May 6, 2026 – What does responsible AI use look like in a law practice? What do courts expect from GALs? How should lawyers approach adult guardianship issues, voting rights, or cross-examination in today’s legal environment?
Four May CLE programs from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® address those questions with practical guidance for Wisconsin lawyers.
Are these areas outside your practice? Here’s a link to help you see what else is going on this month.
4.5 CLE, 1.5 EPR, 3.0 LPM; in person and via webcast 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and on specific dates through Oct. 15, 2026.
The 2026 AI Summit examines how lawyers are currently using AI and offers best practices for responsible use. You’ll progress from foundational concepts to workable strategies for litigation, transactional work, firm management, and billing. Rather than chasing down every new tool, identify where AI technology adds value, creates risk, and where professional judgment is essential.
Learn more about:
current uses of AI in research, drafting, discovery, contracts, and internal operations;
ethical duties tied to competence, confidentiality, accuracy, and client communication;
e-discovery and evidentiary challenges involving AI-generated content, authenticity, and deepfakes;
practical frameworks for implementing AI firm-wide, including governance, vendor evaluation, data protection, and staff training; and
how efficiency gains affect time-based billing and what alternative fee models may look like in AI-assisted practice
The day concludes with a panel discussion of common obstacles, realistic safeguards, and what’s likely to come next, so you can make informed decisions, not reactive ones.
6 CLE, 1 EPR, 6 GALAD; in person and via webcast 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and on specific dates through Nov. 13, 2026.
Co-produced with the Elder Law & Special Needs Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin.
This CLE program from PINNACLE gives you practical, Wisconsin-specific guidance on the issues that make guardian ad litem (GAL) work demanding, the procedural steps that must be followed, and the overlapping responsibilities that can complicate a case.
Through realistic scenarios and focused presentations, this program covers:
initial guardianship matters, from intake and filing through hearings and post-appointment responsibilities;
protective placement, Watts reviews, forms, file setup, and county-to-county variations;
the interaction between guardianship duties and special needs trusts;
current legislative and policy developments, including next-of-kin legislation and transfer-notice expectations for protective-placement procedures; and
ethics problems involving conflicts, scope of representation, and volatile family dynamics.
Recent litigation has highlighted how voting rights are handled in Wisconsin guardianship cases, especially when case records touch on a person’s competency to vote. Gain a clearer understanding of the rights and resources available to Wisconsin voters with disabilities and the processes for preserving or restoring those rights.
7 CLE, 1 EPR, 7 GALF, 7 GALMIN; in person and via webcast 8:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and on specific dates through Dec. 8, 2026.
GAL Training 2026 brings together judges, family court commissioners, and experienced GALs to explore how these cases typically unfold in Wisconsin courts – featuring a panel of commissioners who will share what they want and don’t want from GALs. Through practical examples and open discussion, you’ll learn how practitioners handle difficult cases and gain insight into approaching your role with greater confidence.
Examine the evidentiary and procedural issues that frequently arise in family court and their impact on GAL advocacy.
Sessions will address:
how evidentiary standards apply in family court, and how GALs can effectively present evidence;
practical challenges GALs encounter in high-conflict cases, including placement disputes and substantial changes in circumstances;
what happens during custody studies and evaluations, what evaluators look for, and how GALs can use those findings;
what family court commissioners expect from GALs at hearings, including reports addressing best-interest factors; and
trending ethical issues arising in GAL appointments and how to mitigate your risk
GAL Training 2026 will show you how to evaluate evidence, develop recommendations, and advocate for children’s best interests in family court.
5 CLE; via webcast on specific dates through May 22, 2026.
A Crash Course in Cross-Examination Featuring Steve Easton connects the classic advocacy teachings of professor Irving Younger with the demands and realities of today’s practice.
Through original video clips, up-to-date insights, and practical examples, you’ll see how time-tested principles can inform your thinking before, during, and after questioning a witness.
Topics include:
the foundational elements of effective cross-examination and when to use each type of cross;
how the rules of evidence affect what you can ask and how you can challenge a witness;
the philosophy and psychology behind credibility, including how juries and judges assess truthfulness;
practical insights drawn from the “Ten Commandments of Cross-Examination,” with modern context and application;
techniques for preparing your own witnesses to hold steady under pressure; and
how to identify when credibility is gained, lost, or repaired so you can highlight strengths and expose weaknesses.
You’ll come away with a clearer sense of what to ask, what to leave alone, and how to make each question count.
Invest in Your Practice with PINNACLE Seminars
Visit Wisbar’s Marketplace to see schedules, credit details, and registration options, and use this link to see what else is coming this month. Many programs offer both in-person and webcast formats, easy to fit into your busy schedule.
