--- title: "Rudolph Thomas Randa | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rudolph-thomas-randa-2658" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Rudolph Thomas Randa U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin · Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin - State: Wisconsin - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, District Court, E.D. Wisconsin, 1992-present - Attorney, Office of the Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1969-present - U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Wisconsin (1992–2016), appointed by President George H. W. Bush - Rudolph Thomas Randa (1940–2016) was a distinguished American judge who served on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin for 24 years, including as Chief Judge from 2002 to 2009. - Judge, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, 1982-1992 - Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge (1979–1981, 1982–1992) - Judge, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, 1983-1985 - Judge, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, 1979-1981 - Judge, Milwaukee Wisconsin Municipal Court, 1975-1979 - Legacy: Judge Randa was remembered for his judicial integrity, community service, and dedication to both state and federal justice, leaving a lasting impact on the legal community in Wisconsin ### Education - University of Wisconsin Law School — J.D. (1966) - University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee as a distinguished military graduate — B.S. (1963) - Riverside University High School ### Additional information - He was married to Melinda Nancy Matera since 1977, and they had two sons, Rudolph Daniel and Daniel Anthony. - He assumed senior status on February 5, 2016, and his service ended on September 5, 2016 due to his death from brain cancer. - Nominated on April 9, 1992 and confirmed by the Senate on August 11, 1992 to succeed Robert W. Warren. - Fourth Judicial District, 1983-1985 - First Judicial District, 1981-1982 - Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District I (1981–1982) - Principal city attorney, Milwaukee, WI, 1973-1975 - Milwaukee City Attorney (1970–1975) - Assistant city attorney, Milwaukee, WI, 1970-1973 - From 1967 to 1969, Randa held the role of a Captain and Company Commander in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (5 campaign stars), National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. - Private practice, Milwaukee, WI, 1966-1967 - Born July 25, 1940 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Randa graduated from Riverside High School with honors and as class president. - Date of birth: 1940-01-01 - Nominated by Senator Robert Kasten and appointed by President George Bush to succeed Judge Robert Warren, who moved to senior status. - Randa was active in community and professional organizations, including the Milwaukee Bar Association, Wisconsin Impact, and the Thomas More Society. - Birth place: Milwaukee, WI ## 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/2658/rudolph-thomas-randa/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2658/rudolph-thomas-randa/) - [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2658/rudolph-thomas-randa/) - [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/2658/rudolph-thomas-randa/) - [Randa, Rudolph Thomas | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/randa-rudolph-thomas) - [Wisconsin Court System - Judge Rudolph T. Randa](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/appeals/judges/retired/randa.htm) - [Wikidata: Rudolph T. Randa](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7377459) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rudolph-thomas-randa-2658", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/rudolph-thomas-randa-2658", "name": "Rudolph Thomas Randa | KnowJudges", "description": "Rudolph Thomas Randa, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. 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