--- title: "William S. Pocan | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-s-pocan-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # William S. Pocan Milwaukee County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Milwaukee 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. ## 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. ## 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) - [Wikidata: William S. Pocan](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110136818) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-s-pocan-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-s-pocan-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "William S. Pocan | KnowJudges", "description": "William S. Pocan, Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-s-pocan-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-s-pocan-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi#judge", "name": "William S. 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