Resources

Please see the below message from Waukesha County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez regarding the hiring of WCBA Juvenile Section Chair Alina R. Flink as a circuit court commissioner:   It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Attorney Alina R. Flink as Waukesha County’s newest court commissioner. Many of Read More

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, WCBA Board Member Michelle Fitzgerald and WCBA members Catherine La Fleur, Kristin Leaf, and Nicole Masnica were honored by the Wisconsin Law Journal as 2026 Women in the Law.  Please help us in congratulating Attorneys Fitzgerald, La Fleur, Leaf, and Masnica on their well-deserved recognition!   WCBA Board Member Michelle Read More

You are cordially invited to our 2026 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon to be held in the Waukesha County Courthouse training room (Room 0-1300) on Friday, May 8, 2026, at noon.  Lunch will be provided.   Come celebrate our distinguished award winners, meet the 2026-2027 WCBA officers and directors, and socialize with other members of Read More

Thank to everyone who helped make our April 17, 2026, Litigation Seminar held at the Frame Park Rotary Building a success!  A special thank you to Litigation Seminar Guru Jesse Blocher for planning the CLE again this year, to Sarah Bondar for logistical support, and to all of our amazing presenters: Hon. Zachary Wittchow, AnnMarie Read More

Please see below message from Chief Deputy Register of Deeds Beth Zimmerman regarding a change to their document recording policy effective May 1, 2026.   “We would like to inform you of an upcoming change to our document recording procedures, effective May 1, 2026.   Pursuant to recent statutory revisions signed into law on April Read More

Please see the below announcement from the Honorable William J. Domina about his upcoming retirement.  In addition to faithfully serving our community for decades, Judge Domina has long been a supporter of the WCBA and was the recipient of our Distinguished Member Award in 2016.  He will be missed!     ANNOUNCEMENT: THE HONORABLE WILLIAM Read More

Please see attached Order appointing Hon. Jack Pitzo presiding judge of the Family Division and Order appointing Hon. Jennifer R. Dorow presiding judge of the Juvenile Division effective immediately.

This is the last full week to register for the April 17th Litigation Seminar.  Log into your WCBA account and register today!  

Branch 3 Circuit Court Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has announced his retirement.  See below for his retirement message.  Judge Ramirez has been a bulwark of the Waukesha County bench for decades and will be greatly missed.   I am announcing that I will retire from my position as Circuit Court Judge for Branch 3 in Read More

Please see message below from Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez about the upcoming retirement of Circuit Court Commissioner Kevin Costello and the posting of the court commissioner position.   I am writing to share that Court Commissioner Kevin Costello has announced his retirement, with his final day of service being August 3rd. Please note that Read More

After a lengthy hiatus, the WCBA newsletter – The Scriptus – has returned!  The most recent issue (with working hyperlinks) was sent to our member e-list.  Didn’t get your copy via email?  Email us at waukeshabar@gmail.com and we will ensure that your current email address is on the distribution list.   Otherwise, a .pdf version Read More

  Catholic Memorial High School (CMH) is currently seeking law firms to participate in its internship program for qualified senior students.  Internships can be paid or unpaid.  Click HERE for details.  If you have further questions or are interested in participating, please contact Katie Warns Riesch, CMH Internship Coordinator, at KRiesch@catholicmemorial.net or 262-542-7101 ext. 563. Read More

Nominations are open for the annual WCBA Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Member, Promising New Lawyer, and Community Service Awards.  Awards will be presented at the May 2026 WCBA Annual Meeting.  Nominations are due on or before March 31, 2026.  Complete the linked WCBA Annual Award Nomination Form and then scan and email the completed form and Read More

County Executive Paul Farrow has announced that Waukesha County facilities will be closed March 16, 2026, due to weather emergency.  Click HERE to view the Order temporarily closing the Waukesha County Courthouse on March 16, 2026 signed by Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez.   Based on this decision, all calendars will be rescheduled with the Read More

