Gov. Evers: Appoints Judge Emily Lonergan to the Court of Appeals – District III; seeks applicants for Outagamie County Circuit Court

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Judge Emily Lonergan to the Court of Appeals – District III. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Presiding Judge Lisa K. Stark’s retirement. Judge Lonergan will complete a term ending July 31, 2029.

“Judge Lonergan is a well-respected jurist with years of experience, integrity, and a passion for the law,” said Gov. Evers. “She will serve the District III Court of Appeals well.”

Judge Lonergan has served as an Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge since 2019. During her seven years on the bench, she has presided over every manner of proceeding, including criminal, civil, family, small claims, traffic, and juvenile cases. She has also overseen an Outagamie County Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, which helps to keep the community safe while supporting people with substance use challenges. Earlier in her career, she was a criminal defense and personal injury attorney with Peterson, Berk & Cross S.C. in Appleton and Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP of Milwaukee. Her experience from this time also includes complex business and contract litigation, professional licensing, juvenile matters, appellate litigation, and healthcare law.

“Judge Emily Lonergan is an exceptional choice to serve as a judge on the District III Court of Appeals,” said Judge Stark. “She has a diverse and extensive legal background, a passion for the law, wonderful communication skills, and a commitment to excellence that have earned her a reputation for applying the law fairly and consistently, and treating those who come before her with dignity and respect. Judge Lonergan has the unique ability to analyze the most complex of issues and reach thoughtful, well-reasoned decisions that follow the rule of law. With this right combination of intellect, experience and great personal integrity, Judge Lonergan will serve the citizens of Wisconsin well on the District III Court of Appeals.”

Judge Lonergan lives in Appleton with her family and is a graduate of Marquette University and the Marquette University Law School. As a circuit court judge, she has served as an associate dean of the judicial college, is a member of the Wisconsin Judicial Council, and serves on the Wisconsin Civil Jury Instruction Committee. She is also a recipient of the Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Law Foundation (2017).

“I am honored to succeed Judge Lisa Stark on the Court of Appeals District III,” said Judge Lonergan. “Judge Stark has served for thirteen years on the Court of Appeals and has earned a reputation for the highest level of judicial excellence. I am grateful to Gov. Evers for this appointment. It is my plan, as an appellate court judge, to continue my commitment to listening with an open mind and to make decisions based upon the rule of law, in order to ensure that everyone is treated with fairness.”

With Judge Lonergan’s appointment today, Gov. Evers also announced that he is seeking applicants for the Outagamie County Circuit Court – Branch 2 to fill the vacancy being created by Judge Lonergan’s appointment. The new judge will complete a term ending July 31, 2028.

To apply, please email a completed application form and supporting materials to GOVJudicialAppointments@wisconsin.gov. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 16, 2026. The application can be found on the “Apply to Serve” page on Gov. Evers’ website at: www.evers.wi.gov.

Applicants with questions about the judicial selection process may contact the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel at (608) 266-1212.