Brown County’s legal community welcomes a new face to the bench as Samantha Wagner was appointed to the Branch 4 Circuit Court bench in late August. Wagner will fill the vacancy left by Judge Kendall M. Kelley’s resignation, serving a term that runs through July 31, 2025.
Since 2012, Wagner had served as Brown County Corporation Counsel’s Office, where she was responsible for all child welfare cases, juvenile guardianships, and the termination of parental rights, among other responsibilities. Wagner’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom; she was also Brown County’s HIPAA compliance officer and chairs the county’s supervised release committee, in addition to providing general legal advice on a variety of topics for the county’s humane service departments and is actively involved with the Brown County Family Recovery Court.
Wagner, a resident of Allouez, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to her new role. She holds degrees from the University of San Diego and St. Louis University School of Law. She is actively involved in various community and professional organizations, including serving as a trustee for the Green Bay Area Catholic Education Board of Trustees and president of the Wisconsin Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
Wagner said she is deeply honored to serve the citizens of Brown County, adding, “My commitment is to approach the bench with a dedication to continuous improvement, an eagerness to learn, and a resolve to make the most informed decisions possible. I am committed to upholding the traditions of fairness and equality as exemplified by the current judiciary and those who have preceded me.”
Read more about Wagner’s appointment here.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov