---
title: "Samantha S. Wagner | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/samantha-s-wagner-judge-brown-county-circuit-court-wi"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Samantha S. Wagner

Brown County Circuit Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Brown 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)

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## 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



## 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.
