Features

• • President-elect Race: Government Lawyers Ready to Lead the State Bar
  • Get to know Michael P. May and Cheryl Furstace Daniels as they discuss changes affecting the profession and opportunities for the State Bar and its members.

• • Small Business Restructuring Act: Simplifying Chapter 11 Bankruptcies
  • A new federal law effective Feb. 19, 2020, is designed to simplify bankruptcy reorganizations for small businesses by reducing procedural and cost burdens.

Media

• A Moving Target: The Gig Economy and Independent Contractor Status

State Bar

• Steve Levine: Former President Saw Strength in Bar Diversity

• High School Mock Trial: Volunteer Judges Needed

• Honor Their Hard Work: Know an Outstanding Jurist, Lawyer, Advocate for Diversity, Legal Worker, or Law Student?

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Ethical Dilemmas: Former Clients and 'Generally Known' Information

• Risk Corridors and Promised Payments: Massive Government Bait and Switch?

Court

• U.S. Supreme Court Could Hear Mandatory Bar Case from Wisconsin

• Supreme Court Addresses Economic Loss Doctrine in Case by JeeTops Maker

• More Court News ...

Around The State

• U.W. Law School Dean Search: Committee Seeks Input, Open Teleconference Feb. 3

• Under the Radar: Human Trafficking in Wisconsin

Official Notices

• Final Order 19-08: Amending Rules to Streamline the Disciplinary Process

• Final Order 19-09: Amending Rules to Provide a Mechanism for Enforcing Disciplinary Orders

• Final Order 19-10: Amending Rules to Permit Court to Order Permanent Revocation of Law License

• Final Order 19-11: Amending Rules to Improve OLR Communications with Grievants and Streamline Procedures

• Final Order 19-12: Modifying Ethics Rules to Encourage Greater Reporting of Lawyer Misconduct

Features

• • ABA Urges Regulatory Innovation to Address Access to Justice Crisis
  • Some states, such as Utah, are already experimenting in the "regulatory sandbox" to find innovative solutions to access to justice.

• • Estate Planning: What Lawyers Need to Know About the SECURE Act
  • Estate planning lawyers should modify their estate planning forms to reflect recent changes that impact retirement account distributions after death.

Media

• Arrest and Conviction Record Discrimination in Employment

State Bar

• 183 Reasons to Celebrate: Honoring Wisconsin Lawyers in Practice 50 Years

• Pro Bono Spotlight: Jon Richards on Helping Human Trafficking Survivors

• Headed to Madison: Mock Trial High School Teams to Compete in State Finals

• Be an Active Voice in the State Bar: Run for a 2020 Board Position

Rotunda Report

• Legislature Sprints Toward Finish of 2019-20 Session

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Ethical Dilemma: What Conflicts Are Left Behind When a Lawyer Leaves a Firm?

• On Deposition Etiquette: Views from Our Own

• 6 Cyber Liability Trends Law Firms Should Know for 2020

• Legal Research: Finding Resources & Information to Assist Your Transgender Clients

Court

• Business Court Pilot Project Expands to Second and Tenth Judicial Districts

• State Supreme Court Rejects Jurisdictional Challenge in OWI Case

• Supreme Court: Statutes of Repose Do Not Bar Replevin Action for Stolen 1938 Vehicle

• More Court News ...

Official Notices

• Final Order 19-24: Amending Rules Relating to the Authority of the Chief Judge

• Final Order 16-05A: Pilot Project for Dedicated Trial Court Judicial Dockets for Large Claim Business and Commercial Cases

• Final Order 19-20: Amending SCR 31, Pertaining to Continuing Legal Education (CLE)

• Final Order 19-21: Judicial Districts – Iron County

Features

• • The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Time Off Obligations (Updated)
  • The FFCRA imposes some significant new obligations on employers with fewer than 500 employees. What follows is a detailed description of the employer-leave obligations that will be required by the FFCRA.

• • Supreme Court Temporarily Eases CLE Rules, Lawyers Can Get More On-Demand Credits
  • Attorneys can obtain up to 30 continuing legal education (CLE) credits “on-demand” under a temporary order the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued today at the request of the State Bar of Wisconsin, providing more stay-at-home CLE options amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Media

• Election Law in Wisconsin: April 2 is Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot

State Bar

• Message to Members: State Bar of Wisconsin Response to COVID-19

• Elections: Who Will Represent You on the State Bar Board of Governors?

• Pro Bono Spotlight: Jeff Patzke on Filling a Need

• Why Serve on a State Bar Committee? You Can 'Do Amazing Things'

• State Bar Seeks ABA Delegates for Two-year Terms – Petitions Due April 15

Rotunda Report

• Legislature Wraps Up, Governor Signs Three Bills

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Ethical Dilemma: Can You Add Credit Card Fees to Clients' Bills?

