--- title: "Ryan D. Nilsestuen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Ryan D. Nilsestuen Dane County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Dane 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/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Ryan D. Nilsestuen | KnowJudges", "description": "Ryan D. Nilsestuen, Dane County Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi#judge", "name": "Ryan D. Nilsestuen", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Dane County Circuit Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Wisconsin", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/wisconsin" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ryan D. Nilsestuen", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ryan-d-nilsestuen-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Nonpartisan judge for Branch 10 of the Dane County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, serving since January 15, 2023, with a term ending August 1, 2030 - Before becoming a judge, Nilsestuen held the role of Chief Legal Counsel to the Wisconsin Office of the Governor from 2019 to the present, and earlier as Chief Legal Counsel for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (2011–2019). - Governor Evers and Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet have praised Nilsestuen’s candor, dedication, empathy, and legal knowledge, noting his suitability for the bench ### Education - Law School: University of Wisconsin–Madison, cum laude ### Additional information - His current term runs until August 1, 2030. - He initially served a term ending July 31, 2024, but was re‐elected in the April 2, 2024 general election with 99.1% of the vote. - Appointed by Governor Tony Evers on December 22, 2022 to fill a vacancy created by Judge Juan Colás’ retirement. - overseeing pardons for hundreds of individuals. - Nilsestuen presides over Branch 10 of the Dane County Circuit Court, located at the Dane County Courthouse, 215 S. Hamilton St., Madison, WI. - He also chaired the Governor’s Pardon Advisory Board - His legal work spans administrative, constitutional, contract, criminal, elections, employment, and public records law. - His office is in Room 8107, and he can be reached at (608) 266‐4460. - He is assigned cases through the court’s rotation plan and handles a range of matters under Wisconsin circuit court jurisdiction. ## 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.