Features

Sweeping Changes to Rules of Civil Procedure

The Wisconsin Legislature recently enacted 2017 Wis. Act 235. The act, prepared without the input usually provided by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Council for laws affecting civil pro-cedure, makes substantial changes about which all civil litigators must be aware. The authors expect litigants and courts will face uncertainties and chal-lenges as they litigate under the new rules.

By Ryan M. Billings, Robert L. Gegios & Melinda A. Bialzik

Mass Incarceration: The Fiscal & Social Costs

In Part 2 of the "Owning the Problem" series, the author summarizes the financial costs of mass incarceration and compares Wisconsin's prison costs and incarceration rates to those of nearby states. He then explains the social costs: to the imprisoned individuals, to their families, and to their communities.

By Michael O'Hear

Frozen In Time:
Criminal Justice System & Public Defender Pay

Compensation for private-bar lawyers appointed to represent indigent criminal defendants is woefully inadequate – whether appointed by the SPD's Office or by the circuit courts. The author analyzes the problems with the publicly appointed attorney system and offers possible solutions.

By Thomas John Walsh

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Maintaining the Rule of Law
The difference between a civilized society and chaos is a good legal system, says President Paul Swanson, and lawyers play a crucial role.

Your State Bar
A House Divided
Executive Director Larry Martin says while many things divide Americans, there is much to celebrate in the United States.

Ethics
Can Discovery Put Clients at Cross-purposes?
Yes, says Dean Dietrich. Taking an existing client's deposition for another client's matter should be conducted by the lawyer with great caution, if at all.

Solutions
We Need to Talk: Preparing Senior Lawyers for Retirement
Lawyers often avoid difficult conversations when the topic is their own or a colleague's career. Ida Abbott offers tips for having the talk about retirement.

Technology
Managing Your Digital Files
In addition to preserving physical messages and notes, Christopher Shattuck says lawyers should consider storing the metadata contained in electronic documents.

Managing Risk
Top 10 Ways to Avoid a Malpractice Claim
Tom Watson lists 10 ways to avoid spending your legal malpractice insurance deductible.

Career
Dispelling Workplace Myths About Millennial Lawyers
Megan Heneke says lawyers from the millennial generation are less "different" than their older colleagues might think, but the changes they do bring to the profession are positive.

On Balance
4 Ways to Conquer Self-doubt
Paula Davis-Laack provides tips to help develop self-efficacy – the type of confidence that helps you achieve.

Final Thought
Now Imagine …
Cynthia Herber believes one of the best ways to be a better lawyer is to step into your clients' shoes and view the world through their eyes.