--- title: "M. Joseph Donald | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-joseph-donald-wi-court-of-appeals" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # M. Joseph Donald Wisconsin Court of Appeals · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Wisconsin Court of Appeals - State: Wisconsin - Role: Chief 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/appeals/judges/index.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/index.htm) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/index.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) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-joseph-donald-wi-court-of-appeals", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/m-joseph-donald-wi-court-of-appeals", "name": "M. Joseph Donald | KnowJudges", "description": "M. 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Joseph” Donald is the Chief Judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and a judge for District I of the court, a position he assumed on April 22, 2026 - 2015–2019: Deputy Chief Judge, Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Credited with creating Milwaukee County’s Drug Treatment Court in 2009 and held the role of its first judge - 1988–1989: Law clerk, Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Official site: Wisconsin Court System – Chief Judge Joseph M. Donald ### Education - Marquette University Law School — J.D. (1988) - (Philosophy), Marquette University — B.A. (1982) ### Additional information - His current term runs until July 31, 2032. - Tony Evers in 2019; re‐elected in 2026). - Tommy Thompson in 1996; elected in 1997, 2003, 2009, 2015). - 1989–1996: Assistant City Attorney, City of Milwaukee - handling tax foreclosures, bankruptcies, property tax assessments, unemployment compensation, and administrative hearings. - He also presided over the Vel Phillips Juvenile Justice Center Children’s Court and the Healthy Infant Court. - He has also served on the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership Council, the Governor’s Task Force to Enhance Probation and Parole, and the Marquette Law School Alumni Board. - Donald grew up in Milwaukee and Shorewood, Wisconsin, and was mentored by Hon. Richard D. Cudahy, a U.S. 7th Circuit judge, whose family he was closely connected to. - Outside the courtroom, Donald enjoys theater, reading, basketball, local history, and cooking. - He is married to Ann and has three children.