---
title: "Jean Marie Kies | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jean-marie-kies-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Jean Marie Kies

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)

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## 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.



## 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.
