WLJ Legal News News

Commentary: Coming Soon: The Intentional Tort of Texting

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:51:25 CDT

Every legal theory has to start somewhere. Punitive damages for drunken drivers didn’t arrive overnight. Punitive damages for intentionally disregarding the rights of others in general didn’t arrive overnight. It took a tragedy at Milwaukee’s Miller Park for the Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide in the victim’s favor on punitive damages.

More public defender appointments to open up for private bar

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:19:50 CDT

Starting in the summer of 2011, private bar attorneys interested in State Public Defender appointments can expect to see an increase in opportunities to defend low-income clients.

A new law signed by Gov. Jim Doyle on March 15 expands the 23-year old eligibility standards that determine who can qualify for a public defender.

Change in ways cures breach of contract

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:17:06 CDT

No matter how egregious a dealership’s breach of contract, if it changes its ways, it has “cured” the breach and cannot be terminated.

Firms flexing their hours to retain talent

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:13:23 CDT

When attorney Ann M. Rieger graduated from law school in 1988, the concept of flexible work schedules was something of a novelty.

Sick leave heads to Wisconsin Supreme Court

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:06:34 CDT

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted the lawsuit over Milwaukee’s sick leave law.

Fewer slices of the pie: Local firms cut partner elections, mirror national trend

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:53:49 CDT

Making partner at a law firm is like finally biting into a juicy piece of a pie you've spent years laboring to bake.

Appeals in Milwaukee County skyrocket

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:46:51 CDT

Case filings from Milwaukee County courts in 2009 reveal a number of interesting trends.

ABA sides with law school

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:40:34 CDT

Washington (Dolan) — In a Supreme Court battle between the right of a law school to enforce rules barring discrimination and students’ First Amendment right to free association, the American Bar Association has taken the side of the law school.

Official: Not enough votes for expulsion of Wisconsin lawmaker

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:32:44 CDT

Madison (AP) — A plan to expel a Wisconsin assemblyman charged three times with driving under the influence appeared to have failed Tuesday after a key lawmaker said supporters failed to make their case.

Newspapers lawsuit against Doyle dismissed

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:06:00 CDT

Madison (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by The Capital Times newspaper that claimed Gov. Jim Doyle’s office improperly delayed the release of public records.

BOG candidate looks for voice in mandatory bar discussion

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:49:48 CDT

The State Bar of Wisconsin released its list of candidates vying for two-year terms on the Board of Governors starting on July 1.

Court supports unauthorized practice petition

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:47:40 CDT

The state Supreme Court unanimously voted on March 8 to support in principle a petition filed by the State Bar of Wisconsin that would clearly define what constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.

Trek Bicycle cant sue Trek Winery in Wisconsin

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:46:12 CDT

If high-end bicycle manufacturer Trek wants to pursue a claim for trademark infringement against tiny Trek Winery in California, they will have to find a forum outside of Wisconsin to do it.

High Court ruling that lawyers are debt relief agents gets mixed reaction

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:09:34 CDT

Washington – Bankruptcy attorneys may be more careful about how they advise their clients after the U.S Supreme Court’s holding this week that the communication and disclosure rules that apply to debt relief agents also apply to them.

Repeal of sentencing guidelines retroactive

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:04:17 CDT

State court defendants looking for resentencing based on a court’s failure to consider the sentencing guidelines are out of luck.

Coping with recantation: Shaky testimony can benefit, burn defense

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:02:00 CDT

In a criminal trial, a nervous or upset witness can forget answers to the most mundane questions.

Commentary: Telling the brief tale

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:57:09 CDT

Most lawyers have neither the time nor the resources to produce extensively researched and intricately crafted legal briefs. The process is often viewed as a time-eating money loser, and so assigned to young, inexperienced associates. Briefs, however, and the research that goes into them, are critical to successful litigation.

Law firm can't block bankruptcy dismissal

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:40:16 CDT

Boston (Dolan) — A law firm that acted as counsel for the creditors’ committee in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy lacked standing to challenge dismissal of the case, the 7th Circuit has ruled.

Former judge defends sentencing guidelines

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:33:40 CDT

The federal sentencing guidelines are now advisory, rather than mandatory. But district judges should still be cautious in departing from them, advised Hon. Mark R. Filip, a former federal judge and former Deputy Attorney General.

Board of Governors opposes lifetime ban on practice

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:25:12 CST

Lawyers who lose their licenses should still have the ability to apply for reinstatement after five years.

Videotape can be played during closing

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:06:30 CST

Prosecutors can play witnesses’ videotaped statements during closing arguments.

Attorney-client privilege claim denied

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:04:27 CST

The Seventh Circuit has maintained a high bar for obtaining appellate review of adverse decisions on the attorney-client privilege.

Court takes up another gun law challenge

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:57:52 CST

Washington – The U.S. Supreme Court appears poised to hold that the Second Amendment protections established two years ago in D.C. v. Heller apply to cities and states through the Fourteenth Amendment. But whether the extent of those protections requires the Court to strike down Chicago’s handgun ban remains unclear.

Wisconsin attorneys pursue cases tied to Toyota recall

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:36:42 CST

As the recall totals of Toyota vehicles continue to climb, personal injury attorneys around the country are getting involved in suits against the automaker.

Take care in classifying employees

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:34:27 CST

Karla Osolin was disappointed with her first paycheck from Turocy & Watson LLP, a boutique intellectual property firm in Cleveland, Ohio.