--- title: "Kitty K. Brennan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kitty-k-brennan-8477" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Kitty K. Brennan 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, 2008-present - American lawyer and retired judge who served on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I from 2008 to 2019 - Court of Appeals: Appointed by Governor Jim Doyle to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I in 2008 after the death of Judge Ted E. Wedemeyer Jr. - Chief Judge: Appointed Chief Judge of the 1st Judicial District in 2005, later reappointed for a second term in 2007 - Judge of the Year (2006) by the State Bar of Wisconsin for leadership in advancing justice and judicial quality - Circuit Court Judge: Elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 1994, re-elected in 2000 and 2006, and served in the civil division - Private practice: From 1984 to 1994, she practiced law with Murphy & Brennan in South Milwaukee ### Education - J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School (1977), Brennan held a position as Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County (1977–1984). - Early career: After earning her B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (1972) ### Additional information - Retirement: Retired September 6, 2019, succeeded by Judge Joe Donald. - Brennan authored 113 published opinions on the Court of Appeals (2008–2019), plus 4 dissents and 1 concurrence, with Kirk v. - She was re-elected in 2009 and 2015, and held the role of Presiding Judge from 2016 to 2018. - Credit Acceptance Corp. (2013) being her most cited case. - Appointed to the court by Democratic Governor Jim Doyle on August 21, 2008. - Practitioner, 2007-2007 - Born May 17, 1950, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Date of birth: 1950-05-17 - handling large claims, civil, and probate cases. - Active in the State Bar of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Bar Association, Association for Women Lawyers, and various judicial committees. - Brennan is married to Joseph G. Murphy and has four children. - She enjoys family activities, jogging, and reading. ## 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/8477/kitty-k-brennan/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8477/kitty-k-brennan/) - [Court of Appeals of Wisconsin current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8477/kitty-k-brennan/) - [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/8477/kitty-k-brennan/) - [Wisconsin Court System - Judge Kitty K. Brennan](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/retired/brennan.htm) - [Kitty Brennan - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Kitty_Brennan) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kitty-k-brennan-8477", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kitty-k-brennan-8477", "name": "Kitty K. Brennan | KnowJudges", "description": "Kitty K. Brennan, Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kitty-k-brennan-8477#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kitty-k-brennan-8477#judge", "name": "Kitty K. 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