Jan. 14, 2026 – Have you ever thought about becoming a judge? What does it take to be on the bench? And do you really have to wait 15 years into your career to be “ready”?

Judge Kori Ashley has answers – and encouragement.

Judge Ashley was just 32 years old when she was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. She had an eight-month-old son at home, a thriving legal aid career, and, like many young lawyers, a wave of self-doubt about whether she was ready.

“I had every reason in the world why it wasn't a good time for me to do it,” she said. “And if I'm being honest, I was just scared.”

But that fear, she says, is something young lawyers must push past. “If this is something that you really want to do, know that you can do it if you do the work.”

From Legal Aid to the Bench

Judge Ashley’s legal path didn’t begin with a lifelong dream of wearing a robe. She started out in criminal defense, later joining Legal Action of Wisconsin, where she practiced public interest law.

Her time there helped shape her perspective on access to justice – and revealed the gap between court systems and the people they serve.

“You shouldn't leave a courtroom not knowing the state of what you're in,” she said, recalling the many clients who misunderstood what had happened to them in court or on paper. “It is tough for individuals without legal training to navigate the system. I don't think it should be that way.”

That growing awareness motivated her to pursue a judicial role – a desire to make courts more accessible, understandable, and responsive.

“I wanted people to leave courtrooms feeling as though they were heard and understood, even if they didn’t get the outcome they wanted.”

Inside the Appointment Process

Judge Ashley described the appointment process as both intensive and illuminating.

The application itself, available on the governor’s website, requires candidates to offer a comprehensive snapshot of their legal careers – case experience, writing samples, references, and more.

“They reach out to people who, quite frankly, you don't even provide to them,” she said. “Because they really want to get an idea of who is this person seeking this appointment.”

If selected, applicants are invited to interview before the Judicial Selection Advisory Committee – a panel of about 15 lawyers from varied practice areas.

“It was kind of fun and stressful at the same time,” she said. “You get criminal questions, labor and employment questions, government law questions – it’s all on the table.”

From there, candidates wait.

In Judge Ashley’s case, the final step was a Zoom conversation with the governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she learned of her appointment.

Building a Network

Judge Ashley credits strong mentors – especially Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley and Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Joe Donald – for their guidance and support. But she also emphasized the importance of community connection and visibility.

“You have to get used to promoting yourself and talking about yourself,” she said. “Not just in the legal community, but in local organizations, churches, neighborhood associations.”

Her husband was also a key figure in her story – giving her the final nudge to submit the application when she nearly backed out.

Advice to Young Lawyers

Judge Ashley’s advice to aspiring judges starts with being a good lawyer. “Know your stuff. Be prepared. Be good to your colleagues. Be good to opposing counsel,” she said. “Relationships are so important.”

Equally important is being present in your community in authentic ways.

“Find the areas that you like so it doesn’t feel like more work,” she advised. Whether it’s coaching a mock trial team, joining a PTA, or playing tennis with neighbors, building meaningful, non-legal relationships can open unexpected doors – and build name recognition long before a campaign.

Life on the Bench

Four years into her judgeship, one skill stands out as vital: Listening.

“You may think you know what you're going to do,” she said. “And someone says something – and if you're caught up getting your findings together, you might miss something that's really critical.”

Even with the new responsibilities, she hasn’t escaped the hard work.

“I do just as much legal research and brief writing as I did when I was a lawyer,” she laughed. “Maybe I thought I would lose some of that. I certainly did not.”

You Can Do This

Perhaps the most powerful message Judge Ashley delivered was this: You don’t have to wait.

“Young lawyers can envision themselves on the bench. It’s not necessarily something so far down their career path. You could probably do it now.”

That message – grounded in personal experience, public service, and a deep commitment to fairness – should resonate with every young Wisconsin lawyer wondering if the bench is really for them.

Judge Ashley’s story proves that it is.