Dec. 17, 2014 – Through various content streams – including the monthly Wisconsin Lawyer magazine and the bimonthly WisBar InsideTrack – the State Bar of Wisconsin keeps members informed on the latest legal developments while leveraging the great work of contributing attorney-authors who understand Wisconsin’s legal environment.

This past year, attorney-authors covered a lot of ground. Listed below are the top 15 articles of 2014, determined by the number of readers and editor’s picks, as well as articles that members continue to access and read despite date of publication. If you missed this content, take a look.

1. Smart Phone Wars 2014: Apple vs. Android (Wisconsin Lawyer, January)

Before leaving his post as practice management advisor of the State Bar’s Law Office Management Assistance Program, Nerino Petro wrote this informative article to help lawyers make smart smart-phone decisions. Petro notes the pros and cons of Apple and Android operating systems, with a helpful chart on specifications. Watch for State Bar Practice Management Advisor Tison Rhine’s “smart phone war” update in the January 2015 Wisconsin Lawyer.

• Read “Smart Phone Wars 2014: Apple vs. Android.”

2. Wisconsin’s New OWI Law: Four Years Later (InsideTrack, June 4)

Wisconsin passed a new Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) law back in 2010. In this article, attorneys Andrew Mishlove and Lauren Stuckert revisit the changes and discuss the substantive and procedural repercussions of the law since it was enacted.

• Read “Wisconsin’s New OWI Law: Four Years Later.”

3. Going Solo Without Breaking the Bank (Wisconsin Lawyer, November)

Whatever the reason for going solo, that decision will require start-up costs. But what do you need and what can you live without? In this article, attorneys Nerino Petro and Bryan Sims break it down, examining what you can do with $5,000, $2,500, or $1,000.

• Read “Going Solo Without Breaking the Bank.”

4. Still Charging Clients for Legal Research? You Might Want to Rethink That (InsideTrack, Oct. 15)

Laura Olson, a legal research operations specialist, explains that legal research is now viewed by many as a cost of doing business and not recoverable from the client. If you have not done so, the time is now to reevaluate the firm’s cost recovery strategy.

• Read “Still Charging Clients for Legal Research? You Might Want to Rethink That.”

5. Mandatory E-filing: Proposal Mandates Electronic Court Filings in Wisconsin (InsideTrack, Sept. 3)

In March 2015, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear a petition to require the electronic filing of court documents in all cases. The e-filing system is currently voluntary and is not widely used by Wisconsin attorneys. That could change in 2015. In this article, State Bar Legal Writer Joe Forward explains the proposal, submitted by Wisconsin’s Committee of Chief Judges, as well as the roll-out plan.

• Read “Mandatory E-filing: Proposal Mandates Electronic Court Filings in Wisconsin.”

6. That’s a Fine Idea! Wisconsin Legal Innovators 2014 (Wisconsin Lawyer, November)

It’s no secret. The legal world is much different now. The economic downturn of 2008 has forced lawyers and law firms to make significant changes in the way they deliver legal services and help their communities. In this article, Wisconsin Lawyer showcased numerous legal innovators who are leveraging technology and creating new programs, products, and services to improve outcomes. Know a legal innovator? Are you one? Wisconsin Lawyer will be soliciting nominations for 2015 legal innovators this spring.

• Read “That’s a Fine Idea! Wisconsin Legal Innovators 2014.”

7. 50-year Members: Judges and Lawyers Celebrate Landmark Year in the Profession (InsideTrack, May 21)

Every year, the State Bar highlights members who have served 50 years in the legal profession. This year’s 50-year members, who were admitted to practice law in 1964, include a cast of very influential attorneys and judges (and former governor). For instance, learn about the Hon. Thomas Cane, who spent 35 years as a judge.

• Read “50-year Members: Judges and Lawyers Celebrate Landmark Year in the Profession.”

8. Special Issue: Children and the Law (Wisconsin Lawyer, September)

Wisconsin Lawyer readers learned a great deal about children and the law with this special issue, which contains a number of articles from various attorney-authors. From bullying and students’ rights to special needs and medical decisions involving minors, this issue shines a bright light on an area of law that impacts lawyers and their families.

• Read “Special Issue: Children and the Law.”

9. The Disappearing Jury Trial: Implications for the Justice System and Lawyers (InsideTrack, March 19)

Jury trials have declined significantly in Wisconsin and nationwide over the last three decades. In this article, Joe Forward explores the reasons for this decline and the resulting impact on lawyers and the justice system, using specific statistics from 2003 through 2012. For instance, fewer jury trials means fewer lawyers obtain trial experience.

