State Bar of Wisconsin | Headline News

Marquette Class of 2012 Welcomed to Profession

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 22, 2012 – More than 160 Marquette Law School graduates were admitted to the profession yesterday. The new lawyers were welcomed by all seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, Marquette Law School Dean Joseph Kearney, former State Bar President Michelle Behnke, and Board of Bar Examiners Director Jacquelynn B. Rothstein.

Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Cannot Be Involuntarily Committed Under Chapter 51

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 21, 2012 – Last week the Wisconsin Supreme Court clarified that individuals with Alzheimer's disease or incurable disorders cannot be involuntarily committed under a statutory scheme designed for short-term commitment and treatment of mentally ill individuals.

State Bar to Reconsider Bylaws for Dues Reduction Arbitration

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 18, 2012 – The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted 5-2 this week to send recently amended bylaws back to the State Bar of Wisconsin so it can rewrite a portion of its dues reduction arbitration procedure.

Federal Court: Salaries Were Actually Dividends to Shareholders, Not Deductible

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 17, 2012 – Federal appeals court Judge Richard Posner recently scolded a Chicago accounting firm for what he called a "cockeyed method of distributing profits to its owners." Now, the firm must pay a large corporate tax and corresponding penalty.

50-year lawyers: Trubek, Froehlich, and Basting Make Lasting Contributions

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 16, 2012 – Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson recently helped honor the many lawyers who forged impressive careers after taking the oath in 1962. This article, from the latest edition of WisBar InsideTrack, highlights three in particular.

Employer Did Not Have a Statutory Right to Cross Examine Independent Doctor

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 15, 2012 – An employer who questioned the extent of an employee’s injury-related disability did not have an automatic statutory or due process right to cross-examine the independent physician appointed to examine the employee, the state supreme court recently ruled.

New PINNACLE Director Brings Her Experience to Legal Education and Information Delivery in Wisconsin

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 14, 2012 – Trish Carrera has a lot of ideas about how the State Bar should deliver its CLE programs and practice books. Carrera joined the State Bar of Wisconsin as its new PINNACLE® director in late March.

Wisconsin Corporate Law Does Not Control Federal Jurisdiction in Stock Appraisal Suit

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 11, 2012 – An investor who challenged the value of stock acquired through a freezeout merger recently lost his federal appeals fight to move appraisal proceedings to state court based on Wisconsin corporate law and subject matter jurisdiction.

New Appellate Practice Checklist Makes Brief Writing Easier

Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 10, 2012 – The Appellate Practice Section has created an Appellate Brief Filing Checklist outlining requirements to help lawyers during the brief-writing process.

Sneak Peek: Wisconsin's Treatment of False Political Speech Tops May Wisconsin Lawyer

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 9, 2012 – Political speech is a highly charged issue these days. In the cover story of the May Wisconsin Lawyer, now available online and in mailboxes soon, author David Pritchard explains how Wisconsin regulates false political speech.