Jean Marie Kies at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Jean Marie Kies
Judge · Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Nonpartisan judge for Branch 45 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, serving since 2016 and currently assigned to the Civil Division
- Private practice: Operated the Law Offices of Jean M. Kies, S.C. (1993–present)
- Earlier roles: Associate at Sodos & Kafkas, S.C. (1992–1993); law clerk at Otjen Van Ert Lieb & Weir, S.C. (1990–1991)
Education
- Marquette University Law School — J.D. (1991)
- in Journalism: University of Wisconsin–Madison — B.A. (1988)
Additional information
- Judicial service: Elected to the bench in 2016; re‐elected in 2022 with 98.7% of the vote.
- Law clerkships: Polacheck & Harris, S.C. (1989–1990)
- Recent assignments: Civil cases including name change, consumer debt, and foreclosure matters
- Practice focus: State and federal criminal defense, business litigation, family and juvenile law, and appellate cases.
- Past president/secretary of the Music Parents Association at Whitefish Bay High School; co‐president of its Orchestra Boosters.
- Prior judicial work: Served in the Felony Division and has presided over misdemeanor, criminal traffic, domestic violence, and child abuse cases.
- Professional roles: Member of the State Judicial Conference Legislative Committee and the Milwaukee County Courts Access to Justice Committee; reviews eligible pardon applications for the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board.
- Volunteer with Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and Schroeder YMCA Swim Club.
- Active in Marquette University Law School events, including moot court competitions.
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
Milwaukee 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 ↗