Legal News & Trends
OPeN for business - A new resource offers online access to
records
The Online Professional Electronic Network (OPeN) is a new State
Bar-endorsed resource that provides round-the-clock access to background
information on individuals and companies. OPeN, a joint venture of the
Ohio State Bar Association and the Kansas-based Professional Electronic
Networks, is a subscriber-based information service that offers online
access to public and proprietary databases, including:
- driver records;
- Social Security number verification;
- incorporation filings;
- education and degree verification;
- employment history verification;
- UCC filings;
- arrest and conviction records;
- real property records;
- consumer and commercial credit reports; and
- bankruptcy, lien, and judgment records.
OPeN serves thousands of companies and professionals - including
attorneys, banks, collection firms, human resource professionals, and
security companies - nationwide. Mequon attorney William Ardern of the
State Bar Member Relations Committee, says the service "is very
worthwhile. Attorneys can save time and effort with OPeN, accessing
important - and correct - information quickly."
The discounted monthly membership fee for State Bar members is $10
for accounts of 20 or fewer users, and $13 for 20 or more users. There
are additional (discounted) fees for accessing certain databases.
A subscription includes software, a user manual, toll-free technical
support, training, a quarterly newsletter, and free printing and
downloading of records. For more information on OPeN, check out WisBar at or call OPeN at (800)
366-0106.
New Catholic law school
to open in fall of 2000
The Ave Maria Foundation has announced plans to build a new Catholic
law school in the Ann Arbor, Mich., area. The Ave Maria School of Law,
opening in the fall of 2000, will offer students a comprehensive legal
curriculum with a grounding in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
"The motto we have chosen, 'Fides et ratio,' is Latin for faith and
reason," says Ave Maria Foundation Chair Thomas Monaghan. "This motto
will demonstrate that one can pursue both academic excellence and a
strong religious conviction."
Average punitive damage amount awarded in U.S. courts in 1998 for
cases calling for punitive damages: $2.5 million
Source: Industry Week, Oct. 19, 1998.
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The foundation has named Bernard Dobranski, currently dean of
Catholic University School of Law in Washington, D.C., as Ave Maria's
first dean. According to Dobranski, the school will offer students the
latest technology and a law library that exceeds American Bar
Association (ABA) requirements. "One of the most important aspects of
any law school is the quality of its library. Our intention is to exceed
all standards right at the start," says Dobranski.
The school also has retained the services of Thomas Morgan, a law
professor at Brigham Young Law School, as its ABA consultant.
Representatives of Ave Maria have already met with ABA and Department of
Education officials, and the school is actively seeking ABA and
Department of Education accreditation.
For more information on the Ave Maria School of Law, call (734)
930-4408.
Previous CLE courses may satisfy
new GAL training requirement
Supreme Court Rule 35, effective July 1, requires attorneys wishing
to serve as guardians ad litem (GALs) in family court to complete 30
hours of approved GAL education. The rule further provides that
attorneys may accept a GAL appointment if at the time of the appointment
they have attended six hours of GAL-approved education. Those six hours
may have been obtained during the current or the immediate preceding CLE
reporting period.
The Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) has approved certain courses,
conducted after Jan. 1, 1995, for GAL credit. If you have taken a course
since Jan. 1, 1995 that you believe qualifies for GAL credit, you must
submit CLE Form 5, available from the BBE, for approval.
Attorneys can receive up to 13.0 GAL credits by attending both days
of the video replays of the State Bar CLE "GAL Training" courses, which
are scheduled for June 16-17 and July 14 and 21. In addition, attorneys
can receive up to eight GAL credits at an Oct.1 State Bar CLE seminar
that will explore the roles of lawyers and psychologists in child
custody disputes. For more information on State Bar CLE seminars, call
(608) 257-3838 or (800) 728-7788.
For a copy of CLE Form 5, call the BBE office at (608) 266-9760 or
send an email.
Fieschko receives annual writing award
Madison attorney Craig
Allen Fieschko is this year's recipient of the Hon. Charles Dunn Author
Award, which is presented annually by the State Bar Communications
Committee. The award, named after Wisconsin's first chief justice,
recognizes writing excellence in Wisconsin Lawyer articles.
Fieschko was lauded for his May 1998 article "The Great Computer Crash of
2000," which is "a well-written article on a timely subject,"
according to Don Wall, a Communications Committee Award Subcommittee
member. "Fieschko shows how broadly a computer defect can affect the
life and practice of virtually every lawyer from now through next
year."
Fieschko, a registered patent attorney with DeWitt Ross & Stevens
S.C., receives a plaque at the Board of Governors luncheon on June 23
during the State Bar Annual Convention in Green Bay.
WILMIC declares 15 percent dividend
Wisconsin law firms insured with Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Co.
(WILMIC) received a 15 percent dividend in April, the first dividend
ever paid by the mutual company.
WILMIC's invested assets have grown to $19 million, most of which is
held in reserve to pay incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses.
According to Melvin G. McCartney, president and chief executive officer,
claim losses and reserves have remained constant, but capital gains on
investments have grown as a result of the strong investment market.
In addition to the dividend payment, the WILMIC board of directors
recently authorized the company to redeem another 20 percent of mutual
bond principal. To date, WILMIC has repaid $2.8 million, 80 percent of
the principal of the mutual bonds issued to capitalize the company in
1986 and 1987.
WILMIC was founded in 1986 by Wisconsin lawyers, with the support of
the State Bar of Wisconsin, who needed a stable alternative to the
commercial market for professional liability insurance.
This month on the Web - "Picturing Justice" looks at media's view of
lawyers
Sponsored by the University of San Francisco, "Picturing Justice"
explores the media's portrayal of lawyers. The site posts reviews
(written by contributing lawyers/authors) of movies and television shows
that feature lawyers or legal issues.
Recent posts include reviews of "A Civil Action," "Pleasantville,"
"Ally McBeal," and "The Practice." The site also includes links to other
film, TV, and law-related Web sites; and an area for readers'
comments.
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