. (1980) - Northwestern State University of Louisiana — J.D. ### Additional information - Retirement: Announced retirement effective November 8, 2026, after 16 years on the court - Practitioner, 2009-2009 - legis, 2009-2009 - Private Practice: Civil attorney in Madison, 1997–2000 - Date of birth: 1958-11-07 - Vice Chair, Wisconsin Judicial Council; former Chair of Criminal Procedure and Appellate Procedure Committees - Active in legal education and public service initiatives - Board member, State Bar of Wisconsin Appellate Practice Section ## 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/appeals/judges/index.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/index.htm) - [Wisconsin Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/index.htm) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8475/brian-w-blanchard/) - [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/8475/brian-w-blanchard/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-w-blanchard-8475", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brian-w-blanchard-8475", "name": "Brian W. 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