Judge Steven Cain of Ozaukee County presides over Branch 2 of the Wisconsin circuit court, a seat he won in April 2019 and held without opposition in his 2025 reelection. A Cedarburg resident and Marquette University law graduate, he came to the circuit bench after about a decade as the Mid-Moraine Municipal Court judge and nearly twenty years practicing law in the county.
Legal Career Before the Circuit Bench
Cain graduated from Marquette University in 1999 and was admitted to the Wisconsin State Bar.1Justia. Steven Michael Cain He practiced in Ozaukee County for close to two decades out of Grafton, with work spanning municipal law, personal injury, and related civil matters.
In 2009 he was elected judge of the Mid-Moraine Municipal Court, where he served for roughly ten years before moving to the circuit court.2Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Angela Foy and Steven Cain on Ballot for Ozaukee Judge During that period he served as president of both the Wisconsin Municipal Judges Association and the Ozaukee County Bar Association.3WisPolitics. Municipal Judge Steve Cain Announces Candidacy for Ozaukee County Circuit Court He also served as president of the Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Club and continues as its membership chair.4Rotary District 6270. Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Club
How He Won the Branch 2 Seat in 2019
The seat opened when Judge Joseph Voiland announced on December 26, 2018, that he would not seek a second six-year term, citing the need to complete medical treatment at the Milwaukee V.A. Medical Center.5Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ozaukee County Judge Won’t Seek Re-Election Cain filed the next day and quickly picked up Voiland’s endorsement.6Ozaukee Press. Experience, Not Politics, Issue in Judicial Race
Four Marquette Law alumni competed: Cain, Angela Foy of Halling & Cayo, Cedarburg litigator Mark Larson, and von Briesen & Roper attorney James Wawrzyn.7Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Four Battle to Replace Joseph Voiland as Judge in Ozaukee County In the February 2019 primary, Foy led Cain by 44 votes, with each taking about 30 percent, and the two advanced to the general election.6Ozaukee Press. Experience, Not Politics, Issue in Judicial Race
In the general campaign, Foy argued Voiland was trying to “pass the baton” and ran under the banner “A Fresh Start,” pointing to what she described as Voiland’s fractured relationships at the justice center. Cain denied any prior relationship with Voiland. He cited Antonin Scalia as an influence and emphasized judicial humility, called for creation of a drug treatment court in Ozaukee County, and said he was open to expungement for young offenders to protect their employability.6Ozaukee Press. Experience, Not Politics, Issue in Judicial Race
His endorsements were broad. Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Rebecca Bradley and Daniel Kelly backed him early, along with Voiland.3WisPolitics. Municipal Judge Steve Cain Announces Candidacy for Ozaukee County Circuit Court Then-District Attorney Adam Gerol endorsed him, as did nearly the entire Ozaukee County legislative delegation, including state senators Alberta Darling and Duey Stroebel and representatives Dan Knodl and Rob Brooks. Knodl described Cain as “committed to a conservative judicial philosophy.”8WisPolitics. Judge Steve Cain Endorsed by Almost Entire Ozaukee County Legislative Delegation
Cain won the April 2019 general election with 58 percent of the vote.9Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Wisconsin Election Ozaukee Circuit Court Steve Cain vs Angela Foy
2025 Reelection
Wisconsin circuit court judges serve six-year terms, so the Branch 2 seat was next on the ballot in spring 2025. On April 1, 2025, Cain ran unopposed and received 30,376 votes, roughly 99 percent, against 441 write-ins.10Ozaukee County. Spring Election Results – April 1, 2025
What He Handles Now
Each of Ozaukee County’s three circuit judges carries roughly one-third of all cases filed. Cain typically devotes four to five full days each month to his criminal calendar, with 50 to 85 cases on those days.11Germantown Now/GMToday. Two Circuit Court Judges Juggling Caseload of Three Judges rotate specific case-type assignments every two years. He also handles restraining orders requiring action within 14 days of filing and takes on emergency matters that must be heard on statutory timelines.
The three branches are presided over by Cain on Branch 2, Adam Y. Gerol on Branch 1, and Sandy A. Williams on Branch 3.12Ozaukee County. Ozaukee County Circuit Court Directory Cain’s courtroom is Room 246 in the Ozaukee County Justice Center, and his weekly calendar is published through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system.13Ozaukee County. Steven M. Cain – Circuit Judge, Branch 2 He lives in Cedarburg with his wife, Heather, and their two sons.3WisPolitics. Municipal Judge Steve Cain Announces Candidacy for Ozaukee County Circuit Court