Top Story

• • Tariffs: Billions in Duties, One Supreme Court Decision
  • Can a president impose sweeping tariffs using emergency powers meant for foreign threats? A look at the constitutional clash now before the U.S. Supreme Court and the separation-of-powers questions that could reshape trade regulation.

Features

• • Primer on Wisconsin Securities Laws for LLC Interests
  • Regardless of a lawyer's area of practice, lawyers are likely to encounter a scenario where a client wants to form a legal entity. Oftentimes, that legal entity is an LLC. Nadelle Grossman cautions that lawyers must always be mindful of state and federal securities laws when forming the legal entity with their clients.

• • We Should All Know Better By Now, But We Don't
  • Don't use AI if you don't know what you're doing, and make sure you check each citation if you do. Easy enough, right?

• • January CLE Programs Focus on Competency, Forensic Evidence, and Crimmigration
  • January CLE programs cover critical issues in criminal defense, including client competency, forensic evidence, and crimmigration. Learn more and register through WisBar's Marketplace.

• • Volunteer Opportunity: Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Tournaments
  • The Wisconsin High School Mock Trial program seeks attorneys and judges to volunteer and help make its upcoming tournaments a success.

• • Help Educate the Public, Expand Your Reach: Contribute to 'Know Your Legal Rights'
  • 'Know Your Legal Rights' is a statewide newspaper column to help educate the public on common legal issues. It is sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), which directly connects attorneys with clients. Now through March 31, 2026, get a 50% discount on the annual membership fee to become an LRS panelist.

• • Prepayment Plan for Supreme Court Assessments and State Bar Dues: Sign Up by Jan. 9
  • Through the prepayment plan, members can pay FY27 Supreme Court assessments and State Bar dues in installments over six months: Just sign up by early January.

• • Local Court Rules Updates: La Crosse and Washington Counties
  • The following court rules have been updated recently: La Crosse and Washington counties.

Top Story

• • Penny Shortage: How to Live Penniless
  • With the last circulated pennies minted in July, cash transactions have felt the pinch of a penny shortage. Urged by national retail and banking associations, Congress has proposed legislation that could set rounding rules for cash payments that don't require pennies.

Features

• • Ethics Opinion
    EF-25-03: Representing a Criminal Defendant with Diminished Capacity
  • On Nov. 24, 2025, the State Bar of Wisconsin Professional Ethics Committee issued Opinion EF-25-03, discussing lawyers' obligations when the competency of criminal defendants who are clients is in question.

• • Why Wisconsin's Balance Placement Standard Works without a Presumption of Equal Time
  • Wisconsin's physical placement statute directs courts to maximize time with each parent while keeping the child's best interests at the center of every decision. Brad C. Schweiger explains why that flexible, individualized approach better serves families than a rigid presumption of equal placement.

• • Legal Research: Researching Expert Witnesses
  • Expert witness research is a critical component of litigation strategy, informing expert selection, case theory, and trial preparation. Law librarian Laura Olsen outlines resources and best practices for finding, vetting, and challenging expert witnesses, including due diligence techniques, Daubert considerations, and cautions when using AI-assisted research tools.

• • Two Updated PINNACLE Books Address Complex Financial and Juvenile Law Issues
  • Newly updated PINNACLE titles provide Wisconsin lawyers with current, practical guidance in collections and bankruptcy, and juvenile justice. With updated statutes, case law, and practice tools, these resources help you navigate complex financial disputes and child and juvenile proceedings with confidence.

• • Put Your Leadership into Action: Run for the State Bar Board of Governors
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin seeks candidates to serve on its 2026-27 Board of Governors. Leaders of all experience levels are needed. Petitions are due March 2, 2026.

• • Hearing Order 25-04: Amendment to SCR 40.04 and 40.14 Relating to the Wisconsin Bar Examination
  • The Board of Bar Examiners filed a rule petition asking the court to amend Supreme Court Rules (SCR) 40.04 and 40.14, relating to the administration, content, and fees for the Wisconsin Bar Examination.

Top Story

• • Meet Anna Muñoz and Lisa Lawless: Candidates for the State Bar's Top Leadership Spot
  • Lisa Lawless and Anna Muñoz, both of Milwaukee, are candidates for State Bar president-elect. Both have experience as leaders with the State Bar – and these experiences inform their views on important issues facing the legal profession and the State Bar.

Features

• • Major Decisions in January, Executive Action Cases Pending
  • SCOTUS Watch appears monthly in InsideTrack Weekly to give members a brief snapshot of the major decisions and issues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

• • The Power of Rethinking: Why Lawyers Resist Change
  • What if the biggest barrier to a better-run practice is not your caseload, but the stories you tell yourself about how your firm "has to" operate? Brent Hoeft unpacks the mindsets that quietly keep firms stuck.

