William S. Pocan at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
William S. Pocan
Judge · Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- William S. Pocan Jr. is a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Milwaukee County, appointed in 2006, and currently serves as Deputy Chief Judge of the First Judicial District, with a recent 2025 re‐election to his current term through 2031
- Pocan has been a judge on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 26 since July 14, 2006, appointed by then‐Governor Jim Doyle to fill the vacancy left by Michael P. Sullivan
- In 2020, he was appointed Deputy Chief Judge of the First Judicial District of Wisconsin circuit courts
- Before joining the judiciary, Pocan held a position as an associate at Brookhouse & Brookhouse (1984–1985) and Jastroch & LaBarge (1985–2006).
- Long‐serving Wisconsin circuit court judge with a background in private legal practice, current leadership as Deputy Chief Judge, and a recent successful re‐election
Education
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Law School — J.D. (1984)
- University of Wisconsin–Parkside — B.A. (1981)
Additional information
- In 2025, he won re‐election in the general election, securing his term until August 1, 2031.
- The nomination was returned to the President in January 2023 without a hearing.
- On December 15, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Pocan to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, but his nomination was blocked from a Senate hearing by Senator Ron Johnson’s withholding of his blue slip in February 2022.
- He was later elected to a full six‐year term in 2007 and re‐elected twice without opposition.
- He was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1984 and to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin the same year.
- Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1961, Pocan graduated early from Mary D. Bradford High School
- Over his career, Pocan has presided over juvenile, civil, and felony cases, and has also handled family law matters.
- Recent filings show him presiding over paternity and child support cases in Milwaukee County.
- His career spans over two decades in state court, and he has sought a federal judgeship but has not yet been confirmed.
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
Milwaukee 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 ↗