--- title: "Cynthia M. Davis | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cynthia-m-davis-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Cynthia M. Davis Milwaukee County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Milwaukee County Circuit Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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/circuit/judges.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cynthia-m-davis-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cynthia-m-davis-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Cynthia M. 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Davis is a judge for Branch 21 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, appointed in 2016 and re‐elected in 2023, with her current term ending August 1, 2029 - Adjunct associate professor at Marquette University Law School since 2016 - Assistant District Attorney (2011–2016) in Milwaukee County, working in drug, domestic violence, child protection, and sensitive crimes units - Associate at Foley & Lardner LLP (2007–2011) in business litigation and commercial transactions - Judicial Clerk for Justice David T. Prosser, Wisconsin Supreme Court (2006–2007) - Former intern for Judge Mary Kuhnmünch, Milwaukee County Circuit Court ### Education - in Economics and French — DePauw University — B.A. (2002) - Marquette University Law School — J.D. ### Additional information - Davis has presided over a variety of courts, including domestic violence court and multiple treatment courts — adult drug treatment court, veterans treatment court, and mental health pilot court — since 2019 - Term ends: August 1, 2029 - Re‐elected: April 4, 2023, winning 98.8% of the vote - In a 2021 Wisconsin Lawyer article, Davis reflected on her work in treatment courts, emphasizing “therapeutic jurisprudence” — the idea that courts can be change agents in health and wellness — and her personal motivation from her father’s battle with cancer, which inspired her interest in healing and yoga - Appointed: February 18, 2016, by Governor Scott Walker - She has also handled 27 jury trials and prosecuted about 417 cases in her legal career ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-36fa3f826227447b1512eede) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099). Collected 2026-07-26.