• • Pro Bono Work Sharpens Your Practice
  • Volunteering for pro bono work not only provides you with the opportunity to offer life-changing help for the clients, it can also accelerate your development as an advocate. Nate Oesch talks about the opportunities that are available for Wisconsin lawyers for pro bono work and highlights why it should be a regular part of your practice.

• • Paralegal Month: How to Support and Celebrate Your Paralegal
  • February is Paralegal month – a good time for attorneys to step back and ask a practical question: Where does a trained paralegal make the biggest difference in my day-to-day? Here's how paralegals can boost their skills to become even more essential to your law practice.

• • Put Your Leadership into Action: Run for the State Bar Board of Governors
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin seeks candidates to serve on its 2026-27 Board of Governors. Leaders of all experience levels are needed. Petitions are due March 2, 2026.

• • Explore New Areas Through 'Build Your Practice' Series
  • Thinking about expanding your practice areas, or need a refresher? The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE provides a solid foundation to serve clients in new areas.

• • State Bar Seeks ABA Delegates for Two-year Terms – Petitions Due April 15
  • Do you seek opportunities that will put you in contact with the leaders of your profession? Submit your petition to represent Wisconsin's legal community through the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

Top Story

• • Legislative Test: Wisconsin Schools Respond to Smartphone Ban
  • Wisconsin's law limiting student use of wireless communication devices in classrooms fits within a nationwide trend among 39 states. School districts are updating their policies to comply with the July 1 deadline.

Features

• • A Narrow Strip of Sand, a Rocky Constitutional Question
  • Via a case out of Shorewood, the Wisconsin Supreme Court may soon determine who may walk on beaches in Wisconsin. Edward Witte and Heidi Kennedy discuss the case that may also determine how robust the public trust doctrine remains in Wisconsin in the future.

• • 20 Mock Trial Teams Advance to Semifinals – Students Win Skills for Life
  • Regional competition has selected 20 teams to advance to the next round of the State Bar of Wisconsin's High School Mock Trial season. Along the way, mock trial students learn courtroom skills – and the importance of preparation, teamwork, and professionalism.

• • Give Back and Grow: Serve on a State Bar Committee
  • Connect with colleagues, contribute to policy, and give back to a profession that matters. State Bar President-elect Stephen Sawyer invites you to volunteer to serve on a State Bar committee.

• • Turn Volunteer Time into Professional Growth: Run for the Board of Governors
  • Your calendar is tight. So, how do you justify time spent volunteering? Here is why running for a position on the State Bar Board of Governors is worth every valuable minute of your time.

• • 50 or More Pro Bono Hours in 2025? Certify Now for Pro Bono Honor Society
  • If you donated 50 or more hours of qualifying pro bono legal services to benefit low-income Wisconsin residents in 2025, you qualify as a member of the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society – certify your service by March 1, 2026.

• • Updated: Key Wisconsin References for Damages and Traffic
  • From case-cited damages analysis to a one-volume traffic statute compilation, these refreshed resources from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE give you quick answers and help you make sound decisions.

Top Story

• • President-Elect Candidate Q&A: Hear from Lisa Lawless and Anna Muñoz
  • Candidates Anna Muñoz and Lisa Lawless, both of Milwaukee, discuss leadership, priorities, and how they would serve Wisconsin lawyers.

Features

• • U.S. Supreme Court Decisions in February, Major Cases Pending
  • SCOTUS Watch appears monthly in InsideTrack to give members a brief snapshot of the major decisions and issues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

• • State Bar Board Discusses Budget, Approves Keller Reduction
  • The proposed fiscal year 2027 budget was the main focus of discussion at the State Bar Board of Governors meeting last week.

• • Wisconsin Supreme Court Sets Involuntary Medication Standards of Review
  • A 6-1 Wisconsin Supreme Court majority recently set standards of review for the four Sell factors that evaluate the constitutionality of involuntary medication orders to ensure competency to stand trial, affirming the circuit court’s order.

• • Make Connections That Matter: The Young Lawyers Conference and YLD
  • If you could fast-track your growth as a lawyer – better skills, stronger connections – would you do it? Samantha Huddleston Baker, president of the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division (YLD) board, explains how YLD helps new attorneys.

• • March CLE Programs: Spot Hidden Abuse, Navigate Benefits Systems, and Manage AI-Assisted Discovery
  • Three CLE programs this month help lawyers address high-stakes work: recognizing domestic violence in custody disputes, advising clients on public benefits systems, and handling ESI and AI-assisted discovery.