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2026 WCBA LITIGATION SEMINAR!  Our annual litigation seminar will take place on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the Frame Park Rotary Building in Waukesha.  We will be applying for 7 CLE credits, including 1 EPR credit.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.  Speakers to be announced prior to the seminar. Read More

Waukesha County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has issued the following Orders on the assignment of Family, Criminal, Juvenile, Guardianship, and Mental Commitment cases affecting Branches 2, 3, and 7.  Click HERE to review the Order affecting Family, Criminal, and Juvenile cases and HERE to review the Order affecting Guardianship and Mental Commitment Read More

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Ralph M. Ramirez has issued a standing Order on the use of AI in Family Court.  Click HERE to review the Order.  

Nominations are open for the annual WCBA Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Member, Promising New Lawyer, and Community Service Awards.  Awards will be presented at the May 2026 WCBA Annual Meeting.  Nominations are due on or before March 31, 2026.  Complete the linked WCBA Annual Award Nomination Form and then scan and email the completed form and Read More

From Waukesha County Clerk of Courts Monica Paz:   County Executive Paul Farrow has announced that Waukesha County facilities will be closed tomorrow, January 23, 2026, due to extremely low temperatures and wind chills.  Based on this decision, all calendars will be rescheduled with the exception of the essential hearings below:   Lockups = The Read More

Waukesha County Circuit Court Chief Judge Paul Bugenhagen, Jr. has ordered the implementation of revised Family Division and Criminal Division local rules.  The revised local rules will be effective as of January 21, 2026. Click on the links below to review the Orders and revised local rules.     26-SO-01 (67) In the Matter of: Adoption Read More

The U.S. District court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is seeking a full-time, term, judicial law clerk for Chief Judge Pamela Pepper. The duration of this position is one year, with possible extensions of up to a total of four years, at the judge’s discretion.   A term law clerk assists the judge and Read More

The Waukesha County Bar Association is pleased to invite you and your significant other to our 2025 Holiday Party at the fabulous Delafield Hotel on Thursday, December 11th from 5:30-9:00 p.m.   Registered attendees will receive a drink ticket good for beer, wine, a mixed drink, or soda.  A cash bar will also be available.  Appetizers will be served, Read More

Euchre Club is back!  Don’t miss a fun evening with colleagues, judges, court staff, and more.  No experience necessary.  Details below.  See you there! What?  Euchre Club When?  Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Where?  Magellan’s on Main Street 370 W. Main Street, Waukesha, WI Who?  Everyone is welcome.  Bring a friend!  

The WCBA held its annual Ethics Seminar on November 5, 2025, at the Ingleside Hotel.  Attendees enjoyed continental breakfast, fabulous popcorn courtesy of Dewitt, LLP, and informative and entertaining presentations.   Thank you to everyone who attended, to Ingleside staff for their hospitality, and to WCBA Board Members Kate Spitz and Remzy Bitar for planning Read More

The WCBA Criminal Law Section is hosting its next Judicial Roundtable November 20, 2025, from 11:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room G55 of the Waukesha County Courthouse/Administration Building.   Bring a brown bag lunch and any questions you want answered.  Have a question or want to submit a topic?  Contact Section Chair JP Marchan Read More

Mark your calendars!  The 2025 WCBA Holiday Party will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5:30 – 9:00 PM at The Delafield Hotel.  More details to come soon.  Hope to see you all there!  

Register today for the November 5, 2025, WCBA Ethics Seminar at the Ingleside Hotel.  See details and speaker schedule below.  The ethics seminar is FREE to current WCBA members.  Register online on the Events page by clicking HERE.  You must be logged into your WCBA membership account to register for the ethics seminar.   Not Read More

WCBA Director and District 6 Board of Governors Representative Jesse Blocher from Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. was a recent guest on the State Bar’s Bottom Up podcast.  Blocher, the author of Wisconsin Tort Law: Products Liability, talked about current issues in products liability law and the impact of legal writing.  Click HERE to listen Read More

Registration for the November 5, 2025, WCBA Ethics Seminar is now open!  See details below.  The Ethics Seminar is FREE to current WCBA members.  Please register online on the Events page by clicking HERE.  Not a member yet or need to renew your membership?  Click HERE.  See you on November 5th!  

