MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Supreme Court today elected Justice Ann Walsh Bradley to serve as chief justice, effective May 1, 2025. On June 30, 2025, she will step down as chief before retiring on July 31, 2025. Justice Jill Karofsky, also elected, will fill the remaining two-year term as chief justice.
Justice A.W. Bradley and Justice Karofsky succeed outgoing Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, who has served as chief justice for the last four years, since 2021.
“The State Bar of Wisconsin congratulates and welcomes Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley as she begins her term as leader of the Wisconsin court system,” said State Bar Executive Director Larry Martin. “We look forward to her leadership and continuing to work with all seven justices to further our common goal of strengthening the relationship between the bench and the bar, advancing public trust of the legal profession, and promoting a high-functioning justice system. We also extend our congratulations to Justice Jill Karofsky, who will become Chief Justice on July 1, 2025.”
“The State Bar of Wisconsin thanks outgoing Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler for her tenure and leadership, as well as the support she has given the legal profession and the State Bar. Under her leadership, the State Bar maintained a strong working relationship with the court.
“Chief Justice Ziegler played a critical role in advocating for increased judicial security, worked hard to address the extraordinary challenges experienced by our court system during and after the pandemic, and effectively brought stakeholders together to address attorney shortages in rural Wisconsin.”
Martin said the State Bar looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the court under Chief Justice A.W. Bradley, as well as future Chief Justice Karofsky. “Our judicial system will continue to be in good hands,” Martin said.
Justice A.W. Bradley is the longest-tenured justice on the current court. She was first elected in 1995, “becoming the first woman in the state’s history to join the Court by being elected rather than appointed to the position,” according to the court’s website. She was re-elected in 2005 and 2015.
Justice Karofsky, who will succeed Justice A.W. Bradley as chief justice until April 30, 2027, was first elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2020.
