MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Supreme Court elected Ann Walsh Bradley to serve as chief justice, effective May 1. Justice Bradley will succeed Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler.
First elected in the Court in 1995, she broke history by becoming the first woman to join the Court via election rather than being appointed. However, Justice Bradley has said she will step down as chief judge on June 30, and will leave the Court on July 31.
"It is a tremendous honor to be elected by my colleagues as the leader of this great court," said Justice Bradley. "It has been my life's goal to honor the rule of law, enhance access to justice, and serve the 5.9 million people who call Wisconsin home. Serving as Chief Justice enables me to further those goals. The court system is full of wonderful staff and justices, from the circuit court to the appellate Court to our Supreme Court. So I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve as the administrative head of this august institution."
Justice Bradley of Richland Center began her judicial career as a circuit court judge in Marathon County. Fast forward to 2025, she has served three full 10-year terms in the state Supreme Court.
The Court elected Justice Jill J. Karofsky to become the next chief justice on July 1 following Justice Bradley's retirement.
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