United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
About This Court
The Western District of Wisconsin is one of two federal judicial districts in the state of Wisconsin, situated within the Seventh Circuit. The district covers the western portion of the state and is headquartered in Madison, the state capital. It borders Minnesota and Iowa to the west, with the Mississippi River forming much of its western boundary.
Despite being geographically large, the Western District of Wisconsin has a relatively small number of authorized judgeships and is known for its efficient docket management. The district has developed a reputation among practitioners for strict case management practices, including firm scheduling orders and limited motion practice in certain case categories.
The district handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising from the western portion of Wisconsin, including cases involving federal agencies, intellectual property disputes, and criminal prosecutions brought by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District.
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, Western District of Wisconsin.
Caseload
The Western District of Wisconsin is known for a significant volume of patent and intellectual property cases, in part due to the presence of technology and manufacturing companies in the region. The district's active judges carry a substantial per-judge caseload relative to the small size of the bench.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Western District of Wisconsin separately from state bar admission, and must be members in good standing of the State Bar of Wisconsin or otherwise qualify under the court's local rules. The court also permits pro hac vice appearances by out-of-state attorneys sponsored by locally admitted counsel.
Clerk's Office
120 North Henry Street, Madison, WI 53701
(608) 261-5720
Active Judges 3
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Conley | Barack Obama | 2010 | University of Wisconsin Law School |
| Barbara Crabb | Jimmy Carter | 1979 | University of Wisconsin Law School |
| James Peterson | Barack Obama | 2014 | University of Wisconsin Law School |
Local Rules
5 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.
Civil Rules 1
General Rules 3
Attorney Rules 1
| Rule | Title |
|---|---|
| RULE 1 (LR 83.5) | ADMISSION OF LAWYERS |