News & Pubs Archive

April 23, 2020 – Current State Bar of Wisconsin membership cards, which serve as documentary evidence of an individual’s authorization to practice law in Wisconsin, will not expire until Sept. 30, 2020, under an order issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature has challenged an emergency order that extends the statewide “safe-at-home” order issued by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to May 26, 2020.

Time is running out to cast your electronic ballot for State Bar of Wisconsin leadership positions, including State Bar president-elect. The deadline is this Friday, April 24, at noon.

Establishing a constructive trust could be a remedy to hold life insurance proceeds for a decedent’s minor children, a Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled, but the circuit court must first examine the relevant facts to make that decision.

The State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors today approved the organization's budget for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021) at its special meeting, held via videoconference amidst the coronavirus public health emergency.

All in-person proceedings in appellate and circuit courts are suspended until further notice under a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court order, which also clarifies that judges may waive in-person requirements otherwise required in juvenile matters.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court yesterday issued an order to allow notices of appearances, motions, and responses to motions filed in the Court of Appeals or the Wisconsin Supreme Court to be filed electronically by email through May 22.

Yesterday, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order (No. 74) that suspended in-person voting for today's election until June 9, noting the public health emergency. Hours later, the Wisconsin Supreme Court (4-2) struck down the governor’s order.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision last night that blocks an extended deadline to mail absentee ballots in Wisconsin. Under the ruling, absentee ballots must be postmarked or otherwise hand-delivered delivered by April 7 (today) to be counted.

In law practice, there are two distinct uses of videoconferencing: one involves court appearances, and the other involves conferences with clients and colleagues. These two distinct uses of videoconferencing require different ethical considerations.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has extended an order impacting appellate court operations and deadlines for appellate cases in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at the direction of Gov. Tony Evers, today issued a 60-day emergency order that temporarily bans commercial and residential evictions and foreclosures in Wisconsin.

The State Bar's new Coronavirus & the Law elist provides an open forum for members to discuss the evolving issues related to coronavirus and COVID-19 and its impact on the practice of law in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Learn how to join.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued a temporary order until April 30, 2020, allowing court reporters to take depositions remotely, outside the physical presence of a witness, in light of the existing public health emergency.

At the request of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers exempted "Legal Services" from the "Safer at Home" order issued this morning, identifying the profession as "essential business services."

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued three orders regarding Court operations and processes in response to the public health emergency.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is requesting that attorneys be exempt from a "Safer at Home" order after Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he expects to issue the order for Wisconsin in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christopher Shattuck, Aviva Kaiser, and Tim Pierce provide five tips for protecting your clients and your firm while working remotely.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to providing you with the services and support you need to ensure the continued administration of justice.

An emergency rule now allows documents to be notarized remotely online but it does not apply to estate planning and other types of documents, such as wills and trusts.