Wisconsin’s courts play a vital role in protecting our rights and upholding the rule of law. State courts hear approximately 95% of all cases, including matters involving families, contracts, criminal law, voting rights, juvenile justice, and constitutional questions. They are the final arbiters of state law and the Wisconsin Constitution.The Wisconsin Circuit Courts are the main trial courts for civil and criminal cases in the Wisconsin court system. They also hear cases appealed from Municipal Courts and from administrative hearings. At least one circuit court judge serves in each of the state's 72 counties. Voters elect Circuit Court judges to serve six-year terms in nonpartisan elections. There is no term limit.Learn more
Committee
Hilton for Judge
Education
UW-Superior; UW Law School
My commitment to public service is reflected in my entire legal career, during which the State and the people of Wisconsin have been my only client. I have extensive experience in the fair administration of justice through my work as a prosecutor, most recently as an Assistant Attorney General. In that role, I specialized in prosecuting sexual assault offenses and worked collaboratively across disciplines to improve Wisconsin’s response to investigating and prosecuting those cases. That work demands a heightened ethical obligation to seek justice—not convictions—by protecting the constitutional rights of all involved, including victims and defendants. Beyond my prosecutorial work, my professional experience spans all three branches of state government and includes additional public service, such as serving as a Public Member of the Medical Examining Board and on the board of JustDane, which offers programs to support individuals and families involved in the criminal legal system.
In all of my roles—including my current service as a Dane County judge—I work daily with people from a wide range of backgrounds in both civil and criminal cases. I am mindful that most individuals come to court on one of the most difficult days of their lives, which informs how I communicate and manage proceedings. Before joining the bench, I specialized in prosecuting sensitive crimes, work that required a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary approach to improve processes and outcomes for sexual assault victims/survivors from diverse backgrounds. In a different but equally important context, mediating more than 200 small claims cases strengthened my ability to address common, high-impact issues such as eviction and debt collection by explaining complex law and procedures and ensuring parties understood their options. Finally, my volunteer service on the JustDane board reinforces my commitment to empowering and supporting individuals and families impacted by the criminal legal system and strengthening community safety.
In my current role as a Dane County judge, I strictly adhere to the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct, and when the facts or circumstances could reasonably call my impartiality into question, I treat recusal not as discretionary, but as a clear professional duty to my community and the legal system. Throughout my legal career, I have been guided by an ethical obligation to seek justice for all Wisconsinites, which includes faithfully upholding the constitutional and statutory rights of both victims and defendants. That principle requires careful judgment and a responsible exercise of discretion, including declining charges or supporting rehabilitation-focused dispositions when warranted by the facts and the law. My service across all three branches of government has further informed my respect for institutional roles and limits.
Ensuring fairness requires a judge to know the law while remaining humble and self-reflective in its application. Active listening is essential to understanding the problems parties are asking the court to resolve and ensuring their rights are fully heard and respected. Prosecuting complex criminal cases trained me to apply the law while safeguarding the constitutional and statutory rights of all involved, including defendants and victims. In the civil context, mediating small claims cases strengthened my ability to facilitate communication that supports fair resolution. I also view fairness as inseparable from access to justice, which includes using tools such as virtual appearances when appropriate to reduce unnecessary barriers to participation. Together, the rule of law, empathy, and accessibility guide my decision-making in both civil and criminal cases.
I admire former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg for her disciplined and principled commitment to the fair administration of justice. Her career reflects a methodical approach to realizing the promise of equal protection—first as an advocate, then later as a jurist grounded in precedent and institutional responsibility. I particularly respect her focus on ensuring that the law protects the rights of all individuals. As a prosecutor, I was guided by a similar ethical obligation: seeking justice by upholding the constitutional and statutory rights of both victims and defendants. Like Justice Ginsburg’s emphasis on systemic fairness, my work has centered on applying the law conscientiously and fairly, with the understanding that courts exist to safeguard rights, not diminish them. Her legacy reminds us that judicial authority must always be exercised with care, independence, and adherence to equal protection under the law.
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