The Waukesha County Bar Association welcomes the Honorable Zachary A. Wittchow to the Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 6.  Judge Wittchow was sworn in by the Honorable Richard H. Marschall, Administrative Patent Judge, U.S. Patent and Appeal Board, in front of friends, family, and members of the bench and bar at his investiture on Thursday, Read More

The Waukesha County Bar Association welcomes the Honorable David W. Maas to the Waukesha County Judiciary.  Judge Maas was sworn in by Presiding Judge Ralph M. Ramirez in front of friends, family, and members of the bench and bar at his investiture on Thursday, August 14, 2025, in the William G. Callow ceremonial courtroom.  Congratulations Read More

Please read the following message from the Honorable Michael P. Maxwell, Presiding Judge of the Civil Division, regarding changes to mandatory mediation in civil cases and a request for panel mediators.   The Waukesha County Circuit Court judges have approved for first reading the linked Civil Local Rule 6.4 which concerns mandatory mediation in small Read More

Please see the linked invitation for more details about the Investiture of J. Scott Wagner to the Waukesha County Circuit Court, Branch 1, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.

Come celebrate Judge Bohren and his distinguished career at his upcoming retirement parties!   Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, Administrative Building, Room G55 (Judge Bohren’s Retirement Invite Onsite) Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuscan Hall (RSVP required) (Judge Bohren’s Retirement Invite Offsite)   Click the links Read More

The Waukesha County Bar Association hosted a judicial candidate forum at the Waukesha County Courthouse on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.   Thank you to all five candidates for Waukesha County Circuit Court – K. Scott Wagner running unopposed for Branch 1, David Maas and incumbent Bridget Schoenborn running for Branch 4, and former judge Frederick Read More

WCBA members AnnMarie Sylla, Lori Fabian, Sarah Bondar, Breanne Bucher, Christine Hansen and Alexis Garuz celebrated women in the law by attending the Association for Women Lawyers annual Women Judges’ Night at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee on Thursday, February 27, 2025.  Be sure to recognize the women lawyers and judges in your life this Read More

Thank you to everyone who attended the WCBA Litigation Seminar on February 25, 2025.  The WCBA will be submitting the CLE for 7 credits, including 1 EPR credit.  Thank you as well to all of our wonderful presenters: Cmmr. Daniel Rieck, Jacob Manian, Lars Gulbrandsen, Matthew Falk (who also had great swag!), Judge Bridget Schoenborn, Read More

Please consider volunteering as a presiding or scoring judge for the February 1, 2025, Mock Trial Competition at the Waukesha County Courthouse.  The following is a request from coordinator Karyn Youso with more details:   Dear All,   Happy Holidays!  I hope this email finds everyone safe and healthy as we close out 2024.  The Read More

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin is pleased to share the below message.   On September 25, 2024, the U.S. Senate confirmed Byron B. Conway as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Judge Conway fills the Green Bay Division seat vacated when Judge Read More

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary E. Lopinot to a 14-year term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Illinois. Click HERE to read press release with additional details.

Join the Criminal Law Section for their next Criminal/Traffic Judicial Roundtable on October 30, 2024, in Room G55 of the courthouse.  Check-in begins at 11:45 a.m. with introductions starting at noon.  “Jimmy John’s” lunch available (nominal donation requested).  Click HERE for more details.   RSVP today to Criminal Law Section Chair John P. Marchan at Read More

The Office of Lawyer Regulation is hosting Ethics School this fall at various locations across southern Wisconsin including at WCTC on October 31, 2024.  Please see the OLR website or attachment for registration information.

Interested in pro bono service opportunities?   Please consider helping out at the Family Legal Clinic at the Waukesha County Courthouse. The clinic is sponsored by the Waukesha County Clerk of Court’s Office with financial assistance from the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Volunteer Lawyer’s Program.  The program provides self-represented litigants with Waukesha County Family Court cases Read More

Judicare Legal Aid is hosting their free Fall 2022 CLE on Wednesday, November 2nd and Thursday, November 3rd, covering topics including ethics, repossession & liens, immigration & family law, basics of appeals, Practice 411, and logistics of the Office of Lawyer Regulation.   This FREE CLE will be offered via Zoom Webinar. Register here.   Read More

Please see below links for three Orders recently signed by Chief Judge Jennifer R. Dorow in anticipation of the upcoming judicial rotation occurring August 1, 2022.  As the date approaches, the Clerk of Courts will provide an updated phone list for courthouse staff. 22-SO-04 (67) 22-SO-05 (67) OTC 22-SO-06 (67) DTC    

Interested in taking court appointments in the new year? If so, here are links to two forms: 2022 Appointed Attorney Agreement and the 2022 Appointed Attorney Profile Information.  To be considered for the court appointed attorney’s list, please complete the two forms and return electronically to Kevin Smith, Programs & Projects Analyst, at kevin.smith@wicourts.gov along Read More

Our hearts are with the greater Waukesha community today as we grieve together over the senseless injuries and loss of life caused during our treasured annual holiday parade.  Please keep the families of the victims of this tragedy in your thoughts this holiday season.   Phone numbers for the Waukesha County Health & Human Services Read More

Please consider volunteering to represent the plaintiff in one of the below cases.  The court understands that the issues may not be familiar to you, which is why the court offers helpful resources, including connecting volunteer lawyers with “mentors” who have significant prior experience.  Mediations in particular, which are typically conducted via Zoom and last Read More

Please take note of the Amended Meet and Confer Order in branches I and IV of the Civil Division, dated June 30, 2021.

As of June 21st, WCS will resume preliminary breath testing (PBT) on all participants ordered to absolute sobriety, which includes testing at each scheduled supervision appointment as well as randomly through the use of the drug testing line.  As of July 10th, random weekend alcohol and drug testing of participants will resume as well.

Please click here to see a job posting for the position of Director and Qualified Tax Expert with Legal Action of Wisconsin.

Please click here to view an Order from the Waukesha County Circuit Court regarding the rescission of previously ordered COVID in-person and jury resumption plans for Waukesha County.

To all WCBA members:   This will be my last “official” action as President of the Waukesha County Bar Association.  Jessica Klein will take over as President going forward, and I will move to Past-President.  AnnMarie Sylla has agreed to act as President-elect, and Corey Montiho steps into the role of Secretary.  Please congratulate Jessica, Read More

Did you know our CLEs from this past year are available on demand? Here’s the information to access them:   2020 Ethics Seminar (3 EPR credits) To view: Waukesha County Bar Virtual Ethics Seminar 2020 – YouTube Sign-in: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oGBn-b9Y9gUNe5Y6B19upoG1n3il5ni_Rd-yziTubXY/edit?usp=sharing Materials: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/acm3fv2n1r0m9bp/AAD-y7ecSKzXQW3Kk4XJYIpea?dl=0 Lineup:   – Cathrine Davies, Reinhart, Boerner Van Deuren, “Minimizing Your Practice Risk – Read More

We’re very excited to have you join us for Waukesha County Bar Association’s 2021 Litigation Seminar on Tuesday, May 4! The information to view the seminar on Tuesday is as follows:   View the Presentation   Due to the number of attendees, we will be broadcasting the seminar on Youtube.  You will not be on Read More

Please click here to view a job posting for Walworth County Judicial Court Commissioner.

To: Waukesha County Justice Partners From: Chief Judge Jennifer Dorow Re: Court Commissioner Announcement Date: April 22, 2021   It is with great pleasure that I announce the hiring of Attorney Chris Bailey as Waukesha County’s newest court commissioner. Many of you know Attorney Bailey from his work here in Waukesha County. Attorney Bailey is Read More

Please click the below links to view job postings with Legal Action of Wisconsin. Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Director & Qualified Tax Expert Consumer Law Staff Attorney

Please click here to see a job posting for Court Commissioner for the Waukesha County Circuit Court.

