News & Pubs Archives

Adopting and implementing a plan to address the shortage of lawyers in Wisconsin’s rural counties was a top agenda item at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s first board meeting of the fiscal year, held Sept. 23 in Kenosha.

Fifty-six people sought help from volunteer Wisconsin attorneys at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s recent expungement clinic in Kenosha. Here’s why this help is important.

Page Turner shares the features and benefits of Mental Health Law in Wisconsin, a new publication from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has issued an order with an interim rule on filing appellate court documents. E-filing is mandatory in the court of appeals, starting July 1, but mandatory e-filing to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is delayed.

The State Bar of Wisconsin‘s Annual Meeting & Conference last week brought judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals together to discuss a truly challenging year, what disruption has taught the legal profession, and other topics.

Cheryl Furstace Daniels has spent her entire career as a government lawyer, and now she’ll spend the next year governing the State Bar of Wisconsin. Daniels was sworn-in yesterday evening as the State Bar’s 66th president.

The board also discussed a proposed petition to add an anti-discrimination provision in the Wisconsin Rules of Professional Conduct, among other actions.

Spending half their law school years in a pandemic, 158 members of the Class of 2021 from Marquette University Law School celebrate their final steps to becoming a lawyer in Wisconsin. Congratulations, and welcome to the State Bar!

On May 17, the State Bar of Wisconsin welcomed 148 new Wisconsin lawyers – graduates of the University of Wisconsin Law School. All of them overcame the challenges of law school during a pandemic, and are just starting their legal careers.

Margaret Wrenn Hickey of Becker, Hickey & Poster S.C., Milwaukee, 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 2021-22.

The State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors last Friday discussed a proposal to require at least two of 30 CLE credits per reporting period on topics of racial bias and other issues that promote education on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A member of the State Bar's Board of Governors voiced concerns about holding an upcoming board meeting in Kenosha. After discussion, the board will visit Kenosha as planned.

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility now includes court system professionals, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim witness coordinators, court clerks, and other individuals essential to in-person criminal court proceedings.

Page Turner shares the features and benefits of the State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® Codebooks

A new form available through the Wisconsin Court System website makes it less burdensome for indigent individuals to obtain a waiver of court fees and costs by allowing their pro bono, legal aid, or public defender attorneys to submit a petition requestinng the fee waiver.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has approved a petition that gives law students earlier opportunities for practical, hands-on experience through a rule that lets law students represent clients under the supervision of an attorney.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court this week granted the State Bar of Wisconsin’s request to modify the “Emeritus” classification of State Bar membership.

The State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors last Friday (Feb. 26) voted to support a petition pertaining to the retention of circuit court case files and court records.

Page Turner highlights the State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® title, Collections and Bankruptcy in Wisconsin.

Attorneys can obtain up to 30 CLE credits "on-demand" through 2021, providing more stay-at-home options amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

A statue of the Hon. Vel Phillips, one of Wisconsin’s most prominent and influential attorneys over the last 100 years, could be placed on the state Capitol grounds later this year, should the State Capitol and Executive Residence Board approve a proposal.

The Jacob Blake case in Kenosha highlights the ongoing conflict with racial justice in Wisconsin and nationwide. It is a powerful reminder that Wisconsin needs broader criminal justice reform, and we call for the legal community, elected officials, and law enforcement to act now.

Dec. 28, 2020 – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has outlined three tiers of population groups that should be within Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and legal workers should be in the third tier, according to recent guidance from the CDC.

As leaders of the State Bar of Wisconsin, we denounce vicious personal attacks targeting Wisconsin Supreme Court justices and any judge for the decisions they are asked to make while upholding our Constitution and the rule of law.

Shirley Abrahamson, who served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for 43 years before her retirement last year, passed away this past weekend after battling pancreatic cancer. She was 87.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors today voted to support efforts to expand internet broadband access to ensure citizens in rural parts of the state have access to online legal tools, as well as access to attorneys who can help them.

Meet the 2021 State Bar of Wisconsin officer candidates, including two Milwaukee lawyers who are nominees for State Bar president-elect. The candidates represent a wide variety of backgrounds – get to know them before the election in April.

To say that 2020 has been a year of challenges is an understatement. We have been through a lot together, and it's never more important to say thank you, again, for all you do.

