Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brad Schimel

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 31, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Brad Schimel made an impact.

Brad Schimel is an American attorney, judge, and Republican politician from Wisconsin. He currently serves as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in Waukesha County since 2019. Before becoming a judge, Schimel was the 44th attorney general of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019. Prior to his role as attorney general, he served as the district attorney of Waukesha County from 2007 to 2015.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1990: Started as Assistant District Attorney

In 1990, Brad Schimel began his career as an assistant district attorney at the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office.

1990: Obtained Juris Doctor Degree

In 1990, Brad Schimel obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

2006: Elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2006, Brad Schimel was elected as the Waukesha County District Attorney.

2008: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2008, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

2010: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2010, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

2012: Re-elected Waukesha County District Attorney

In 2012, Brad Schimel was re-elected as Waukesha County District Attorney without opposition.

October 7, 2013: Announcement of Consideration for Attorney General Run

On October 7, 2013, after Wisconsin's then-attorney general, J. B. Van Hollen, announced he would not run for a third term in 2014, Brad Schimel announced that he was considering a run to succeed Van Hollen and announced his campaign less than a week later.

2014: Elected Attorney General of Wisconsin

In 2014, Brad Schimel defeated Democrat Susan Happ in the general election to become the Attorney General of Wisconsin.

September 2015: Secured Federal Grants for SAK Testing

In September 2015, Brad Schimel's office secured $4,000,000 in federal grants to address the backlog of untested sexual assault kits.

June 2018: Tested 1,900 Sexual Assault Kits

By June 2018, Brad Schimel's office had tested 1,900 sexual assault kits out of the now-grown 6,800 untested kits.

September 2018: Tests Cleared After Receiving Grant Funding

In September 2018, Brad Schimel announced that all but five of the eligible tests had been cleared after receiving about $7,000,000 total in grant funding.

November 2018: Appointed to Waukesha County Circuit Court

In November 2018, after being defeated for reelection, Brad Schimel was appointed by Republican Governor Scott Walker to the Waukesha County Circuit Court.