Please see the below information to register for a Candidate Forum jointly hosted by Wisconsin Association for Justice and Wisconsin Defense Counsel. Event RSVP link:   Wisconsin Court of Appeals District III Forum [wisjustice.org] You may also email the RSVP to Bryan Roessler, Executive Director of Wisconsin Association for Justice, at bryan@wisjustice.org, or by calling Bryan Read More

Legal Action of Wisconsin has current job openings! Click on the links below to view the job positing for each open position. Law Clerk – Green Bay and Milwaukee Offices Law Clerk – Madison Office Law Clerk – Racine Office Law Clerk – Student Legal Aid Legal Action of Wisconsin Legal Secretary – Bilingual Outreach Read More

The Waukesha County Bar Association is pleased to share the announcement of Monica Paz as the Clerk of Circuit Court for Waukesha County. Please click here for the official announcement.

Please click here to download an Excel file showing the survey results, as of January 8, 2021, for the Opportunities and Challenges in Litigation During the Pandemic Survey conducted by the Milwaukee, Waukesha and Eastern District Bar Associations, and the Thomas Fairchild Inn of Court.

If you or another attorney you know provided 50 hours or more of qualifying pro bono legal services in 2020, make sure to certify for the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society. What pro bono services qualify? “Qualifying pro bono legal services” means the direct provision of legal services without fee or expectation of fee, or Read More

Please click here to view an informational flyer regarding Wisconsin Court System’s 2021 sessions for guardian ad litem training.

The Waukesha County Judiciary is in the process of establishing its 2021 List of Attorneys interested in accepting Court Appointments to serve as Guardians ad Litem or Advocate Counsel in criminal, family, civil, juvenile and probate cases filed in Waukesha County.   Any attorney who was on the 2020 Appointment List has already been contacted directly.  Read More

Please click the below link to complete a short survey (five to ten minutes) aimed at identifying what the bench and bar think of a variety of workarounds that have been put in place to address the challenges of the pandemic, and which, if any, should be abandoned, tweaked or maintained once it has been Read More

Thanks for signing up to attend the Waukesha County Bar Association’s Annual Ethics Seminar on November 10, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.   The seminar will be held virtually this year, and we have a great lineup for you.    The schedule is as follows, with links to each presenter’s presentation materials in the blue text following:   Read More

Click on the below links to see job postings for positions currently open with Legal Action of Wisconsin. Barriers to Employment Staff Attorney – Madison Office Paralegal (LTE) – All Locations Staff Attorney (LTE) – All Locations

Please click here to see an order from Chief Judge Dorow in the matter of: rescinding temporary measures on warrants issued for certain offenses.

Please see the below resources for juror safety and remote appearances in Waukesha County Circuit Court:   Click the following link to watch a Juror Safety YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihrhOcC2XIA&feature=youtu.be [youtube.com].   Here is the link on the Waukesha County Clerk of Court website for Instructions on How to Appear Remotely for your clients: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/circuitcourts/ [waukeshacounty.gov]. Read More

Please click here to see the outline for the CLE presentation hosted by the Waukesha County Bar Association on September 17, 2020: Managing Malpractice Risks – Common Pitfalls in Law Practice During the COVID Era and Beyond.

The below message regarding scheduling matters with the Waukesha County Circuit Court is from Monica Paz, Interim Clerk of Circuit Court: As Courts have started to stack their calendars, staff in a number of divisions have attempted to get matters scheduled with a majority accomplished via email.  Unfortunately, a number of attorneys/parties are not responding Read More

Legal Action of Wisconsin is hiring! Please click here to review the job posting for the position of Staff Attorney – Crime Victims’ Rights Project. The application deadline is Friday, September 11, 2020.

