Wisconsin Supreme Court appoints first female ever as Director of State Courts

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The Supreme Court of Wisconsin announced Thursday Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Audrey K. Skwierawski will serve as the next Director of State Courts, a position she has filled in an interim capacity since August 3rd, 2023. Skwierawski will be the first woman to serve as Director of State Courts in Wisconsin history.

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, the former director of Wisconsin’s court system who was fired by liberal state Supreme Court justices the day after they gained control of the panel has filed complaints against his replacement and the justices who voted to oust him.

“I think it’s a real threat to the system, long-term, to have justices not following the constitution and apparently not being concerned about it,” Koschnick told the Journal Sentinel.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported in August that Randy Koschnick, who was appointed to the role in 2017 by a conservative majority, filed five complaints with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission, an independent agency that enforces a code of conduct for judges and court commissioners.

The Associated Press reported Richard Niess, a former Dane County circuit court judge, called Koschnick’s complaints “legally baseless sour grapes from a former employee.”

Skwierawski’s appointment will be effective December 31, 2023.

“Wisconsinites depend on a court system that delivers on the promise of justice and fairness for everyone in this state. In order for that to happen, we need the courts to operate effectively and efficiently. I’ve been proud to serve the people of Wisconsin as a circuit court judge, an assistant state attorney general, and as an assistant Milwaukee County district attorney. Each of these opportunities provided me with direct experience in identifying challenges and implementing solutions that improve and streamline our justice system so that it better serves our state,” said Skwierawski.

“I’m grateful to have the trust of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin to carry out this critical role and I look forward to working with the justices, judges, and court system staff across the state,” she added.

Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justices praised the appointment.

“Judge Skwierawski has an immense understanding of the Wisconsin court system and is uniquely qualified to serve as Director of State Courts,” said Justice Rebecca Dallet.

“Her firsthand experience at every level of the judicial system has prepared her for this role and she will be a strong partner for judges and court system staff across Wisconsin,” Dallet added.

Another liberal justice agreed.

“Throughout her career in public service, Judge Skwierawski has proven that she can identify complex challenges and bring people together to find solutions. This is exactly what she has done as a judge, prosecutor, and advocate for victims, and I know she will work tirelessly for the people of Wisconsin as our Director of State Courts,” said Justice Jill Karofsky.

According to court officials, this position has authority and responsibility for the overall management of the court system. In this capacity, Skwierawski will work with the justices, chief judges, and staff of Wisconsin’s nine judicial administrative districts to address personnel, budgeting, and information technology needs, among other duties. She will also advise and support the Supreme Court on a wide range of matters.

Skwierawski will step down from her position on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, where she has served since 2018, officials noted.

Prior to her judicial appointment by former Governor Scott Walker, Judge Skwierawski served the people of Wisconsin in multiple roles at the state, county, and local level.

She served in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for fourteen years, supervising the domestic violence unit. In 2008, she took a position as the coordinator for the City of Milwaukee’s Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. In 2011, she joined the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice where she served as the Violence Against Women Resource Prosecutor under Attorneys General Van Hollen and Schimel. In that role, she provided training and direct litigation assistance to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, victim service providers, health care professionals and community advocates throughout the state, officials noted.

In the Wisconsin Attorney General’s office, she also co-led a statewide effort to develop protocols for processing Wisconsin’s untested sexual assault kits. She received a B.S. from Northwestern University in 1989 and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1992, and worked as an attorney with a private law firm before entering public service.

Skwierawski is the recipient of the Task Force on Family Violence Leadership Award, The Healing Center “Hope Shining” Award, and the Wisconsin Law Journal’s Women in the Law Award.