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title: "Joan F. Kessler | KnowJudges"
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# Joan F. Kessler

Wisconsin Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Wisconsin Court of Appeals
- State: Wisconsin
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals of Wisconsin, 2004-present
- American lawyer and retired judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I, serving from 2004 until 2020
- Private Practice (1981–2004): Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, recognized as one of the top family law attorneys in the U.S..
- U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Wisconsin (1978–1981): Appointed by President Jimmy Carter; noted for her open-door policy with defense attorneys
- Private Practice (1969–1978): Worked in Milwaukee, specializing in family law.
- Law Clerk (1968–1969): Served U.S. District Judge John W. Reynolds, Jr., Eastern District of Wisconsin

### Education

- J.D., cum laude, from Marquette University Law School in 1968.
- University of Kansas — B.A.

### Additional information

- He died in 2024.
- Served until 2020, when she was succeeded by Maxine Aldridge White.
- Presiding Judge: 2018–2019
- In 2004, Kessler won a contested election to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I, unseating Charles B. Schudson.
- Practitioner, 2003-2003
- legis, 2003-2003
- She married Fred Kessler in 1966; he was a Wisconsin politician and judge.
- Born Joan Fowler, 1944.
- Date of birth: 1944
- Judicial Record: Authored 181 opinions, including 9 dissents and 12 concurrences; among her most cited is Malzewski v.
- Rapkin.
- In summary: Joan F. Kessler is a distinguished legal professional with a career spanning federal prosecution, private practice, and appellate judicial service, recognized for her contributions to family law and her leadership in Wisconsin’s legal community.
- Kessler was born in Louisiana and grew up in eastern Kansas.
- Kessler was a member of the American Bar Association, American Law Institute, and Seventh Circuit Bar Association.
- She chaired the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Arbitration Rules Committee and co-authored the Matrimonial Arbitration Handbook.
- She also held the role of chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors.
- Birth place: Louisiana

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8497/joan-f-kessler/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8497/joan-f-kessler/)
- [Court of Appeals of Wisconsin current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8497/joan-f-kessler/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8497/joan-f-kessler/)
- [Wisconsin Court System - Judge Joan F. Kessler](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/retired/kessler.htm)
- [Wikidata: Joan F. Kessler](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13560964)

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