Embracing Web 2.0
So much to your children’s embarrassment, you’re on Facebook for fun and maybe marketing, too. Want to really annoy your kids? Embrace Web. 2.0. You’ll soon be all over the Web, and probably even getting new clients along the way. It’s been an effective and cost-effective strategy for Madison’s Scott E. Mickelson, of Scott E. […]
When is contempt continuing?
As almost any family law attorney can attest, manipulative payors exist. Unfortunately, due to a recent decision from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, their gamesmanship may continue. Christensen v. Sullivan, 2009 WI 87 (July 21, 2009), concerned a 2006 order of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court on a motion for monetary damages as a remedial sanction […]
To charge or not to charge, That is the question
Believe it or not, some lawyers are getting new business from new clients, and when they do they may face an issue that, if not handled properly, could stop new business before it starts. The issue: whether to charge a prospective client a fee for an initial consultation. The wisdom of charging in this situation […]
State Bar is squandering dues again
I’m so excited. The Wisconsin State Bar is updating its logo and slogan. It seems like just yesterday that they came up with the slogan, “Expert Advisers. Serving You.” For whatever reason, what was good enough a few years ago isn’t good enough anymore. So they are spending time and resources developing a new slogan […]
Congressional overreaching
Congress is exceeding its Commerce Clause powers again. This time, it’s S. 909, the “Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act,” which was recently passed by the Senate. Congress actually invokes two sources of authority for the law: to guarantee citizens the rights secured by the Fourteenth Amendment; and to regulate interstate commerce. One of Congress’ […]
Want to ‘Google’ something? Try Bing
Just about every time I interview an attorney and ask what he or she does for fun, the answer invariably is “travel.” If that’s your interest, you might want to visit Bing.com the next time you’re searching the Web. The basics about Bing, which, it’s speculated, might stand for “But It’s Not Google!”: It’s a […]
Identifying red flags of investment fraud
There is no shortage of allegations of investment fraud since the stock market tanked last year. Last month attorney Marc Dreier was sentenced to 20 years in prison for heading a Ponzi scheme that caused investors to lose more than $400 million. Are there more investment scams occurring, or have market conditions just led to […]
Life is unfair – but layoffs shouldn’t be
Law firms are not exempt from the legal requirements to operate a workplace free from discrimination. That means ensuring that characteristics other than an individual’s skills, experience and knowledge do not become factors in making employment decisions — including layoffs and terminations. Firms that are subjective and personalized in employment decisions and are more arbitrary [&he[...]
Potential harm averted in Tensfeldt decision
While family lawyers were sleeping, two bullets were dodged. Or, more accurately, one bullet was dodged and one deflected for the time being. Last week, I summarized the family law portions of the recent Supreme Court decision in Tensfeldt v. Haberman, 2007AP001638 (July 14, 2009). This article will take a critical look at its implications […]
Of doctors, lawyers and ownership
For insight into the legal profession’s current troubles, compare the career experience of lawyers with that of doctors. In the medical profession, interns work with older practitioners, learning both practice and client/patient communication skills. Eventually, the young physician takes over the practice as the old doctor progresses to retirement. Now cut to the lawyers. In […]
Supreme Court opinions are too long
The opinions issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court are too long. John J. Kircher, a professor at Marquette Law School, recently calculated that, since 1978, the average length of their opinions has quadrupled. The court’s longest opinion in 1978 took up 40 pages, and the average was 12. In 2008, the average opinion was more […]
Plaintiffs’ standing would be a good thing
Whatever the Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately decides on whether or not the domestic partnership registry is constitutional, it would be very unfortunate if that decision is delayed based on a holding that the plaintiffs in Appling v. Doyle lack standing to bring a lawsuit challenging it. The government enacted the law; and the government should […]
Legal News
- Milwaukee drops security personnel ordinance
- Wisconsin Supreme Court tacks on addition months to already suspended lawyer
- Supreme Court: Abortion protester’s First Amendment rights violated
- These doctors were censured. Wisconsin’s prisons hired them anyway
- Ruling reinstates lawsuit over ‘Black Lives Matter’ school posters
- Wisconsin Supreme Court to consider whether 175-year-old law bans abortion
- Wisconsin man facing bestiality and felony bail jumping charges
- Waukesha County woman indicted in National Health Care Fraud Law Enforcement Action
- Man sentenced to 15 months for fraud involving luxury vehicles
- Wisconsin Department of Justice Fire Marshal investigating fire that killed six
- Ozaukee County first responders save family of three, father and son on Milwaukee River
- Supreme Court sends Trump immunity case back to lower court, dimming chance of trial before election
Case Digests
- Termination of Parental Rights
- First Amendment Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
- Late Filing
- Real Estate-Attorney Fees
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
- Variance-Interpretation of Zoning Ordinances
- Sentencing
- Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause-Jury Instructions
- Unlawful Collection Practices-Evidence
- Sentencing-Vindictiveness
- Prisoner Grievances-Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies