--- title: "Martha J. Milanowski | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/martha-j-milanowski-judge-vilas-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Martha J. Milanowski Vilas County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Vilas County Circuit Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: 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/circuit/judges.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.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/martha-j-milanowski-judge-vilas-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/martha-j-milanowski-judge-vilas-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Martha J. 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Milanowski is a seasoned legal professional with a strong record in public service, now serving as Vilas County’s Circuit Court judge, with a term through 2028, and a focus on both legal justice and community well‐being - Judge of the Vilas County Circuit Court in Wisconsin’s Ninth Judicial District, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in 2021 to replace retiring Judge Neal A. Nielsen III - Served two terms as Vilas County District Attorney (2017–2021), prosecuting state criminal laws, county ordinances, delinquency cases, and other referrals - Worked 16 years as Vilas County Corporation Counsel - Judge in Department Branch I of the Vilas County Circuit Court ### Education - in, University of Wisconsin Law School Admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in, and to the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin — J.D. (1998) - in, University of Wisconsin–Madison — B.A. (1992) ### Additional information - Appointed September 1, 2021 and elected to a six‐year term on April 5, 2022, which runs through July 31, 2028. - handling legal matters for the county board, child protective services, guardianships, mental health commitments, zoning, and more. - Earlier in her career, she was a tribal attorney for the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and an associate attorney in Rhinelander, WI. - handling a broad range of cases including civil, criminal, traffic forfeiture, and small claims matters. - Milanowski has stated she aims to follow the law, address underlying issues such as mental health and substance abuse, and serve the community effectively. - She is also a founding board member of the Northwoods Land Trust and an active member of the Woodland Strings Orchestra. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-36fa3f826227447b1512eede) — 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](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099). Collected 2026-07-26.