• Read “The Disappearing Jury Trial: Implications for the Justice System and Lawyers.”

10. The Elder Divorce: Considerations in Divorces Involving Older Couples (InsideTrack, July 16)

More couples over the age of 50 are getting divorced, and these “elder divorces” carry unique issues that lawyers must consider when providing representation. In this article, attorney Megann Hendrix explores the issues and notes several solutions.

• Read “The Elder Divorce: Considerations in Divorces Involving Older Couples.”

11. Reefer Madness: Lighting Up in the Dairyland (Wisconsin Lawyer, November)

In 2014, the recreational use of marijuana became legal in Washington, Colorado, Alaska and Oregon. However, pot use in Wisconsin is still illegal. So what happens if someone employed in Wisconsin uses pot in a state where it’s legal? In this timely article, attorney Francine Bailey discusses the legal ramifications.

• Read “Reefer Madness: Lighting Up in the Dairyland.”

12. A Conversation on Supreme Court Term Limits (Wisconsin Lawyer, March)

A State Bar of Wisconsin proposal addresses public confidence in the courts by changing the term of office for Wisconsin Supreme Court justices to a single, elected 16-year term. Currently, justices must be reelected after 10 years. In this article, members of a State Bar committee discuss the negative impact of reelection campaigns and why this uniquely Wisconsin idea could improve public perception of the court.

• Read “A Conversation on Supreme Court Term Limits.”

13. Underinsured Motorist Coverage: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You (InsideTrack, July 2)

Underinsured motorist coverage protects you against other drivers who don’t have enough liability insurance to cover your damages. But as attorney Mike Riley explains in this article, many people don’t carry adequate underinsured coverage, thereby providing more protection for others than they are for themselves and their families.

• Read “Underinsured Motorist Coverage: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You.”

14. Same-Sex Marriage at the Seventh Circuit: A Legal Analysis on the Merits (InsideTrack, Aug. 20)

This year was a big one for same-sex marriage advocates, as federal courts across the land struck down state same-sex marriage bans, including U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In this article, attorney Christopher Krimmer previewed the Seventh Circuit arguments on same-sex marriage, which might come into play if and when the U.S. Supreme Court considers state same-sex marriage bans.

• Read “Same-Sex Marriage at the Seventh Circuit: A Legal Analysis on the Merits.”

15. Are You Ready? New Limited Scope Representation Rules Take Effect in 2015 (InsideTrack, Nov. 5)

In this article, Joe Forward explains the new limited scope representation rules that are designed to encourage attorneys to provide more unbundled legal services. For instance, the rules clearly explain what is required for limited court appearances and state that attorneys may provide “ghostwriting” services without disclosing their names.

• Read “Are You Ready? New Limited Scope Representation Rules Take Effect in 2015.”

Other Notables

With an archived library of Wisconsin Lawyer articles dating back to 2002 and InsideTrack articles dating back to 2009, WisBar.org is a valuable research tool. The website houses articles and videos on substantive law, practice management, ethics, and human interest stories, to name a few. Despite age, readers continue to access the following articles in significant numbers:

Hey! That’s My Land! Understanding Adverse Possession (Wisconsin Lawyer, March 2010)

It may sound strange, but lawyers love adverse possession. At least they love reading about it, especially this article by attorney Jessica Shrestha.

Jimmy Anderson Won’t Let Personal Tragedy Dictate His Life (InsideTrack, Dec. 5, 2012)

If you haven’t read this, you should. Jimmy Anderson, now a Wisconsin lawyer, was in his third year at U.W. Law School when tragedy struck. But this strong-willed lawyer is determined to do good things in life, regardless of the obstacles.

Home Safe Home: Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine and Trespasser Liability Laws (Wisconsin Lawyer, June 2013)

Attorney Mark Hinkston won the Wisconsin Lawyer Editorial Board’s Charles Dunn Author Award for this article, which explains two state laws that give greater legal protection to individuals who use force in response to home intruders or property trespassers.

Other State Bar Content Resources

Wisconsin Lawyer and InsideTrack are major vehicles in providing useful and engaging information to State Bar members. But don’t forget: WisBar.org features daily articles on court decisions and other legal developments that impact the work of members. WisBar.org currently offers RSS feeds for a number of content resources.

The State Bar also has a social media presence through its Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube pages. From quirky and interesting legal stories to tips and tricks that help lawyers, consider joining the State Bar’s social media conversation.