--- title: "Shirley S. Abrahamson | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-s-abrahamson-6045" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Shirley S. Abrahamson Wisconsin Supreme Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Wisconsin Supreme Court, 1976-present - Shirley S. Abrahamson (1933–2020) was the first woman to serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, holding the bench for 43 years and serving as its Chief Justice for 19 years - Retired in 2019, making her the longest-serving justice in Wisconsin’s history and one of the longest in the U.S - On August 1, 1996, she became the court’s first female Chief Justice, serving until April 29, 2015 - Appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1976 by Governor Patrick Lucey, she became the court’s first female justice - The first woman hired by a private Madison law firm in 1962, later becoming a partner - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg praised her as “the most courageous and sage” jurist - In summary: Shirley S. Abrahamson was a trailblazer in the American judiciary, breaking gender barriers, shaping Wisconsin’s legal landscape, and leaving a lasting legacy of judicial leadership and advocacy for justice ### Education - In 1962, she completed a S.J.D. in American legal history from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, writing her dissertation on Wisconsin’s dairy industry. - Indiana University Maurer School of Law in — J.D. (1956) - Doctor of Juridical Science — University of Wisconsin Law School — LL.M. ### Additional information - She married Seymour Abrahamson in 1953; he died in 2016. - She received numerous honors, including the American Judicature Society’s Dwight D. Opperman Award (2004) and the ABA’s John Marshall Award (2010). - She won election in 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2009. - Initially appointed to the bench by Democratic Governor Patrick Lucey in 1976 and was subsequently elected to 10-year terms in 1979, 1989, 1999, and 2009. - Practitioner, 1975-1975 - prof, 1975-1975 - She graduated from Hunter College High School in 1950, obtained a B.A. in political science from New York University in 1953, and a J.D. from Indiana University Law School in 1956, graduating valedictorian. - Born Shirley Schlanger on December 17, 1933, in New York City to Polish Jewish immigrants Leo and Ceil Schlanger, she grew up in New York and New Jersey. - Date of birth: 1933-12-17 - Past president of the National Conference of Chief Justices and chaired the National Center for State Courts’ board. - She taught constitutional law and political science at UW–Madison Law School and headed the Madison office of the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union. - Abrahamson authored 535 majority, 493 dissenting, and 326 concurring opinions during her tenure. - She is survived by her son, Daniel. - Birth place: Manhattan ## 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/6045/shirley-s-abrahamson/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6045/shirley-s-abrahamson/) - [Wisconsin Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6045/shirley-s-abrahamson/) - [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/6045/shirley-s-abrahamson/) - [Wisconsin Court System - Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/supreme/justices/retired/abrahamson.htm) - [Shirley Abrahamson](https://ballotpedia.org/Shirley_Abrahamson) - [Wikidata: Shirley Abrahamson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7498683) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-s-abrahamson-6045", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-s-abrahamson-6045", "name": "Shirley S. Abrahamson | KnowJudges", "description": "Shirley S. Abrahamson, Wisconsin Supreme 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/shirley-s-abrahamson-6045#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/shirley-s-abrahamson-6045#judge", "name": "Shirley S. 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