Stephen Ehlke at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Stephen Ehlke
Judge · Dane County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Stephen E. Ehlke is a nonpartisan judge for Branch 15 of the Dane County Circuit Court in Madison, Wisconsin, appointed in 2009 and re‐elected in 2022, with a career that includes service as Assistant U.S. Attorney and Dane County District Attorney
- Stephen E. Ehlke was appointed to the Dane County Circuit Court by former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle in 2009, filling a vacancy after the retirement of Judge Stuart Schwartz.
- He previously held the role of Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin from 2000 to 2009
- Before that, he was Assistant District Attorney for Dane County (1988–1991) and later worked in private practice in insurance defense at Bell, Metzner & Gierhart.
Education
- B.A. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1984 and a J.D. in 1987 from the same school.
Additional information
- In May 2026, the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates named Ehlke Trial Judge of the Year, citing his professionalism and preservation of the civil jury trial.
- handling both civil and criminal matters.
- Room: 7109, Dane County Courthouse, 215 S. Hamilton St., Madison, WI 53703
- He resides in Madison with his wife, Rachelle Weber.
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
Dane 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 ↗