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MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers announced today his 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.
"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."
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. 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."
A photo of York is available here.
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