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Brennan, Michael Brian
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on January 8, 2018, to a seat vacated by Terence Thomas Evans. Confirmed by the Senate on May 10, 2018, and received commission on May 11, 2018. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Education:
University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1986
Northwestern University School of Law (now Pritzker School of Law), J.D., 1989
Professional Career:
Law clerk, Hon. Robert W. Warren, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1989-1991
Private practice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1991-1995, 2008-2018
Law clerk, Hon. Daniel A. Manion, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1995-1997
Assistant district attorney, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, 1997-1999
Staff counsel, Wisconsin Criminal Penalties Committee, 1998-1999
Wisconsin Governor's Task Force to Enhance Probation, 1999-2000; staff counsel, 1999-2000; member, 2000
Judge, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Milwaukee County, 2000-2008
Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2025-present
Nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, August 3, 2017; no Senate vote