Samantha S. Wagner at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Samantha S. Wagner
Judge · Brown County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Wisconsin circuit court judge appointed in August 2024 to Branch 4 of the Brown County Circuit Court, serving until July 31, 2025, and seeking election in April 2025
- Before joining the bench, Wagner was Lead Assistant Corporation Counsel for Brown County from 2012 to 2024.
Education
- She is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Law (JD, 2012) and the University of San Diego (BA in International Relations, 2008).
- Law School: Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
- Undergraduate: University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
Additional information
- Next Steps: Wagner is running for re-election in the April 2025 Wisconsin General Election.
- Governor Tony Evers appointed Wagner to fill the vacancy left by Judge Kendall M. Kelley’s resignation.
- Trustee for the Green Bay Area Catholic Education Board and president of the Wisconsin Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
- High School: Juan Diego Catholic High School, Draper, UT
- Also active in the Brown County Family Recovery Court and has held the role of the county’s HIPAA compliance officer and chair of the supervised release committee.
- Responsible for a range of cases, including child welfare, juvenile guardianships, termination of parental rights, and administrative appeals.
- In her own words, Wagner is committed to “continuous improvement, an eagerness to learn, and a resolve to make the most informed decisions possible,” and to uphold “fairness and equality” in the judiciary.
- In that role, she handled all child welfare cases, supervised legal work, and provided legal advice across human services, public health, and community programs.
- Bar: State Bar of Wisconsin
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera Notice
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.
the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advanceWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Courtroom Equipment Control
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control.
Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be usedWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions.
The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Statewide
Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access.
Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Brown County Circuit Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster ↗Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