Features

Conditional Use Permits: Strategies for Local Zoning Proceedings

Whether your goal is to keep a conditional use permit standing or knock it down, learn more about the legal underpinnings of these permits and how to maximize clients’ chances to successfully obtain or defeat the granting of such permits. The author provides legal and political strategies to achieve the desired outcome.

Family Feuds: Mediating Estate and Probate Disputes

No matter the number of beneficiaries or the size of the estate, family feuds about inheritances can result in permanent estrangement. Mediation is a cost-effective, efficient mechanism to resolve such disputes and mend and even strengthen formerly broken ties.

Exclusive Venues: Litigating on a Corporation’s Home Turf

Defending a corporation and its board in shareholder litigation can be the equivalent of playing one football game on two (or more) different fields. Exclusive-venue provisions help corporations reduce the costs of lawsuits by restricting the number of forums. While such provisions have largely been a Delaware phenomenon, they also may benefit companies incorporated in Wisconsin.

Web Extras

Build Trial Experience Through Mentoring

Fewer cases are going to trial and that means young lawyers are no longer getting the experience they need for future litigation. Young lawyers should proactively seek mentoring opportunities and do some self-learning to help build that experience, says Jesse Blocher.

Preparing for First Trial: Know Your Evidence to Overcome Nerves

A lawyer's first trial can be a nerve-racking experience. Once you get the opportunity to represent a client at trial, what should you do to prepare? Start with finding a good mentor who does trial work, then really get to know your evidence, says Andrew Wier.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
While You Help Clients, the Bar Helps You
New State Bar president Ralph Cagle plans to help members attain their fullest realization of each facet of their multi-dimensional lives.

Your State Bar
Rhythm of the Season
As fall approaches, George Brown says volunteers and staff are turning up the heat on State Bar activities.

101
Earn Your Stripes, Part 1: How to Get Civil Trial Experience
Jesse Blocher, Michael Cerjak, and Andrew Wier tell how lawyers can gain civil trial experience, even as fewer civil cases are brought to trial.

As I See It
Low Assigned-Counsel Compensation Shortchanges Justice
The way Wisconsin pays lawyers appointed for criminal defendants causes the indigent accused to receive conflicted representation, says John Birdsall.

Ethics
Stick to the Rules When Using Alternate Advanced Fee Procedure
Dean Dietrich discusses placing advanced fees into a business account for immediate use of funds paid by a client for future legal services.

Marketing
9 New Marketing Tactics for Small Firms to Attract Clients
Fresh from his favorite law firm marketing conference, Larry Bodine shares cutting-edge, must-implement, and tried-and-true ideas.

Technology
So You Want To … Improve Your Workspace
Lawyers spend nearly 40 percent of their waking lives at work. Tison Rhine offers ideas to make your workspace comfortable.

Final Thought
Go Easy on “Old” Atticus
John Skilton has no problem reconciling the “old” and “new” Atticus Finches. People evolve. But both believed “the law” is our tool.