News

The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced today that Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Audrey K. Skwierawski will serve as the interim Director of State Courts beginning on August 3, 2023. Judge Skwierawski will take a leave from her position on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, where she has served since her appointment by Gov. Scott Walker in 2018.

"I'm honored to have the trust of the Wisconsin Supreme Court," said Judge Skwierawski. "I look forward to working with the justices, as well as judges and court staff across Wisconsin, to ensure that they have the tools and support to administer justice and serve the people of our state."

Chief Judge Carl Ashley of the First Judicial District added, "Judge Skwierawski has a unique understanding of the challenges facing our state court system. Her experience on the bench, as well as her service as a prosecutor and private attorney, will be a tremendous asset to Wisconsin's judicial system. I know Judge Skwierawski will be a collaborative partner with courts across the state and I look forward to working with her as she begins this new role."

The Director of State Courts is the top non-judicial officer of the state court system and has authority and responsibility for the overall management of the court system. In this capacity, Judge Skwierawski will work with the justices, chief judges, and staff of Wisconsin's ten judicial administrative districts to address personnel, budgeting, and information technology needs, among other duties. She will also advise and support the Supreme Court on a wide range of matters.

Judge Skwierawski received a B.S. from Northwestern University in 1989 and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1992. Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge Skwierawski worked for a private law firm, then entered the public sector where she worked for elected officials from across the political spectrum. She served in the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for fourteen years. In 2008, she took a position as the coordinator for the City of Milwaukee's Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. In 2011, she joined the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice where she served as the Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor under Attorneys General Van Hollen and Schimel. In that role, she provided training and direct litigation assistance to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim service providers, health care professionals and community advocates throughout the state.

Judge Skwierawski is the recipient of the Task Force on Family Violence Leadership Award, The Healing Center "Hope Shining" Award, and the Wisconsin Law Journal's Women in the Law Award.

Judge Skwierawski replaces Judge Randy R. Koschnick who has served as Director of State Courts since August 2017. The Supreme Court thanks Judge Koschnick for his service and wishes him well in future endeavors.

Contact:
Tom Sheehan
Public Information Officer
(608) 261-6640