Home > News & Publications > Wisconsin Lawyer

Features

A new liability framework pairs $133 million in remediation funding with PFAS-specific exemptions that distinguish Wisconsin's approach from those of neighboring states.

By Tressie Kelleher Kamp

Separation of Powers After Evers v. Marklein II

The end of the legislative veto over administrative rules could reshape Wisconsin rulemaking, with significant implications for agencies, lawmakers, and attorneys in regulated fields.

By Christian A. Hanson

Wisconsin's New Patient Representative Legislation

Faster long-term care placement may help ease hospital backlogs, but the new patient representative process also limits judicial oversight and leaves important patient-protection issues unresolved.

By Sarah Ratayczak & Reg Paul Wydeven

Problematic Administrations: When Probate Does Not Go According to Plan

Missing heirs, fiduciary problems, and creditor disputes can complicate probate. Wisconsin law offers tools to keep administration moving.

By Abigail Renee McGowan

Chevron to Loper Bright: Reining in Federal Agency Overreach with the Medicare Secondary Payer Act

For attorneys handling worker's compensation and personal injury matters, Loper Bright could change Medicare set-aside practice and long-standing assumptions about CMS authority.

By Aaron Frederickson

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Make Life Count
State Bar president Stephen Sawyer marks the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with a reflection on career, loss, gratitude, kindness, and living with greater intention.

Your State Bar
Community, Coaching, and Continuity
Jill Rothstein highlights how the Mock Trial Program gives young people a firsthand look at the justice system while giving lawyers and judges a meaningful way to mentor, teach, and give back.

Profile
'Semi-Retired' Judge Diane Sykes Is Grateful 'to Continue to Be of Service'
From Milwaukee County Circuit Court to the Seventh Circuit, Judge Diane Sykes reflects on the experiences that shaped her career and continue guiding her work.

Ethics
Withdrawal Clauses and the Limits of Lawyer Discretion
Can a lawyer withdraw when a client rejects settlement advice? Dean Dietrich explains why the answer cannot be written into an engagement agreement.

Managing Risk
Beyond the Storm: Practical Lessons for Estate Planners Facing Third-Party Claims
Third-party claims can put estate planners at risk. Clear engagement terms, careful documentation, coordinated planning, and effective communication can help protect both lawyer and client.

Solutions
The Benefits and Basics of Charitable Giving
Explore common charitable giving strategies and the potential income, gift, and estate tax benefits they offer, along with key considerations for choosing the right approach.

Rotunda Report
Raising the State Bar of Wisconsin's Profile at the Capitol
Capitol meetings, district visits, and member outreach are helping the State Bar strengthen relationships with policymakers and weigh in earlier on issues affecting Wisconsin lawyers.

Practice Pulse
Cybersecurity Steps Law Firms Can (and Should) Take Now
Cybersecurity starts with everyday habits. Brent Hoeft outlines practical steps law firms can take now to protect client information, reduce risk, and prepare for a breach.

Ethics Opinion
EF-26-01: The Duty to Report the Misconduct of Another Lawyer or Judge
On Sept. 3, 2026, the State Bar of Wisconsin Professional Ethics Committee issued Opinion EF-26-01, discussing the duty to report misconduct by lawyers and judges.

Final Thought
Closing the Justice Gap: Our Collective Responsibility
Five decades after a legal services internship shaped his career, Michael Levey urges lawyers to help close the justice gap through service, funding, and reform.