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Judge Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Ensure court records are available for the judges and provide the proper records to the Court upon request. Identify and locate relevant case information, organize case files ensuring information is ...

Deputy Clerk of Courts

Elkhorn, WI · On-site

$23.89 - $32.38/hr

Ensure court records are available for the judges and provide the proper records to the Court upon request. Identify and locate relevant case information, organize case files ensuring information is ...

Maintains the judge's law library and assembles and updates appropriate documents. * Assist in emergency evacuations as directed in the Disaster/Emergency Response Procedure's manual. * May perform ...

This position maintains detailed spreadsheets, reports and graphs for the Director of Mediation, Judges and Court Commissioners, initiates annual blanket purchase orders and purchases all supplies ...

Performs highly skilled administrative and secretarial support work for a Judge or Commissioner in Superior Court and Juvenile Court. Performs work involving knowledge of legal procedures, principles ...

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Judge information

See Wisconsin salary details

$5

$28

$75

How much do judge jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for judge in Wisconsin is $28.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.83 and $31.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can I be a judge without a degree?

Becoming a judge typically requires a law degree and extensive legal experience, as most jurisdictions mandate a law degree from an accredited institution. In some regions, certain judicial positions may have different requirements, but generally, a law degree and bar admission are essential qualifications for judges. Additional certifications or training may also be necessary depending on the specific role and jurisdiction.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a judge, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Judge, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, extensive legal experience, and a deep understanding of the law and judicial procedures. Familiarity with legal research databases, case management systems, and courtroom technology is typically required. Outstanding critical thinking, impartiality, and strong communication skills set exceptional judges apart. These competencies ensure fair, efficient, and well-reasoned judicial decisions that uphold the integrity of the legal system.

Is it hard to get a job as a judge?

Securing a job as a judge is highly competitive and requires extensive legal experience, typically including many years as a practicing attorney or legal professional. Candidates often need to be appointed or elected, and must demonstrate strong legal knowledge, integrity, and often political support or community reputation.

What is a judge?

Judges are legal professionals who preside over court proceedings, interpret and apply the law, and ensure that trials and hearings are conducted fairly. Their responsibilities include making rulings on legal matters, instructing juries, and sometimes determining the outcome of cases. Judges may work in various courts, such as criminal, civil, family, or appellate courts, depending on their area of expertise and jurisdiction. They play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and maintaining justice within the legal system.

What does a judge do?

As a judge, you can work in the state, local, or federal courts. In the courtroom, your responsibilities include overseeing the proceedings, managing the legal process, enforcing the rules of the court, ensuring that evidence is relevant to the proceedings, determining if lawyers’ requests during trials or hearings are viable, and helping to prevent jury tampering during a case. Outside the courtroom, your duties often involve performing research to help you make sound decisions in court. You evaluate and read the evidence, records, testimony, and motions that are relevant to the cases that you are presiding over.

What are some common challenges judges face in managing their courtroom and caseload?

Judges often face the challenge of balancing a high volume of cases while ensuring each receives thorough and fair consideration. Managing courtroom proceedings efficiently requires strong organizational skills, decisiveness, and the ability to handle unexpected developments, such as last-minute evidence or uncooperative parties. Additionally, judges must maintain impartiality and control over the courtroom atmosphere, even in emotionally charged or complex cases. Effective communication with attorneys, clerks, and other court staff is also essential to keep proceedings on track.

What is the difference between Judge vs Magistrate?

AspectJudgeMagistrate
CredentialsLegal degree, bar admission, judicial appointmentLegal degree, bar admission, often appointed or elected
Work EnvironmentCourts of general jurisdiction, handling serious civil/criminal casesLower courts, handling minor criminal cases, preliminary hearings, and misdemeanors
Industry UsageUsed across federal, state, and local courtsPrimarily in local and lower courts
Common Search/ComparisonJudgeMagistrate

Judges and magistrates both preside over court proceedings, but judges typically handle more complex and serious cases in higher courts, requiring extensive experience and credentials. Magistrates usually work in lower courts, managing preliminary matters and minor offenses. While both roles require legal qualifications, judges often have broader authority and responsibilities within the judicial system.

What are related careers to a judge?

Related careers to a judge include magistrates, magistrate judges, court clerks, legal analysts, and attorneys such as prosecutors and defense lawyers. These roles often require legal knowledge, strong decision-making skills, and familiarity with courtroom procedures.
What are the most commonly searched types of Judge jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Judge jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Judge jobs in Wisconsin? For Judge jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Judge jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Judge job openings:
Infographic showing various Judge job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,635 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Chief Judge/Court Administrator/Healing to Wellness Court Judge

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

WI • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 11 hours ago


Job description

Salary: Negotiable
Location : Red Cliff, Wisconsin
Job Type: Part-Time
Job Number: TC10006
Division: Tribal Administration
Department: Tribal Court
Opening Date: 04/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
POSITION: Chief Judge/Court Administrator/Healing to Wellness Court Judge
LOCATION: Judicial Branch, Red Cliff Tribal Court
SALARY: Negotiable depending on qualifications
SUPERVISOR(S): Day-to-day supervision provided by Tribal Chair and Vice-Chair, with Tribal Council as ultimate supervisor.
THIS IS A REGULAR PART-TIME EXEMPT POSITION
JOB SUMMARY: Chief Judge and Court Administrator, directing and coordinating judicial operations of the Red Cliff Tribal Court, supervising court staff and managing operations of all Court programs.
Examples of Duties
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: As Chief Judge and Court Administrator, you will provide a full range of administrative and judicial services, including:
  • Hearing cases in the trial and appellate court(s) and exercising the full range of civil jurisdiction granted by the Red Cliff Tribal Council as set forth in the Red Cliff Code of Laws.

