Recent Articles from Alex Zank
Beloit School District rescinds scholarship’s racial eligibility criterion following WILL’s legal threat
Under the previous GYO program, the District awarded race-based scholarships of up to $20,000 to certain minority students and staff aspiring to be teachers.
Day One RNC: Trump taps VP; protests erupt during nomination
VP pick once referred to Trump in private Facebook messages as “America’s Hitler” and a “cynical asshole.”
Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
The Supreme Court of Wisconsin reversed and remanded the circuit court’s decision regarding the use of absentee ballot drop boxes.
Separation of Powers- Legislative Oversight of Executive Actions
In this case, the Wisconsin Supreme Court dealt with the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of the state government.
Notice of Recommitment and Involuntary Medication Hearings
The Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed three primary issues: the entry of default judgments against individuals represented by counsel at commitment hearings, the necessity of personal notice for recommitment hearings under Wis. Stat. § 51.20(10)(a), and the forfeiture of the right to competency examinations to refuse medication.
Firearm Possession-Sufficiency of Evidence
Joshua Lee Pietrantonio, convicted of armed robbery, firearm possession by a felon, false imprisonment, carrying a concealed weapon, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping, appealed his convictions for firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon.
Motion for Substitute Counsel
Robert Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jury Instructions
In late 2016, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents began investigating individuals sharing child pornography over peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) brought an action against Townstone Financial, Inc. and its CEO, Barry Sturner, alleging they discouraged black prospective applicants from applying for mortgage loans, violating Regulation B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).
Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights-Parental Medical Neglect
Three sets of parents refused to allow their newborns to receive Vitamin K shots at private hospitals in Illinois, citing concerns about risks and religious reasons.
Eminent Domain
The case centers on a property owned by Indiana Land Trust #3082 in Hammond, Indiana, where Omar and Haitham Abuzir operate a profitable fireworks and tobacco business.
Intrusion Upon Seclusion Claim-§1983 claim
Cassandra Socha, a patrol officer with the Joliet Police Department (JPD), sent a text message to her neighbor criticizing her for testifying in the criminal trial of Socha’s boyfriend.
Legal News
- Outside the RNC, small Milwaukee businesses and their regulars tried to salvage a sluggish week
- Biden called to resign immediately after the president announces he won’t seek reelection
- Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race, endorses Harris
- Local PA cops allegedly thought Trump’s would-be assassin was Secret Service
- Biden-Lead Secret Service admits agency denied past requests by Trump’s campaign for tighter security
- Class action filed against Walgreens
- Former Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant pleads guilty to smuggling contraband
- Two dead, one injured after Ozaukee County water rescue
- RNC Final Day: Trump accepts GOP Nomination
- Wisconsin officials intervene in Planned Parenthood action
- 7th Circuit adopts modifications to Rules 31, 34, 40, 47 and 60
- MPD issues statement on outside agency officer assignments
Case Digests
- Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
- Separation of Powers- Legislative Oversight of Executive Actions
- Notice of Recommitment and Involuntary Medication Hearings
- Firearm Possession-Sufficiency of Evidence
- Motion for Substitute Counsel
- Jury Instructions
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights-Parental Medical Neglect
- Eminent Domain
- Intrusion Upon Seclusion Claim-§1983 claim
- Employment Law- Title VII
- Employment Law