--- title: "R. Michael Waterman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-michael-waterman-judge-st-croix-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # R. Michael Waterman St. Croix County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: St. Croix 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/r-michael-waterman-judge-st-croix-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-michael-waterman-judge-st-croix-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "R. 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Michael Waterman", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-michael-waterman-judge-st-croix-county-circuit-court-wi" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Lawyer: Shareholder at Mudge Porter Lundeen & Seguin (1995–2015) - Judge of the St. Croix County Circuit Court in Wisconsin’s Tenth Judicial District, serving in Branch IV - Practice Areas: Civil litigation (insurance defense, appeals), real estate disputes, business transactions, contracts - Volunteer judge for Hamline University and State Bar of Wisconsin Mock Trial Programs - Teaching: Adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law ### Education - Mitchell Hamline School of Law — J.D. (1995) - Muhlenberg College — B.A. (1992) ### Additional information - Jackson Raymond‐Lee Will, both filed November 15, 2024. - Elected: To a full six‐year term in April 2016. - Appointed: April 10, 2015, by former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Hon. Howard Cameron. - Recipient of the President’s Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin (2012). - Cascade Stone Co. (2005 WI) - Recent Cases: Presides over active criminal matters, such as State of Wisconsin vs. - Austin Jay Groth and State of Wisconsin vs. - Notable Case: Linden v. - representing West Bend Mutual Insurance Company; the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed the economic loss doctrine in construction disputes. - Current Court: St. Croix County Circuit Court, Branch IV, with Judicial Assistant Andrea Ruschmeyer. - President, Hudson Lions Club (Sunrise Branch) - High School: Eden Prairie High School. - Office of Lawyer Regulation, District 8 Investigation Committee. - Member, Western Wisconsin Photography Club, Wild River Triathlon Club, YMCA of St. Croix Valley - Youth sports coach (basketball, soccer, baseball) ## 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.