  • Assign cases to Associate Judges as needed.

  • Supervise and provide the Court Clerk and Assistant Clerk in effective maintenance of court records and managing court procedures.

  • Prepare and issue written orders, judgments, search and arrest warrants, and perform other judicial duties.

  • Conduct legal research and writing, when necessary, for timely court decisions and opinions.

  • Develop and implement new or improved policies and procedures consistent with the Tribe's needs and tribal law and policy.

  • Attend judicial training sessions and meetings, as needed.

  • Keep accurate records of caseloads and court hearings for quarterly and annual reports to Tribal Council, BIA (638 contract), Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (Voigt Judicial Services contract) and other funding agencies.

  • Administer the Tribal Court budget.

  • Administer Oaths of Office for Tribal Council and Law Enforcement.

As Healing to Wellness Court Judges, you will:
  • Oversee the cases of the Red Cliff Healing to Wellness Court and strive to implement similar methods of alternative healing court methods.

  • Must maintain confidentiality due to nature of certain cases such as ICW matters.

  • Attend Healing to Wellness Court meetings and trainings.

  • Maintain general knowledge of addiction and continuing education regarding new research and best or promising practices for treatment courts and interventions for cooccurring mental/substance disorders.

  • Provide guidance and supervision to Healing to Wellness Court clients.

  • Assist with the collection and maintenance of performance outcome data.

  • Assist with cross-training and orientation of new hires or Healing to Wellness Court team members.

  • Assist the Finance Department with fiscal, contractual, and grant funding reports/requirements.

  • Assist in the creating as well as updating Court Policies, Procedures, and Protocols and ensure fidelity to the same.

  • Expand services of Tribal Healing to Wellness Court through collaboration with local jurisdictions.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: Supervise Associate Judges, Court Clerk, Assistant Clerk, and contractual services.
Typical Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE: Must have working knowledge of courtroom procedures, the Red Cliff Constitution and Laws of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas and other secondary sources of authority that may assist in the development of tribal law. Must have working knowledge of Indian Civil Rights Act; trust responsibilities of the Federal Government; civil and criminal law concepts; and the cultures, traditions, and values of the people of the Red Cliff Reservation.
QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must meet each of the following qualifications
  1. Must be at least 35 years of age.
  2. No felony convictions, unless pardoned.
  3. Law degree preferred. Some level of post-secondary education required.
  4. Red Cliff Tribal Member preferred; must be a member of an Ojibwe Tribe.
  5. Must be of good character and reputation.
  6. Must be able to travel to attend trainings and meetings as required.
  7. Must be able to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources of authority as necessary for the development of tribal law.
  8. Must pass a thorough background investigation.
  9. Must have a valid driver's license. Must maintain driver's eligibility as a condition of employment. Must be eligible to be put on the Tribe's vehicle insurance policy.
  10. Must possess experience as a judge with at least two (2) years of experience practicing in court on a full-time basis.

Supplemental Information
PERSONAL CONTACTS: Daily with Tribal Court personnel, defendants, Indian Child Welfare department staff, law enforcement officers, and attorneys.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Position is mainly sitting with some walking, stooping, and bending required. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds. May be required to store and lift boxes in overhead storage.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Tribal courthouse and professional office setting.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Will be required to attend trainings and meetings both in-state and out-of-state.
BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE: The vision, goals and objectives of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa requires that the employee performs in both a professional and personable manner. The manner in which the employee relates to fellow employees, customers and visitors is considered parallel in importance to technical knowledge and ability. Respect and consideration given to the dignity of each customer, visitor and fellow employee is a requisite of successful job performance. Any behavior or attitude that tarnishes the name or image of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will be subject to immediate disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Indian preference will be applied in the case of equally qualified applicants, but all qualified applicants will be considered.
This job description is subject to change at employer's discretion, after consultation with the employee.
APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS: The following items are required for this position:
  1. Completed Tribal Application, to include work history and references, available on the Tribal website.
  2. Tribal Background Investigation Disclosure; available on the Tribal website.
  3. Consent to Release Liability and Reference Information Form; available on the Tribal website.
  4. Resume, required; cover letter, optional.
  5. Post-secondary transcripts or certifications; if applicable.
  6. Must provide three (3) letters of reference, required.
  7. Must complete a writing sample that demonstrates an ability to conduct appropriate analysis of sometimes complex legal issues and an ability to clearly convey reasoning used in arriving at legal conclusions, required.
Please download the forms from the links below. Complete the forms and save them. Then, please upload and attach them as "other" attachments with your application.
Consent Form
Tribal Background Investigation Form
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Red Cliff Tribal Administration Building
Personnel Office
88455 Pike Road
Bayfield, WI 54814
www.redcliff-nsn.gov
hr-helpdesk@redcliff-nsn.gov
(715) 779-3700
The Red Cliff Tribal Council has a Drug Free Work Place Policy and adheres to the intent of the Drug Free Work Place Act. All new hires are subject to a drug test prior to starting.
ALL APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH THE RED CLIFF TRIBE ARE SUBJECTED TO THE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF RCCL CHAPTER 43, AND THAT YOU ARE UNDER A CONTINUEING OBLIGATION TO SUPPLEMENT THIS APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING ANY CONVICTIONS THAT OCCUR AFTER COMMENCEMENT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE TRIBE.
01
Are you at least 35 years of age?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have a law degree or some level of post-secondary education? Please explain.
03
Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you have experience as a judge with at least two (2) years of experience practicing in court on a full-time basis?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question