Kristela L. Cervera at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kristela L. Cervera
Judge · Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Kristela L. Cervera is a judge for Branch 5 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, appointed in 2021 and re‐elected in 2022, with a background in family law, child support enforcement, and community legal services.
- Assistant Family Court Commissioner (2019–2021).
- Legal Counsel, Milwaukee County Department of Child Support Services (2005–2019)
- Court Commissioner, Milwaukee Municipal Court (2006–2014), first Latina appointed to the role
- Assistant District Attorney, Kenosha County (2002–2003)
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School — J.D. (2001)
- in Journalism, University of Wisconsin–Madison — B.A. (1998)
- Divorce Mediation Training, Northwestern University School of Professionalism Studies.
Additional information
- Her term runs until August 1, 2028.
- Re‐elected: April 5, 2022, in a nonpartisan general election, winning 98.5% of the vote.
- Past president of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association and was named Hispanic Woman of the Year by United Migrant Opportunity Services in 2021.
- Appointed: October 29, 2021, by Governor Tony Evers to replace Hon. Brett R. Blomme (Ret.).
- Managing Attorney, Esperanza Unida, Inc. (2003–2005) — nonprofit supporting Latino workers.
- Cervera serves in Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Department Branch 5, Room 2425, in the First Judicial District of Wisconsin.
- Cervera has extensive experience in family law, child support enforcement, and community legal services, often working with Spanish‐speaking, low‐income, and undocumented individuals.
- She presides over family law matters such as paternity, divorce, child support, contempt, and domestic violence/harassment injunctions, as well as certain criminal forfeiture cases.
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 ↗