United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

About This Court

The Eastern District of Wisconsin is one of two federal judicial districts in Wisconsin, operating within the Seventh Circuit. The district covers the eastern portion of the state, including the Milwaukee metropolitan area, Green Bay, and surrounding counties along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior's western shore. It is the more populous of Wisconsin's two federal districts, anchored by Milwaukee, the state's largest city.

The court handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising in eastern Wisconsin. Its docket reflects the district's urban and industrial character, with significant employment, commercial litigation, and criminal caseloads. The court sits primarily in Milwaukee, with additional sessions held in Green Bay.

Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Divisions

Milwaukee Division (Milwaukee), Green Bay Division (Green Bay)

Caseload

The Eastern District of Wisconsin carries a relatively high caseload per judgeship given its urban population base, with notable volumes of criminal cases, civil rights litigation, and complex commercial matters.

Bar Admission

Attorneys must be admitted to the bar of the Eastern District of Wisconsin to practice before the court, which generally requires membership in good standing with the State Bar of Wisconsin or admission pro hac vice for individual matters.

Clerk's Office

517 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 297-3372

Active Judges 6

Name	Appointed By	Confirmed	Law School
Lynn Adelman	William J. Clinton	1997	Columbia Law School
Byron Conway	Joseph R. Biden	2024	Marquette University Law School
William Griesbach	George W. Bush	2002	Marquette University Law School
Brett Ludwig	Donald J. Trump	2020	University of Minnesota Law School
Pamela Pepper	Barack Obama	2014	Cornell Law School
Joseph Stadtmueller	Ronald Reagan	1987	Marquette University Law School

Local Rules

50 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

Civil Rules 26

Rule	Title
Civil L. R. 1	Scope of Rules
Civil L. R. 10	Form of Pleadings
Civil L. R. 100	Scope of Rules; General Provisions
Civil L. R. 101	Publication Where Property Is Seized by Forfeiture
Civil L. R. 12	Motions to Dismiss or Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings in Pro Se Litigation
Civil L. R. 15	Amended and Supplemental Pleadings
Civil L. R. 16	Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management; Alternative Dispute Resolution
Civil L. R. 26	Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery
Civil L. R. 3	Commencing an Action
Civil L. R. 33	Interrogatories
Civil L. R. 34	Producing Documents
Civil L. R. 36	Requests for Admission
Civil L. R. 37	Discovery Motions
Civil L. R. 4	Service of Process Upon the State of Wisconsin or Its Employees When Sued by a State Prisoner Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Civil L. R. 41	Dismissal of Actions
Civil L. R. 42	Consolidation
Civil L. R. 5	Service of Papers Through the Court's Electronic Transmission Facilities
Civil L. R. 54	Costs
Civil L. R. 56	Summary Judgment
Civil L. R. 62	Supersedeas Bonds
Civil L. R. 67	Security; Deposit Into Court; Withdrawal of Monies; Registry Fee
Civil L. R. 7	Form of Motions and Other Papers
Civil L. R. 7.1	Disclosure Statement
Civil L. R. 77	Clerk's Authority
Civil L. R. 8	Pleading Jurisdiction
Civil L. R. 9	Pleading Special Matters

Criminal Rules 11

Rule	Title
Criminal L. R. 1	Scope of Rules
Criminal L. R. 12	Pretrial Conferences; Motions; Evidentiary Hearings; Expanded Discovery Policy
Criminal L. R. 12.4	Disclosure Statement
Criminal L. R. 13	Reassignment of Related Criminal Cases
Criminal L. R. 16	Discovery and Inspection
Criminal L. R. 16.1	Pretrial Discovery Conferences
Criminal L. R. 32	Presentence Investigation; Presentence Reports
Criminal L. R. 49	Sealed Hearings
Criminal L.R. 5	Reminder of Brady Obligations
Criminal L. R. 58	Misdemeanors and Other Offenses
Criminal L. R. 6	Grand Jury Materials

General Rules 13

Rule	Title
General L. R. 1	Scope and Purpose of Rules
General L. R. 26	Sequential Numbering of Exhibits
General L. R. 3	Assignment of Cases
General L. R. 40	Inquiries
General L. R. 43	Examining Witnesses
General L. R. 47	Selecting Jurors
General L. R. 5	Serving and Filing Pleadings and Other Papers
General L. R. 51	Instructions to the Jury
General L. R. 72	Magistrate Judges
General L. R. 73	Duties Under 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)
General L. R. 79	Custody of Exhibits; Return of Exhibits and Depositions; Withdrawal of Materials in Court Files; Confidential Matters; Sealed Records
General L. R. 83	Courthouse; Appearing Before the Court; Admission to Practice; Discipline; Only Natural Persons May Appear Pro Se; Sanctions
General L.R. 84	Law Student Practice

View all local rules →

Other Courts in the 7th Circuit

Central District of Illinois Springfield, Illinois Northern District of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Northern District of Indiana South Bend, Indiana Southern District of Illinois East St. Louis, Illinois Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana Western District of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin