Wisconsin Supreme Court appoints three new chief judges, re-appoints two

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Three circuit court judges from Waushara, Outagamie and Taylor counties have been appointed as new chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Each appointment will be for two-year terms effective August 1. Two judges from Kenosha and Barron counties were re-appointed. Judge Randy Koschnick, director of state courts, made the announcement Friday.

For District Four, Judge Guy Dutcher  of Waushara County Circuit Court will replace Judge Barbara Key following her retirement. Dutcher was first elected to the circuit court in 2005 and has been re-elected twice. He previously served as Waushara County District Attorney before taking the bench.

For District Eight, Judge Carrie Schneider of Outagamie County Circuit Court will replace outgoing Judge James Morrison of Marinette County Circuit Court. Morrison served the maximum of three successive two-year terms as a chief judge.  Schneider was first appointed to the bench in 2017 and was elected in 2018. Schneider previously served as Outagamie County District Attorney.

For District Nine, Judge Ann Knox-Bauer of Taylor County Circuit Court will replace Judge Gregory Huber of Marathon County Circuit Court, following his retirement. Knox-Bauer was first appointed to the circuit court in 2008. She previously served as a court commissioner and family court commissioner in Taylor County.

Judge Jason Rossell of Kenosha County Circuit Court has been re-appointed as chief judge for District Two. He was appointed chief judge in 2017 to fill an unexpired term of retiring Chief Judge Allan Torhorst. Rossell was first appointed to the bench in 2011, then elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2018.

Judge Maureen Boyle of Barron County Circuit Court has been re-appointed for District 10. Her first chief judge appointment was in 2018. She was first elected to the bench in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020. Boyle had previously served as an assistant district attorney in Barron, Walworth and Rock counties.