Third Branch eNews

In a historic ceremony held on September 30, the Wisconsin State Law Library was officially named in honor of Lavinia Goodell, the first woman lawyer in Wisconsin.

The event, hosted by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Director of State Courts Office, and the Wisconsin State Law Library, drew attendees from across the legal community, celebrating Goodell's pioneering achievements. Among the guests was Rachel Frost Starkey, a relative of Lavinia Goodell, who was brought to tears as Wisconsin honored the groundbreaking contributions of her ancestor.

Two Wisconsin circuit courts are stepping on the national stage in a groundbreaking effort to transform how courts operate. Monroe and La Crosse counties, part of Wisconsin's seventh judicial district, have been tapped to join an innovative national pilot program aimed at transforming the courtroom experience.

Judicial security continues to be a central concern for the Wisconsin Court System, with recent legislative changes bolstering protections for current and former judicial officers. Under the leadership of Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, the system has implemented a number of steps to enhance the security of judges and court personnel across the state.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has submitted its 2025-27 biennial budget request to the Legislature and Governor. The highlight of the request is funding to establish the Office of the Supreme Court Marshal as a specialized law enforcement agency for the Wisconsin Court System.

The Children’s Court Improvement Program and the Office of Court Operations, through the court system’s VAWA STOP grant, recently brought together professionals and court officials from around the state to explore the relationship between domestic violence and child welfare and to develop actionable plans for improved collaboration across these disciplines.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court's 2023-2024 Annual Statistical Report gives a snapshot of the Court's work over the past year. Included are insights into case filings, opinions delivered, and petitions reviewed, offering a comprehensive overview of the Court's activities. To delve into the detailed statistics and the full report, click here.

Former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Mary Triggiano, a long-time advocate for restorative justice, has been named the 2024 recipient of the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Triggiano, who stepped down from the bench in 2023 to lead the Andrew Center for Restorative Justice at Marquette University Law School, is recognized for her lifetime of service to the legal profession and the community. Click here to learn how a transformative experience shaped her commitment to restorative justice and her continued efforts to create a more humane, trauma-informed justice system.

Judges in District 10 convened on October 17 and 18 for training and professional development. The October 17 training session featured presentations on mediation services, managing media-related issues in high-profile cases, social media guidelines, and updates on domestic violence law, victims' rights, and the intersections of immigration with family or criminal law.