• • State Bar Seeks ABA Delegates for Two-year Terms – Petitions Due April 15
  • Do you seek opportunities that will put you in contact with the leaders of your profession? Submit your petition to represent Wisconsin's legal community through the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

• • U.S. Court of Appeals – 7th Circuit: Notice of Proposed Circuit Rule Changes, Comment Period
  • On Feb. 23, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, issued proposed modifications to Circuit Rule 40(e).

Top Story

• • Wisconsin's New Drinking Water PFAS Rule – On Tap or Turned Off?
  • New Wisconsin maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water, approved for timely compliance with federal rules, raise questions about what Wisconsin public water systems need to do – and when.

Features

• • How Trauma Shapes Judicial Practice: Insights from Judge Jennifer Dorow
  • Judge Jennifer Dorow shares her deeply personal story of loss and resilience, offering insights for legal professionals navigating emotional challenges in their careers.

• • Who Can File and Maintain a Divorce When a Client is Incapacitated?
  • When a client’s capacity is in doubt, filing and maintaining a divorce raises many questions about who has authority to sue and who can make required sworn statements. Margaret W. Hickey discusses why a power of attorney may not be enough, when guardianship may be necessary, and how the analysis shifts when the incapacitated person is the respondent.

• • 'There Are No Losers': Mock Trial Tournament Celebrates Student Achievement
  • Congratulations to Brookfield Central High School's mock trial team, headed to the national competition in May! In another successful year, all mock trial participants learned skills that will help them no matter what career they choose.

• • Your State Bar Membership Card: Now Digital and Easy to Access
  • Your member card is now available as a PDF – ensuring that your membership information is always within reach. Here's more information on where to find your Digital Membership Card.

• • Young Lawyers: Join Us for Young Lawyers Conference on March 20
  • Young lawyers, you're invited to the State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Conference. Meet in Wisconsin Dells on March 20, 2026, for free CLE sessions and networking.

• • From Elder Law to Condemnation, PINNACLE Titles Get Important Updates
  • From elder law and public records to family law and condemnation practice, newly updated State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE books help Wisconsin lawyers stay current and work more efficiently.

• • Public Notice of U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin Reappointment of Incumbent U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph
  • The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

Top Story

• • 16 Awards Announced! Recognizing Standout Leaders in Wisconsin's Legal Profession
  • These honorees reflect the best of Wisconsin's legal profession. The State Bar of Wisconsin will recognize them at the Member Recognition Celebration during the Annual Meeting & Conference in La Crosse.

Features

• • Wisconsin Supreme Court Adopts Uniform Bar Exam
  • Adoption of the Uniform Bar Exam by the Wisconsin Supreme Court offers an easier path for law school graduates in other states to gain admittance to the Wisconsin Bar in the hope of populating the state's legal deserts.

• • SCOTUS Watch: Major Decisions in March, More to Come
  • Summary: SCOTUS Watch appears monthly in InsideTrack Weekly to give members a brief snapshot of the major decisions and issues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

• • Important Lessons from the Back of the Courtroom
  • Observation bridges the gap between theory and practice, and helps students understand how lawyers think, act, and adapt in their practice. Law student Dayna Erickson discusses why learning from talented litigators is vital, and that learning opportunities are the blueprint for future practice.

• • April CLE Spotlight: Effective Contract Drafting and the Legal Issues Shaping Wisconsin's Outdoors
  • This April, two PINNACLE CLE programs give Wisconsin lawyers the chance to strengthen their drafting skills and explore the complex legal issues connected to the state's natural landscape.

• • State Bar Seeks ABA Delegates for Two-year Terms – Petitions Due April 15
  • Do you seek opportunities that will put you in contact with the leaders of your profession? Submit your petition to represent Wisconsin's legal community through the American Bar Association House of Delegates.

• • Petition 24-05: In Re Amendment of SCR 40.04 and 40.14 Relating to The Wisconsin Bar Examination
  • This petition proposes eliminating the existing Wisconsin Bar Examination and replacing it with the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), and then with the successor to the UBE in 2028 (NextGen exam).

Top Story

• • Friendly Skies: Drone Laws in Flight and on the Ground
  • Drone regulation has come a long way in 12 years, when model airplane guidance from 1981 covered recreational flight. The challenge now is knowing what rules to follow for flying a drone and where to fly it.

Features

• • Permitless Carry: Observations on a National Trend
  • Gun laws are often the center of tense policy discussions, and that dynamic is no different in Wisconsin. Matthew Kline briefly discusses the latest push to make changes to Wisconsin’s concealed carry laws: permitless carry.