In the 2020 State of the Judiciary address last week, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience Roggensack highlighted how Wisconsin courts have “overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19” to serve the people.

As expected, law practice amidst COVID-19 is a primary theme at the State Bar of Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference (Oct. 28-30). Most of 2020, firms have navigated uncertainty and major change. And they still are working through it.

What does it mean to be intentional in assisting your colleagues? Find out from Waukesha attorney David Carlson. Carlson is the 2020 recipient of the John Lederer Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar of Wisconsin Solo, Small Firm, & General Prac

When homeowners constructed a 36x80x16-foot building on their Fond du Lac property, the neighbors complained that it violated the subdivision’s restrictions on structures other than "garages." Recently, a state appeals court ruled for the homeowners.

Circuit courts must revert to restrictions on in-person court proceedings if amending operational plans amidst COVID-19, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled (4-3) in an order that clarifies how circuit courts must manage changing circumstances.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors took several actions at its virtual meeting on Sept. 25, including one to change the emeritus classification of membership that applies to attorneys ages 70 and over.

A state appeals court has ruled that a community organization that sought disclosure of a draft contract between the City of Waukesha and a professional baseball team is entitled to attorney fees in the public records litigation.

Neenah attorney Kathleen Brost, sworn in as the State Bar of Wisconsin's 65th president in a virtual celebration, says her focus continues to be on guiding the State Bar to assist members during a difficult time.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court (4-3) has resolved a case that temporarily blocked the mailing of absentee ballots, ruling that two Green Party candidates did not meet the requirements to be named on the Nov. 3 election ballot.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court (4-3) has temporarily blocked a Dane County public health order that prohibited public and private schools from providing in-person instruction, and required virtual learning until COVID-19 numbers decrease.

The November election will be here before you know it. Amidst COVID-19, many people will want to know how to vote via absentee ballot, and lawyers can help their communities understand the timelines and requirements for doing so.

A state appeals court has reversed a circuit court order expunging a defendant’s convictions, concluding he did not satisfy all conditions of his probation.

A state appeals court has rejected a claim that adult court jurisdiction was improper in the case against Morgan Geyser, who participated in the attempted murder of a 12-year-old classmate in 2014 when Geyser was also 12 years old.

State Bar of Wisconsin members receive a LexBlog 20 blog at no cost for six months, and then $39.99/month thereafter with no setup fee. That’s nearly $240 in savings!

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled in favor of healthcare providers who challenged a Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Medicaid recoupment policy, restricting DHS’s ability to recoup payments for imperfect records.

July 16, 2020 –The same day the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down three of Gov. Tony Evers’ partial vetoes to the 2019-2021 budget bill, a majority ruled that a separate challenge to partial vetoes in Gov. Scott Walker’s 2017-19 budget bill is barred.

In a per curiam opinion with four separate writings, a Wisconsin Supreme Court majority has ruled that Gov. Tony Evers violated his constitutional veto power when he partially vetoed provisions in the 2019-21 biennial budget bill.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has dismissed a lawsuit against State Bar of Wisconsin officers and all seven justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a First Amendment challenge to the bar’s mandatory status.

After former Gov. Scott Walker’s 2018 election defeat, the legislature enacted – and Gov. Walker signed – two major laws impacting the power and authority of the legislative and executive branches. Today, the state supreme court largely upheld them.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled (4-1) that a police officer did not violate a driver’s constitutional rights by asking him to exit the vehicle and searching him before issuing him a traffic citation for failure to wear a seatbelt.

A unanimous Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled that Milwaukee sheriff’s deputies violated a driver’s Fourth Amendment rights when they seized his vehicle and conducted an inventory search before transferring it to an impound lot.

In a case of first impression, the Wisconsin Supreme Court majority (4-3) ruled that a judge violated a litigant’s due process rights by accepting a Facebook “friend” request from a litigant in a pending child custody case.

A criminal defendant sued his criminal defense lawyer for legal malpractice, claiming the lawyer failed to raise an affirmative defense. Recently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected his claim because he could not prove his innocence.

You can combat racism with steps both large and small, say leaders in Wisconsin's legal community. Find out more about the steps you can take as a lawyer and as an individual, as well as in your firm or organization, to build and maintain momentum toward equal justice.

