InsideTrack
- Aug. 5, 2009|
- Weekly CaseLaw Express|
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New state budget permits auto policy stacking, mandates coverage
July 24, 2009 — The new 2009-11 biennial state budget repeals a 14-year statutory provision that effectively banned insureds from stacking auto insurance policy limits for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. The act also makes several other far-reaching changes to state laws governing auto insurance that will affect the practice of many Wisconsin attorneys.
Ethics opinion navigates revised rules for communicating fees, scope of representation to clients
Aug. 5, 2009 — The Professional Ethics Committee highlights the 2007 changes to the rules governing communications with clients regarding fees and scope of a representation. The committee also offers guidance in areas the rules lack specificity.
Text messages on company-owned equipment considered private? Not so fast
Aug. 5, 2009 — The Ninth Circuit, in Quon v. Arch Wireless Operating Co., recently found that a public employee had a reasonable expectation of privacy in text messages sent and received on his employer-owned pager. Deborah Spanic advises businesses to review their computer usage policies after Quon.
Properly screening potential clients for future problems
Aug. 5, 2009 — State Bar Practice Management Advisor Nerino Petro urges lawyers to be discerning when taking on new clients, a challenge when business is slow. In this video, Petro offers tips for identifying the problematic client. He warns, be aware of clients with emergencies, clients with bad attitudes about lawyers and the legal system, and clients who make legal fees a major issue.
State Bar
Upcoming Events - See All
- Find your competitive edge at popular annual diversity program Oct. 2 in Milwaukee
- Fastcase offers free legal research webcast seminars; the next date is Aug. 19
New Products - See All
- Revised forms now available in Family Law forms library
- 2009 supplement to The Law of Damages in Wisconsin updates three-volume treatise
Legislative
- New state budget significantly boosts funding for indigent civil legal needs
- The dance of uniformity; the role of the Uniform Commissioners of Law in drafting state law
Practice
- Recent jury verdicts, bench decisions, settlements, and arbitration awards
- 'Red Flags Rule' implementation delayed until Nov. 1
- AG's opinion: Attorneys who have had their law licenses revoked or suspended not entitled to permanent notary public commissions
Career
Practice Management
Court
- Wisconsin Supreme Court adopts new standard for non-compete clauses
- Stipulation in divorce judgment enforceable as court order, Wisconsin Supreme Court holds
- Appraisal awards presumed valid, receive limited review, says Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Wisconsin Supreme Court lets patient sue for doctor's failure to explain treatments
- Disappointed seller of real estate can’t keep earnest money and sue breaching buyer
- Milwaukee jail officials' contempt falls outside statute, Wisconsin Supreme Court says
- Freedom of religion guarantees trump schoolteacher's job discrimination claim
- Justices clarify meaning of foreseeable harm in negligence claims
- UW-Madison facilities director owed duty in death of cameraman
- Extent of duty to preserve evidence spelled out by Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Wisconsin Supreme Court upholds newspaper access to state employee records
- Lead in lead paint is not a design defect, Wisconsin Supreme Court says
- Bystander cannot claim negligent infliction of emotional distress tied to malpractice, Wisconsin Supreme Court holds
Around the State
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Upcoming State Bar CLE Events
December 16
- 30th Annual Estate Planning Update (Video)
- 33rd Annual Worker's Compensation Update - Webcast Replay (Webcast)
- Asset-Backed Financing in a Tight Credit Environment (Telephone)
- Fees and Fee Collection (Telephone)
December 17
- "Know How": Fundamentals of Protecting Your Client's Trade Secrets (Telephone)
- 20th Annual Institute of Trial Practice (ABOTA) (Video)
December 18
- 60th Annual Tax School (Video)
- Admitting New Partnership Members: Tax and Non-Tax Considerations (Telephone)
- Common Representation: The Good, the Bad & the Unwaivable (Telephone)
December 21
December 22
- Legal Ethics 2009 - Webcast Replay (Webcast)
- Trustees & Beneficiaries: Managing Tensions and Conflict (Telephone)
December 29
December 30
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