--- title: "Peter A. Oppeneer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-a-oppeneer-9648" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Peter A. Oppeneer U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin · Magistrate ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin - State: Wisconsin - Role: Magistrate - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Oppeneer held the role of a Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin from July 23, 2009 until his retirement in 2021 - Before joining the federal judiciary, Oppeneer held a position as a career law clerk to Judge John C. Shabaz from 1978 to 2008. - Also the court clerk for the Western District Court during his tenure - He then became the clerk of court for the Western District Court in Madison, Wisconsin - Oppeneer’s legal practice areas included corporate law, sports law, agricultural law, wills and probate, internet law, class actions, labor and employment law, domestic violence, elder law, education law, and constitutional law ### Education - University of Wisconsin — J.D. (1985) - B.B.A. — University of Wisconsin, 1982 ### Additional information - Magistrate, District Court, W.D. Wisconsin, 2009-present - Admitted to the Wisconsin Bar in 1985 - Magistrate judges in this district are appointed by the district’s judges to renewable eight‐year terms. - He has been recognized for his professional excellence, with AV Preeminent® peer ratings and multiple client and professional awards. ## 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/9648/peter-a-oppeneer/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9648/peter-a-oppeneer/) - [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9648/peter-a-oppeneer/) - [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/9648/peter-a-oppeneer/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-a-oppeneer-9648", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/peter-a-oppeneer-9648", "name": "Peter A. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.