Court Developments, Orders & More
View up-to-date listings of court developments, government orders, press releases and more. Click to jump to a section below.
Meetings and Events - Update
All meetings will be held in a teleconference format indefinitely.
These major events are canceled or postponed:
• Canceled: Annual Meeting & Conference, June 11-12, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake
• Postponed: Presidential Swearing-in Ceremony (new date: Oct. 29, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference
• Location Change: June Board of Governors’ Meeting & Awards Lunch is now scheduled for June 10, State Bar Center, Madison
• Postponed: Lawyer Well-being Task Force, April 24 (new date TBD)
• Postponed: 50-year Member Celebration, May 6, Delafield (new date TBD)
• Postponed: Senior Lawyers Division Annual CLE, May 7, Milwaukee, and May 19, Madison (new dates TBD)
• Postponed: Wisconsin Law Foundation Events Honoring Justices Wilcox and Butler, May 19, Madison; May 28, Milwaukee (new dates TBD)
• Canceled: Door County Intellectual Property Academy, July 16-17, Stone Harbor, Sturgeon Bay.
Please contact customer service if you have any questions on changes to these or other events and meetings at (608) 257-3838, (800) 728-7788 (nationwide), or by email at org service wisbar wisbar service org.
Updated June 15, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to doing our part in helping to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and protect those who are at higher risk with as little disruption as possible.
Our primary goal is your safety, health and well-being, as well as that of our State Bar team. We are also focused on providing continued assistance and services to our members. Please know that the State Bar is committed to assisting you as best we can while trying to minimize disruption.
While we are limiting in-person functions, the core functions of the organization continue, including support from WisLAP, Practice 411 and the Ethics hotline programs.
Please note that we are limiting visitors at the State Bar Center, which is currently closed to non-State Bar employees. Contact customer service if you need assistance at (608) 257-3838 or (800) 728-7788 (nationwide), or by email at org service wisbar wisbar service org.
While the State Bar has greatly reduced the number of employees working in the State Bar office through remote work arrangements, our dedicated team is working just as hard to assist you.
Get updates on these measures the State Bar is taking:
Webcast Programming Continues
Although the State Bar has indefinitely suspended in-person PINNACLE® programming and meetings, we’ve ramped up the use of technology to keep our members informed and connected. Meanwhile, PINNACLE webcast replays and OnDemand seminars continue as scheduled.
Find a listing of coronavirus-related CLE programming on the WisBar Marketplace. This programming includes topics on telecommuting, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, business continuity and disaster planning, ethical and logistical considerations, public health and due process, counseling employers, small business economic relief, issues of employee benefits raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
In lieu of cancellation of in-person seminars, members who were registered to attend in-person PINNACLE seminars may participate via live webcast. Members may also request refunds on any paid in-person event registrations indefinitely.
Hear Recordings of the Free, One-Hour Town Hall Forums
Held in late March and early April, the State Bar hosted 13 town hall forums to provide a place for practitioners to share how they’ve been coping with the abrupt disruptions caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak, and to address questions specific to their practice areas. On April 9, the State Bar also held a town hall on COVID-19 Financial Relief for Law Firms.
Recordings of these forums are now available at no cost to State Bar members. To access the forums, follow this link to the WisBar Marketplace.
Town Hall Meeting Forum recordings are available for these areas:
- Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Creditors’ Rights
- Criminal Law & Appellate Practice
- Elder Law
- Family & Children and the Law
- Government
- Health & Insurance
- Labor and Employment & Business
- Litigation
- Public Interest & Civil Rights & Immigration & International Law
- Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law & Estate Planning
- Solo, Small Firm, & General Practice
- Taxation
- Financial Relief
Resources and Advice: Returning to Work
Here is a list of State Bar and other resources to help you on reopening your law firm. These resources provide advice and guidelines created by experts in the field to help you walk through the steps and create the plan best suited for your law firm and for your particular situation.
Lawyers Can Obtain Up to 30 CLE Credits On-Demand
At the request of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has temporarily eased CLE rules. Through the end of the year, lawyers can now get all 30 credits through on-demand programs.
Lawyers must obtain 30 credits per two-year reporting period. CLE rules limit the number of on-demand CLE credits to 15. However, the court’s temporary order means lawyers who must obtain their 30 credits by the end of this year can obtain all of them through on-demand programs, rather than live in-person or live webcast programs.
The blog will serve as a repository of articles from attorneys and others, addressing the legal impact of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the practice of law in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
The blog provides another channel for lawyers to stay informed about what’s happening amidst this pandemic, and to contribute information. Members can subscribe to the RSS feed to receive notification when new information is posted.
Ethics, Business Continuity, and Disaster Planning
If you have confidential questions, please direct those to the Ethics Hotline at (800) 254-9154 or Practice411 at (800) 957-4670. For additional resources, turn to the Wisconsin Law Firm Self-Assessment section on business continuity and disaster planning.
Ongoing Efforts. The State Bar is actively and regularly monitoring this evolving situation and taking direction from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and other national and local health organizations.