• Law Firm Management in the Time of Pandemic

Court

• Supreme Court Issues Order on Appellate Court Operations, Deadlines During Pandemic

• Courts remain operational with some limitations in service; Supreme Court cancels March 18 oral argument

• Wisconsin court system responds to COVID-19 concerns

• Private Landowner’s Road Claim Not Barred in Eminent Domain Dispute

• More Court News ...

Official Notices

• Hearing Order 19-25: In the Matter of the Petition to Amend Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 12.07(2)(a), Relating to the Annual Assessment of Attorneys for the Wisconsin Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection (Public Hearing Postponed)

• Final Order: No. 16-05C In re creation of a pilot project for dedicated trial court judicial dockets for large claim business and commercial cases (Dane County)

Features

• • Wisconsin Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
  • Loan programs available under the CARES Act can assist small businesses, including law firms, with low-interest and forgivable loans. But applicants must act fast.

• • Video Mediation: Making the New Normal Work Like Normal
  • In this article, mediator and former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Richard Sankovitz provides tips on conducting mediations remotely.

Media

• State Court System During COVID-19: With Judge Randy Koschnick

State Bar

• Honoring 15 Leaders: Celebrate Those Making a Difference

• Know a Legal Innovator? Nominate by June 30

• Who Will Be Making Your Healthcare Decisions?

• State Bar Elections: Cast Your Ballots by Email, Respond by April 24

Rotunda Report

• Legislature Holds First Ever Virtual Session Day

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Ethical Dilemma: Handling Conflicts with Co-counsel

• Federal Student Loans and the CARES Act

• Videoconferencing and COVID-19: Zooming in on Our Ethical Obligations

• Practicing Family Law in the Time of Coronavirus

• Financial Relief for Law Firms: Virtual Town Hall Recording Available

• Protecting Privilege While Working Remotely

Court

• Supreme Court Issues Temporary Mailbox Rule for Paper Filings

• More Court News ...

Around The State

• Comments Invited: Reappointment of Magistrate Judge James R. Sickel

Features

• • COVID-19 and Legal Trends: Finding Opportunity Amidst Downturn
  • A recent legal industry trends report found that new matter creation dropped by nearly 40 percent in April as individuals and business defer legal matters. But those matters aren't going away, and lawyers must find innovative ways to serve clients.

• • Returning to Work: Creating a Safe Workplace for Employees and Clients
  • Confused about the myriad of regulations and best practices guiding return-to-work policies? You're not alone. Learn about the guidelines and standards employers should follow to create a safe working environment for employees returning to work sites.

Media

• What Employers Should Know When Bringing Workers Back

State Bar

• Gregory Grau: The 'Gold Standard of Judges'

• Turbocharging Change: Who are Wisconsin's Legal Innovators?

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Ethical Dilemma: Can Credit Card Fees Be Deducted from Payments into Operating Accounts?

• Managing Remote Workers: Build New Management Muscles

• When Lawyers Push the Boundaries in Litigation

Court

• Chief Justice's Wisconsin Court COVID-19 Task Force Issues Report

• In 4-3 Decision, Wisconsin Supreme Court Blocks Statewide Safe-at-Home Order

• More Court News ...

Official Notices

• Final Order: Waiving In-person Attendance Requirement for State Bar Board of Governors Meetings and Annual Meeting

• Final Order 19-22: Judicial Education Requirements

Features

• • Petition Sets Rules for Future Redistricting Litigation
  • The Wisconsin Legislature redraws voting district boundaries every 10 years, and litigation usually follows. A recent petition submitted to the Wisconsin Supreme Court would establish the rules for any redistricting litigation in the next cycle.

• • Class of 2020: New Lawyers amid Pandemic, Social Unrest
  • Meet seven new Wisconsin lawyers, just completing their final semester and beginning their careers as lawyers, while in a world of pandemic, social unrest, and economic challenges.

Media

• WAAL Presidents Discuss Racism, Protests

State Bar

• Racial Equity of Black Americans: It's Time to Step Up | A Statement

• Board Discusses Steps to Combat Racial Disparity, Advance Equal Justice

• Turbocharging Change: Who are Wisconsin's Legal Innovators?

Practice

• West's Jury Verdicts, Bench Decisions, Settlements, and Arbitration Awards

• Dilemma: When a Family Court Commissioner's Partner Practices in Family Law

• Court of Appeals: Subcontractors Cannot Sue Each Other for Negligence

• Mandatory Indemnification: Sue Me and You'll Pay My Attorneys' Fees

• Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Bill

Court

• Bankruptcy Court: Governor's COVID-19 Order Triggered Force Majeure Clause

• Court Order re Resumption of in-Person Proceedings in Attorney Regulatory Matters

• Court Order re Emergency Procedures Related to CARES Act Temporary Moratorium on Eviction Filings

• More Court News ...

Around The State

• Racial Justice Summit: 'It's a Movement'

Official Notices

• OLR Hearing to Reinstate William J. Spangler