• • State Bar Board Discusses Removal Procedures, Approves Budget
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors on April 10 discussed a proposed bylaw that would allow removal of a governor due to loss of license to practice law or for cause, and would require recusal during pending disciplinary violations.

• • ABA Day 2026: Connecting Leaders in the Law with Congress
  • ABA and State Bar leaders met with Senators Baldwin and Johnson along with Representatives from the Wisconsin Congressional delegation in Washington, DC for the annual ABA Day.

• • Ethical Dilemma
    Breaking Up Is Hard to Do – When a Judge Won't Let You Withdraw from a Representation
  • Pursuant to SCR 20:1.16(c), a judge can order a lawyer to stay on a case, notwithstanding good cause for withdrawal. Sarah Peterson offers guidance on how to carry out the representation if the motion is denied.

• • From AI to Access to Justice: AMC 2026 Brings Key Issues into Focus
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin's largest gathering of the year returns to La Crosse on June 10-12, 2026, with CLE sessions on today's pressing practice issues, plenaries on major legal and civic themes, and events that celebrate leadership in the profession.

• • Three PINNACLE Books to Strengthen Everyday Wisconsin Practice
  • These new and updated PINNACLE resources provide attorneys with practical guidance on client mental health concerns, a current statutory reference for probate and estate planning, and a bench-tested guide to criminal and traffic proceedings.

• • Hearing Order 26-01: In RE Amendments to SCR 60.04(4)-(8) Concerning Judicial Campaign-Related Recusal Rules
  • Petition 26-01 asks the court to amend Supreme Court Rules (SCR) 60.04(4), (5), (6), (7), and (8), relating to campaign-related judicial recusals. A public hearing will be held June 4, 2026.

Top Story

• • For Judge Michael Zell, Better Courts Begin with Better Collaboration
  • Judge Michael Zell's path to the bench included work as a solo attorney, prosecutor, and public defender. The State Bar's 2026 Judge of the Year is recognized for his leadership, practical innovation, and commitment to improving the justice system for the people it serves.

Features

• • SCOTUS Watch: Oral Arguments Complete for the Term, 69 Cases Decided
  • SCOTUS Watch appears monthly in InsideTrack Weekly to give members a brief snapshot of the major decisions and issues before the U.S. Supreme Court.

• • Judicial Recusal Rule Petition Hearing Scheduled June 4
  • A proposal by five former circuit court judges before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, set for a public hearing June 4, seeks to change the requirements governing judicial recusal to remove the incentive for big-money judicial campaign contributions.

• • Wisconsin Supreme Court: Asbestos Created Safe-Place Statute Liability
  • A 5-2 Wisconsin Supreme Court majority held that Pabst Brewing Co.'s knowledge of asbestos before ordering pipe repairs drew liability under the safe-place statute. Two dissenting justices said work by the independent contractor caused the unsafe condition.

• • Addressing Wisconsin's Lawyer Shortage: AMC Preview
  • What happens when there aren't enough attorneys to fully develop cases or serve entire regions? Professor Hannah Haksgaard shares insights for Wisconsin's ongoing lawyer shortage ahead of the opening plenary at the State Bar's Annual Meeting & Conference.

• • State Bar President-elect Post Goes to Lisa Lawless
  • Lisa M. Lawless is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Here are the results for the State Bar officer and Board of Governors' elections for 2026-27.

• • AMC: Register Now for Best Rates
  • The early bird rates expire May 7 for the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting & Conference. Register today for CLE and networking in La Crosse this June – we're looking forward to seeing you there!

• • Newly Admitted Wisconsin Lawyers Bring Diverse Paths and Fresh Perspectives
  • A new class of attorneys has joined Wisconsin’s legal community, bringing with them diverse experiences and motivations. From first-generation college graduates to career changers, each reflects a unique path to the profession. Welcome!

• • Your Membership, Your Resources: What to Know About FY2027 Dues
  • State Bar membership connects Wisconsin lawyers to practical tools, professional support, timely legal updates, and opportunities to serve and lead. As FY 2027 dues statements arrive, here's what members need to know.

• • Sharpen Your Practice with CLEs on AI, GAL Work, Guardianship, and Cross-Examination This Month
  • Lawyers still need strong judgment, practical tools, and sound advocacy skills to advocate for their clients. Four upcoming PINNACLE CLE programs address that need with training on using AI, guardian ad litem practice, adult guardianship, and effective cross-examination.

• • Build on Your Visibility: Join the Lawyer Referral Service
  • The State Bar of Wisconsin's Lawyer Referral Service directly connects attorneys with clients. Join now and get May and June free on the annual membership for 2026-27.