Ellen K. Berz at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ellen K. Berz
Judge · Dane County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Ellen K. Berz is a judge of Branch 11 of the Dane County Circuit Court in Madison, Wisconsin, serving since 2012 and re‐elected in 2024, with her current term ending August 1, 2030
- Her legal career began as Assistant District Attorney for Eau Claire County until 1985, followed by service in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office in Baraboo, where she became Director of the Trial Division (1990–2012).
- She also held the role of a criminal justice representative to former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, taught at UW–Madison Law School, and acted as a union‐designated legal observer during the 2011 Capitol demonstrations
Education
- Berz is a Wisconsin native who obtained a B.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1979 and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School in 1983.
Additional information
- Elections: Elected in 2012; re‐elected in 2018 and again in April 2024
- She later completed the John F. Kennedy School’s Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University in 1999.
- Practice: Handles general criminal cases in her jurisdiction
- Berz has been active in professional organizations, including the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, American Council of Chief Defenders, and Justice Without Borders.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera Notice
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.
the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advanceWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Courtroom Equipment Control
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control.
Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be usedWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions.
The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Statewide
Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access.
Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Dane County Circuit Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster ↗Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