What can the State Bar of Wisconsin do to combat racial injustice, advance equal justice, and promote diversity and inclusion? The State Bar’s Board of Governors discussed the question yesterday at its last meeting of the fiscal year.

It is my great pleasure to welcome Daniel P. Tokaji as the new U.W. Law School Dean. I look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the law school as he leads its faculty and students into the future.

We must now work together to help rebuild the public’s trust and confidence in the rule of law while at the same time work to ensure that all Wisconsin residents have access to a fair and impartial system of justice.

The U.S. Supreme Court today denied a petition for writ of certiorari in a case challenging the mandatory status of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court today issued orders concerning jury trials, suspension of statutory deadlines for non-criminal jury trials, remote hearings in trial and appellate courts, filing documents, court operations, and reopening courts.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a 4-3 decision yesterday blocking an extension of a statewide safe-at-home order that was set to expire May 26, meaning the statewide order impacting individuals and businesses is no longer in effect.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has extended, through May 22, a temporary order allowing court reporters to take depositions remotely, outside the physical presence of a witness, in light of the existing public health emergency.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has unanimously upheld a jury verdict in favor of a physician facing a medical malpractice claim that alleged the doctor did not accurately trace a baby’s heart rate during child birth, causing injury.

Cheryl Daniels of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection in Madison is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Here are results for State Bar officer and Board of Governors' elections for 2020-21.

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.

In the age of the coronavirus, the State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is a great way to expand your practice and bring new clients to your (virtual) doorstep. Join now and get May and June free.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s new Coronavirus & the Law Blog is a repository of articles from attorneys that address the legal impact of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the practice of law in Wisconsin and elsewhere. Visit often – the page will be updated frequently.

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.

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."

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.

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

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 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.

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

From March 23 through April 3, the State Bar of Wisconsin is hosting a series of 10 virtual town hall meeting forums for practitioners to share how they’ve been coping with the abrupt disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

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.

Our primary goal is your safety, health and well-being, as well as that of our State Bar team. We are also focused on providing continued assistance and services to our members.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that claim preclusion did not bar a private landowner’s claim that a new agricultural field road the town agreed to build, under a condemnation petition, was not up to snuff.

The Wisconsin Court System has issued a press release on measures the court system is taking to address COVID-19 coronavirus.

Felony arrest records must be expunged from the state’s crime database because the subject was never charged and the arrests were improperly appended to unrelated ordinance violations, an appeals court has ruled.

A contract purporting to grant certain rights to a sports memorabilia collection is not enforceable, a state appeals court has ruled.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled, in a duty-to-defend issue of first impression, that a school district’s insurer did not breach its duty to defend a lawsuit against the school district and thus was not responsible for additional attorney fees.

The State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors discussed an initial budget proposal for fiscal year 2021, set a dues rebate amount, and heard remarks from Justice Brian Hagedorn, the newest member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled (4-3) that a municipal court had jurisdiction over a drunk driving case charged as an ordinance violation even though the case should have been charged as drunk driving, second offense.

A prized 1938 vehicle worth millions vanished in Milwaukee in 2001, reappearing 14 years later in Europe. Recently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that a replevin action by those claiming rightful ownership was not time-barred.

The estate of a career pipefitter who died from mesothelioma recently lost an appeal on claims that asbestos exposure caused his cancer and the exposure, in the course of his employment, violated the state’s safe place statute.

A circuit court relied on inaccurate information when sentencing a criminal defendant to a 13-year prison term for armed robbery and reckless endangerment, but the error was harmless, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled.

A state appeals court has ruled that the man who escorted a drunk patron to the exit doors of a bar has immunity from the negligence lawsuit that followed when the patron fell down some stairs and suffered injuries to his head.

The maker of acrylic skylights for Jeep Wrangler vehicles sued Dow Chemical Company, alleging Dow Chemical made misrepresentations about an adhesive product. Recently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the case can proceed.

It is with sadness that the State Bar of Wisconsin reports the passing of Past President Steven Levine on Jan. 4, 2020. Levine advocated for a diversity of thought and perspective within Wisconsin’s legal profession. Those who knew and worked with him say

In a case against the State Bar of Wisconsin, two lawyers have filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the First Amendment does not allow compelled membership in the organization.