The Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) released a new scorecard evaluating Wisconsin Supreme Court justices and a review of the Court of Appeals judges on Monday, alongside the launch of its new Court Watch website, serving as a centralized hub for tracking judicial performance and court activity across the state.
Why It Matters
IRG Court Watch provides a clear, accessible look at the branch of government most Wisconsinites know the least about. The Wisconsin Supreme Court decides some of the state’s most important questions: the limits of executive power, the authority of state agencies, election law, constitutional rights, and how laws passed by the legislature are interpreted and enforced.
While the Wisconsin Supreme Court draws the headlines, the Court of Appeals often has the greatest day-to-day influence on state law. Its decisions shape legal precedent in hundreds of cases that never reach the Supreme Court.
Together, these new tools give Wisconsinites a one-stop resource to better understand the justices and judges, decisions, and judicial philosophies shaping the future of Wisconsin.
The Quote
“Taken together, these judicial reviews show a judiciary that is sharply divided where it matters most,” said Jake Curtis, General Counsel for the Institute for Reforming Government. “The differences in judicial philosophy at the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals are driving outcomes that are shaping the future of Wisconsin. IRG Court Watch is aiming to make this information highly accessible so the work of the Courts is more broadly understood.”
The Highlights
- Outgoing Justices Rebecca Grassl Bradley and Annette Ziegler earned the highest overall ratings, with Justice Brian Hagedorn following closely behind. Outgoing Justice Ann Walsh Bradley and Chief Justice Jill Karofsky received the lowest ratings.
- The Wisconsin Court of Appeals continues to demonstrate consistent performance across districts, with judges broadly adhering to precedent and established legal standards. As the Wisconsin Supreme Court hears fewer cases, the Court of Appeals is playing an increasingly central role in shaping state law.
- District II (Southeastern/central Wisconsin) of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals saw the strongest divisions, with outgoing Judge Lisa Neubauer’s dissents being repeatedly adopted by the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court.
- Court of Appeals District III (Northern Wisconsin) proved itself to be one of the most consistent districts. District IV (Southwestern/central Wisconsin) also produced several unanimous decisions, although they received more scrutiny from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. District I (Milwaukee) handled a smaller docket with less doctrinally impactful work, limiting its influence on statewide legal development.
Read the Supreme Court Scorecards.
Read the Court of Appeals Report.
Visit the Court Watch Website.
The Institute for Reforming Government is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to simplify government at every level by offering policy solutions to thought leaders in American government in the areas of tax reform, government inefficiency, and burdensome regulations.