On the Radar
Task Force Addresses Threats Against Federal Judges

Earlier this year, the U.S. Marshals Service released its 2024 annual report, noting that in recent years, “the number of verified threats against federal judges has doubled over historic norms.”

Following the release of the report, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has formed a Judicial Security and Independence Task Force.

Federal judges on the task force will consider how to respond to “current risks” to the judiciary, according to The New York Times.

“The formation of the task force is another sign that the judicial branch is taking seriously an increasingly hostile and politicized climate. In recent weeks, there have been hoax reports of bombs placed in mailboxes. Pizzas have also been anonymously sent to judges’ homes and the homes of their family members, which security experts have said is intended to send a menacing message that the public knows where they live,” the NYT article notes.

The Wisconsin Legislature, in recent years, has passed legislation to bolster judicial security in Wisconsin, including a recent law restricting the public from accessing certain information about judges.

Spotlight
State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting & Conference

It’s that time of year again. Next month, the State Bar of Wisconsin will hold the 2025 Annual Meeting & Conference at the Monona Terrace & Convention Center in Madison, June 18-20.Check out the schedule and register at amc.wisbar.org.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul is the opening speaker, presenting on multistate litigation against the federal government.

The closing plenary will focus on judicial review of agency decisions, including discussions on the Tetra Tech and Loper Bright decisions, from the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Panelists include former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Patience D. Roggensack, former Dane County Circuit Court Judge Shelley Gaylord, and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Professor James B. Speta.

At this largest gathering of Wisconsin legal professionals of the year, AMC attendees can access up to 11.5 CLE credits, networking events, and the legal expo hall.

By the Numbers
60%

The percentage of respondents who said trained legal professionals without a law degree should be allowed to handle straightforward legal issues, in a 2024 survey conducted by the National Center for State Courts.

The survey polled 1,000 registered voters. About 60% also said the word “political” describes state courts well. About 54% said state courts are doing a good or excellent job, up 3 percentage points from 2023. Key takeaways from the survey:

• Public trust in state courts is showing small gains for the second year in a row.

• For the fourth year in a row, state courts are earning a stronger job approval rating.

• Few see state courts providing help for self-represented litigants, with most supporting a proposal to license allied legal professionals.

• Respondents expressed a hunger for justice innovation – ranging from the use of artificial intelligence to more problem-solving dockets.

Source: Center for State Courts

Quotable
“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”
– Chief Justice John G. Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court, on March 18, 2025.

Sources: Fox News, Associated Press, Axios

Did You Know?
2025 Law School Rankings

U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2025 Law School rankings, with Stanford topping the list, followed by Yale and the University of Chicago. The University of Wisconsin Law School came in at no. 28, and Marquette University Law School ranked no. 59.

The tuition at Marquette University Law School for the 2024-25 academic year (12 or more credits) was $50,950. Tuition at the U.W. Law School for the 2024-25 school year was $37,232 for residents and $53,928 for nonresidents.

For the 2024 first-year class, Marquette received 1,584 applications. Of those, 194 were enrolled. At the U.W. Law School, for the 2024 first-year class, 1,818 applied, and 227 enrolled.

Source: Marquette University Law School; U.W. Law School; American Bar Association