The Waukesha County Civil Division judiciary has approved a process to ensure exhibits are appropriately shared among all parties in Small Claims, Eviction and Injunction matters throughout the duration of hearings that are held remotely. Please find the Injunction exhibit process here, and the Small Claims and Eviction exhibit process here.

Please be advised that the Notice and Order for All Cases Assigned to Judge Brad D. Schimel Branch #6 dated August 27, 2020 has been STAYED UNTIL FURTHER ORDER OF THE COURT.

Please review the following Order signed August 27, 2020 regarding the resumption of in-person hearings for all cases assigned to Judge Brad D. Schimel, Branch #6: Branch 6 Notice

Please review the following Order signed July 2, 2020 detailing Waukesha County’s COVID-19 operating plan regarding the resumption of jury trials:  COVID19 Order re: Jury Trials

Please see the following Order which addresses the updated operating plan for Waukesha County Circuit Court proceedings, issued by Judge Dorow on June 19th: Updated COVID19 Order

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is seeking applicants for a bankruptcy judge position for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin headquartered in Milwaukee.   A detailed copy of the Notice is linked below: BK Judge Position Description  

Please see the links below for detailed descriptions regarding recent positions available with Legal Action of Wisconsin: Staff Attorney 6/12/20 Staff Attorney 6/16/20 Managing Attorney 6/12/20

Please see THIS NEW ORDER from our Chief Judge regarding temporary changes to Courthouse hours, operations and the relocation of juvenile and probate court proceedings due to COVID-19.

Please review this ORDER issued by Chief Judge Dorow regarding the emergency temporary measures now in effect in Waukesha County due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   For more details on any specific case, please call the Branch office to which your case is assigned.   UPDATE:  Please click HERE to read an explanatory memorandum from our Read More

The Mediation and Restorative Justice Center is hosting a 2-day training workshop on mediation and conflict resolution techniques on March 19th and 20th, 2020 at the WCS Administration Building in Milwaukee.  Please see THIS BROCHURE for more details.   The MRJC has applied for 13 CLE credits for this 2-day workshop.

Please see below a memo from Corporation Counsel regarding upcoming changes to child support fees in NIVD cases:   NIVD Child Support Memo

Please see pamphlet linked below for more information regarding the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center’s upcoming two-day mediation and dispute resolution workshop on Thursday, September 26 and Friday, September 27, 2019:   MRJC Training September 2019  

Please see below for recent announcements from Legal Action of Wisconsin regarding available Staff Attorney positions: Legal Action DOES Project Staff Attorney ( 1/6/20)

Social Media Policy

If a member would like to notify the general membership of an upcoming event that would be of interest to the membership, the member must contact a Board Director who will bring the issue to the Board for approval at the next scheduled Board meeting. If the Board determines that the event is of interest Read More

Are you a legal professional looking for ways to give back to our community?  Find out more about some ways to give back in and around Waukesha County.  Please note, the WCBA does not specifically recommend or endorse any particular organization by including the following links on our website: Waukesha County HHS: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/HealthAndHumanServices/volunteer-services/ United Way: Read More

https://www.wisbar.org/formembers/ethics/Pages/FAQ.aspx SCR Chapter 20 (part A):https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=197147 SCR Chapter 20 (part B):https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=192772

In need of a legal referral? Call the Lawyer Referral & Information Service at (414) 274-6768 today!  See here for more information.   Below are a few other organizations that may help you find a WCBA member or non-member attorney to assist you.  Please note, these links are for searching and contacting attorneys in and Read More

• E-filing is mandatory in Waukesha County for civil, small claims, family, paternity, criminal traffic/ordinance violations, formal and informal probate, guardianship and commitment, and judgment/lien cases. E-filing is voluntary in Waukesha County for adoption, juvenile adoption, juvenile civil commitments, commitments of inmates, complex forfeiture, John Doe, juvenile CHIPS, juvenile civil and ordinance violations, juvenile delinquency, Read More