--- title: "Jill J. Karofsky | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Jill J. Karofsky Wisconsin Supreme Court · Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: Chief Justice - 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/supreme/justices/) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/) - [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/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court", "name": "Jill J. Karofsky | KnowJudges", "description": "Jill J. Karofsky, Wisconsin Supreme Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court#judge", "name": "Jill J. Karofsky", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court", "jobTitle": "Chief Justice", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Wisconsin Supreme Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Wisconsin", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/wisconsin" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jill J. Karofsky", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/jill-j-karofsky-wi-supreme-court" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Karofsky has held the role of a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court since August 1, 2020, when she defeated incumbent Justice Daniel Kelly in a nonpartisan election - She became Chief Justice on July 1, 2025, and her term runs until July 31, 2030 - The 29th Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, elected in 2020 and assuming the role on July 1, 2025, after succeeding Ann Walsh Bradley. - Before becoming a Supreme Court justice, Karofsky was a Dane County Circuit Court judge (2017–2020). - Assistant District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney for Dane County - Assistant Attorney General and Wisconsin’s first Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor - Executive Director of the Wisconsin Office of Crime Victim Services - General Counsel and Director of Education & HR for the National Conference of Bar Examiners - Official site: Wisconsin Court System – Chief Justice Jill J. Karofsky ### Education - M.A. and J.D. in 1992 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison ### Additional information - Born July 15, 1966 in Middleton, Wisconsin, Karofsky is the daughter of former Middleton Mayor Judy Karofsky and pediatrician Peter Karofsky. - She has also served on multiple boards, including the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse and the Wisconsin Crime Victims Council. - She is a single mother of two children and an ultra-marathoner, having completed multiple marathons, ultramarathons, and Ironman events.