MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers recently announced his appointment of Judge Todd Ziegler to the Court of Appeals — District IV. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge Chris Taylor’s election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Judge Ziegler will complete a term ending July 31, 2027. He also announced the appointment of Katie York to the Court of Appeals — District IV. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge Brian Blanchard’s retirement. York will complete a term ending July 31, 2028.
The courts jurisdiction includes: Adams, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Monroe, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Waupaca, Waushara and Wood. The district is headquartered in Madison.
“Judge Ziegler has the experience, judgment, and character to step into this important role on Day One,” said Gov. Evers. “He will be a great addition to the District IV Court of Appeals.”
Judge Ziegler has served as a Monroe County Circuit Court Judge since 2007. During his 19 years on the bench, he has presided over every manner of proceeding, improved processes in the courthouse, and implemented Monroe County’s first OWI Treatment Court. He is currently the presiding judge in the county and has been the deputy chief judge of the 7th Judicial District since 2023. Earlier in his career, he was a general practice attorney at Gleiss, Locante & Ziegler LLP in Sparta, representing clients in civil and criminal cases in Monroe and surrounding counties. He also served as a law clerk to Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Gordon Myse.
“Judge Ziegler is a superb addition to the Court of Appeals,” said Dane County Circuit Court Judge and Chief Judge of the 5th Judicial District Julie Genovese. “The support Judge Ziegler has garnered from so many judges across our district and throughout Wisconsin speaks to our experience working with him for years and his reputation as a judge who is dedicated to the law, committed to his work, and consistently trying to improve our judicial system. His wealth of knowledge and experience will be an incredible asset for the District IV Court of Appeals.”
Judge Ziegler lives in Sparta and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the University of Wisconsin Law School. Throughout his judicial career, he has been actively engaged in improving the judicial system, including serving on the Wisconsin Judicial Committee on Child Welfare, the Juvenile Jury Instruction Committee, and as co-chair of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Youth Justice Judicial Work Group. The Wisconsin Association of Treatment Court Professionals has also recognized Judge Ziegler with a Hero Award in 2023 and the Jack Aulik Award in 2026.
“I am truly grateful to Gov. Evers for my appointment to the District IV Court of Appeals,” said Judge Ziegler. “I am also deeply honored to succeed Chris Taylor, who will be an excellent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. I have been fortunate to serve Monroe County on the bench for 19 years, and I look forward to taking that experience to the Court of Appeals. I will continue to work with honesty and integrity in a fair and impartial way to ensure equal justice for all in this new role.”
York is currently an assistant state public defender in the appellate division of the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office. She began in the public defenders office in 2008 and has risen through the ranks, becoming a local attorney manager in 2015, the deputy trial division director in 2018, the appellate division director in 2019, and the deputy state public defender in 2023.
“Katie York brings a strong commitment to public service, significant management skills, and extensive leadership experience to the bench,” said Gov. Evers. “She will be an excellent judge for the people of District IV.”
From October 2023 to June 2024, York served as the acting state public defender, managing the entire agency during a period of transition and working to improve recruitment and retention. Throughout her entire time at the agency, she has continued to represent clients in a broad range of cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
“Gov. Evers made an excellent choice appointing Katie York to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals,” said Wisconsin State Public Defender Jennifer Bias. “For nearly two decades, Katie has been an indispensable part of the state public defenders office, tirelessly advocating for those she represented. While we are saddened to lose her in our organization, the people of Wisconsin are gaining a jurist who deeply understands both the law and the human impact of our legal system. Katie will serve the Court of Appeals with the same integrity and compassion that defined her tenure as a public defender.”
York lives in Madison with her family. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington and the Golden Gate University School of Law. Throughout her career, she has provided trainings, written for various publications, and served on committees for the public defenders office, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Court System.
“I am honored and grateful to Gov. Evers for trusting me with this appointment to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals,” said York. “For the past 18 years, it has been a privilege to serve the people of Wisconsin as a public defender, working to ensure our legal system remains fair and balanced while also protecting individual liberty interests. During this time, I have also had the opportunity to work closely with system partners to help effectuate positive change. I am excited to pull from my prior experience in the legal system to serve Wisconsin in this new role, with a commitment to fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.”