We will continue to make adjustments for both our members and staff as the situation warrants, and keep you informed on the developments on this webpage and in other communication channels.
Wisconsin Court Developments
Supreme Court Order re Resumption of in-Person Proceedings in Attorney Regulatory Matters (June 8, 2020)
Supreme Court order re Emergency Procedures Related to the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’s Temporary Moratorium on Eviction Filings (June 5, 2020)
Supreme Court order re Modification of Supreme Court Rule 40.03 (Diploma Privilege) Due to COVID-19 Pandemic (June 1, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Matter of the Extension of Orders Concerning Remote Administration of Oaths at Depositions, Remote Hearings in Appellate Courts, Filing of Documents in Appellate Courts and Appellate Court Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 22, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Matter of the Extension of Orders and Interim Rule Concerning Continuation of Jury Trials, Suspension of Statutory Deadlines for Non-Criminal Jury Trials, and Remote Hearings During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 22, 2020).
Supreme Court Order re Matter of the Final Report of the Wisconsin Courts COVID-19 Task Force (May 22, 2020)
FINAL REPORT: Chief Justice’s Wisconsin Courts COVID-19 Task Force (May 15, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Emergency Procedures for the Witnessing of Wills, Codicils, Powers of Attorney for Health Care, and Declarations to Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 4, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Remote Administration of Oaths at Depositions Via Remote Audio-Visual Equipment During the Covid-19 Pandemic (EXTENSION) (April 28, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Extension of Expiration of 2020 State Bar of Wisconsin Membership Cards (April 23, 2020)
Supreme Court re Extending Order on Remote Hearings and Clarifying Order for Juvenile Cases (April 15, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Filing of Court Documents in Circuit and Appellate Courts (Temporary Mailbox Rule) (April 13, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Appellate Court Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Supplemental Order Regarding Notices of Appearance, Motions, and Responses to Motions (April 8, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Judicial Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 3, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Extension of Order on Appellate Court Operations, Deadlines (April 2, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Remote Administration of Oaths at Depositions Via Remote Audio-Visual Equipment During the Covid-19 Pandemic (March 25, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Admission to the Bar During The Covid-19 Pandemic (March 25, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Jury Trials during COVID-19 (March 22, 2020)
Supreme Court Order re Videoconferencing during COVID-19 (March 22, 2020)
Supreme Court Order for Cancellation of 3-30-20 and 4-1-20 Arguments (March 22, 2020)
Circuit Court and Tribal Court Emergency Orders
Wisconsin Court System News Feed
Appellate Courts Remain Operational With Some Limitations in Service (March 18, 2020)
Supreme Court Temporarily Eases CLE Rules, Lawyers Can Get More On-Demand Credits (March 18, 2020)
Supreme Court Issues Order on Appellate Court Operations, Deadlines During Pandemic (March 18, 2020)
Federal Court Developments
Judiciary Provides Public, Media Access to Electronic Court Proceedings (April 3, 2020)
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Other U.S. Court Orders and Updates
Government Orders
State of Wisconsin Executive Orders Page
Audit and Collection Relief Related to COVID-19 - proposed guidance document – March 27, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 12: Safer at Home Order – March 24, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 9: Order to the Department of Corrections – March 20, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 8: Updated Mass Gathering Ban – March 20, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 7: Order to the Department of Workforce Development Regarding Unemployment Insurance – March 18, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 6: Order Restricting the Size of Child Care Settings – March 18, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 5: Order Prohibiting Mass Gatherings of 10 People or More – March 17, 2020
Gov. Evers Emergency Order 1: Order for Statewide School Closure – March 13, 2020
Executive Order 72, Relating to Declaring a Health Emergency in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus – March 12, 2020
State of Wisconsin Press Releases
State of Wisconsin Press Releases Page
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Issue Safer at Home Order – March 24, 2020
Gov. Evers Suspends Utility Rules and Allows for Additional Consumer Protections – March 22, 2020
Gov. Evers Announces New Order Relating to Department of Public Instruction – March 22, 2020
Gov. Evers Urges Wisconsinites to Stay Home – March 21, 2020
Gov. Evers Announces Federal Approval for Disaster Loans for Small Businesses – March 20, 2020
Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Updated Mass Gatherings Order – March 20, 2020
Gov. Evers Urges the Public to Help Keep Our Healthcare Workers Safe – March 19, 2020
Gov. Evers Waives Work Search and Modifies Availability Requirements for Unemployment Benefits – March 18, 2020
Gov. Evers Orders Scaling Down of all Child Care Settings – March 18, 2020
Gov. Evers Submits Request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance for Small Wisconsin Businesses – March 18, 2020
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Limit Gatherings to Less Than 10 to Slow Spread of COVID-19 – March 17, 2020
Gov. Evers Directs DHS to Mandate Statewide Closure of All K-12 Wisconsin Schools – March 13, 2020
Gov. Evers Declares Public Health Emergency Due to COVID-19 – March 12, 2020