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Features

Civil Litigation Series
Marching On: Wisconsin's Peculiar Products Liability Law After Murphy

Plaintiffs in Wisconsin courts suing manufacturers for injuries caused by alleged product design defects must now meet both the reasonable-alternative-design requirements and the consumer-contemplation test. Here's what you need to know.

By Richard Thomas Orton & Aaron R. Wegrzyn

Post-Election Municipal Issues: Oaths, Bonds, Vacancies, and Organizational Meetings

The author discusses oaths of office, bonds, time of taking office, de facto officers, vacancies, and other spring organizational and transitional issues affecting new municipal officers and bodies.

By Claire Silverman

Civil Litigation Series
Brett Favre’s Hail Mary: Defamation Cases and First Amendment Protections

When do statements about people and events in the news cross the line from legitimate commentary and become libel or slander (collectively, defamation)? Ongoing litigation involving former football star Brett Favre might help clarify the law.

By David Perry Hollander & Douglas M. Poland

The Pugilist’s Guide to Brief Writing

The author provides tips for the non-physical-contact activity of creating persuasive arguments in litigation, gleaned from the experiences of boxing greats, including Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, and Mike Tyson.

By Jesse Blocher

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Pro Bono: Make a Big Impact by Doing Something Small
Margaret Hickey says a few hours' pro bono assistance from a lawyer can make a huge difference for individuals struggling with seemingly insurmountable legal issues.

Your State Bar
Every Member, Every Year
The "Every Member, Every Year" campaign supports and expands the mission and work of the Wisconsin Law Foundation. Larry Martin requests your help.

Ethics
Opposing Party Cancelling Deposition 30 Minutes Before Start
Dean Dietrich cautions lawyers to think twice before engaging in actions that, although not violations of the ethics rules, convey an attitude of incivility.

Solutions - Civil Litigation Series
Bottom Up Podcast: Discussing Intersections Between Law and Life
Do you want to listen as you learn about legal practice? Joe Forward says tune in to Bottom Up, a WisLawNOW podcast produced by the State Bar of Wisconsin, for engaging conversations led by co-hosts Emil Ovbiagele and Kristen Hardy.

Marketing
What Your Firm Should Have in Common with Sports Illustrated
Emily Kelchen advises using a content calendar for website and social media postings. Doing so makes it easier to bring in the types of clients you want.

Solutions - Rural Practice Series
Demystifying Law Practice in Greater Wisconsin
Over the coming months, attorneys will share their experiences to help demystify the professional and personal realities of practicing in rural Wisconsin. Paige Juel leads the series with a look at lawyer and nonlawyer population numbers in rural areas.

Technology
AI and Emerging Technology Can Increase Law Practice Efficiencies
All lawyers should periodically explore new products and technology, including those that use artificial intelligence. Christopher Shattuck says many tools will pay for themselves by opening up time for additional billable work.

Blogs of the Month
Featured Blogs of the Month
Blogs selected for this column are published through the State Bar of Wisconsin's section blogs and WisLawNOW, the State Bar's aggregated community of Wisconsin legal bloggers.

Final Thought
Justice in 2023
50-year member Gerry Mowris says the more things change, the more they remain the same. It's time to adequately fund the criminal justice system.