Generally, parties in litigation are responsible for their own attorney’s fees, under the so-called “American Rule” that applies in Wisconsin. However, there’s an exception when a party is “wrongfully drawn into the litigation with a third party.”

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently ruled that a criminal defendant waived his statutory right to be present at his own trial by engaging in manipulative and disruptive behavior, even though he did not expressly waive his right on record.

The January Wisconsin Lawyer explores the intersection of criminal and civil laws in a personal injury context, considers how to best help clients who survive domestic abuse, and examines a commercial court pilot project. Planning a smartphone purchase? A comparison chart makes your decision easier.

Charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and reckless homicide, Taran Raczka was prepared to argue that a seizure caused the accident that killed his co-worker. But the circuit court ruled the jury could not hear that evidence.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled (5-2) that a defendant cannot withdraw his guilty plea even though the trial court did not fully comply with the state statute that requires judges to advise defendants about immigration consequences.

Menards CEO John Menard Jr. recently fought off an appeal in the long-running dispute between his business and his ex-fiancée, Minnesota lawyer Debra Sands, who sued Menard Inc. and affiliates on the grounds of unjust enrichment.

President Donald Trump has nominated Gordon P. Giampietro, an assistant general counsel at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

Land enlisted for timber growth before 1986 is exempt from property tax under state law, but a “severance tax” on timber applies to expired contracts unless the landowner is a sovereign Indian Tribe, a state appeals court recently ruled.

Gov. Scott Walker is seeking applicants for judicial appointment to the circuit court bench in Milwaukee and Rock counties.

The 2018 State Bar of Wisconsin officer candidates represent Wisconsin from Keshena to Mauston, to Madison and Milwaukee. They are “outstanding, diverse, and committed to the profession,” says State Bar President-elect Chris Rogers.

Brendan Dassey, who confessed to murder in 2005 and was featured in the popular Netflix docuseries “Making a Murderer,” recently lost an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, which upheld a Wisconsin state court decision.

An employee embezzled about $34 million from her employer through banking transactions. The employer sued the bank, asserting a violation of the Wisconsin Uniform Fiduciaries Act, but a state appeals court recently upheld dismissal of the case.

The print December Wisconsin Lawyer is hitting mailboxes now. But why wait?

Ginger Breitzman was convicted on various counts of physical child abuse and neglect against her 14-year-old son. But she was also convicted for hurling profanities at him, disorderly conduct, which she considered protected free speech.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently upheld an actual damages award, attorney fees, and double costs in favor of an estate that filed a small claims action against the decedent’s niece for civil theft of funds from the estate.

The fee for admission to practice law in Wisconsin pro hac vice would increase by $50 under a proposal that the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors unanimously supported at today’s meeting at the State Bar Center in Madison.

A cab owner leased his cab to a driver, who subleased it to another driver, who complained that he should be considered an “employee” of the cooperative that dispatched the cab to passengers and should thus receive the minimum wage.

A woman challenged the constitutionality of Chicago’s public nudity ordinance after receiving a ticket on “GoTopless Day 2014.” She was wearing body paint on her upper body, but no shirt. Recently, she lost an appeal.

State Bar of Wisconsin members, including lawyers and judges, work tirelessly to serve individuals and families, businesses, governments, communities, and the legal profession. Thank you. Your work matters. You make a difference.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Roggensack delivered the annual State of the Judiciary Address this week, highlighting court efforts to combat the opioid epidemic that plagues Wisconsin and the country.