Difficult clients – The importance of documentation
As I look back at my columns so far, it’s occurred to me that I might be starting to sound like your mother. So rather than nagging you about having a good attitude and not drinking too much, I’ve decided to simply offer some light pointers for you newly graduated lawyers – a little break […]
Estate plan violated divorce agreement
In the final days of the 2008-09 term, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided Tensfeldt v. Haberman, 2007AP001638 (July 14, 2009). Although the factual situation is somewhat complicated, bear with me — it has some important family law and ethical implications. This article will summarize its holding, with an emphasis on the family law aspects; next […]
Google Voice — why you should get in queue
My husband is a lucky man, and it’s not just because he married me. He’s got a Google Voice number. An engineer and lover of all things technology-related, he was ahead of the curve once again, and quietly got in the virtual queue for Google Voice about six weeks ago. His patience was rewarded in […]
Can I talk about the time when he…?
Your client recently terminated Marvin’s employment because it believed he falsified company records. Marvin has since sued, alleging that he was retaliated against because of a previous lawsuit filed against the company. At the hearing, Marvin argues that he did not falsify company records and that the company’s reasons for terminating him are pretext for […]
Lawyers respond to Genrich decision
On July 7, the state Supreme Court looked at when the clock starts running on a wrongful death claim that results from medical malpractice. The majority court decision in Estate of Genrich v. OHIC Insurance Co., No. 2007AP541, written by Justice Patience Drake Roggensack, indicated that a medical malpractice accrues when the patient experiences a […]
FINRA warns about leveraged, inverse ETFs
FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) has warned financial services firms that non-traditional exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are unsuitable for retail investors who plan to hold them for more than one day (a trading session), particularly in volatile markets. Let’s examine why FINRA has taken an interest in leveraged and inverse ETFs. Preliminarily, certain ETFs trade […]
Clarifying e-filing of appellate briefs
Readers of the Wisconsin Law Journal’s July 10, 2009 article on appellate e-filing may come away with misimpressions of a number of key aspects of Wisconsin’s appellate e-filing system. Here’s some correction and clarification: Attorneys do not need to purchase any additional software. All that is needed is a computer and an Internet connection. Most […]
Consider YouSENDit for sending large files
Ever have someone say, “I’ll e-mail you my pictures”? Then they end up sending you a series of e-mails, because the file size of the attachment(s) is so large that it exceeds what their e-mail provider will allow? Or it can be sent, but it’s a painfully slow download, especially if you don’t have a […]
Bribery and corruption: Difficult frauds to find
When fraud happens within an organization’s accounting system, there is often a paper trail left behind. It’s unavoidable, as there is a record of something related to the fraud, whether it is a legitimate invoice that was later adjusted, an account balance that was changed, or a fake employee who was added to the payroll […]
An outrageous proposal to limit CCAP
Suppose you are considering dating a woman. But first you run her name through the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP), and based on what you find there, decide that wouldn’t be such a good idea. Suppose you own a duplex, and you reject an application for tenancy after CCAP reveals the applicant has been evicted […]
Judicial discretion is ripe for review
Does the Wisconsin Court of Appeals read this column? Maybe; maybe not. But shortly after I wrote about the District I Court’s decision in Heppner v. Heppner, No. 2008AP2020 (Wis. Ct. App. May 5, 2009) (recommended for publication), the court made corrections to paragraph 15 of its opinion. In the original opinion, the appellate court […]
Silver lining in clouds
Recently a reporter interviewed me concerning the environment that new law school graduates will face. It was the closest I’ll come to giving a commencement address, and quite frankly I believe the near-term outlook is not bright. There are major structural changes within the profession that the recession has intensified. As an entire generation of […]
Legal News
- COMMENTARY: State Bar Board displays ‘irresponsibility, buffoonery and ineptitude’
- Schuster wins top honors from Wisconsin Newspaper Association
- Trump GA case advances as former President faces other legal challenges
- Wisconsin voters to decide on banning private money to help fund elections
- A judge tosses claims against a former Wisconsin police officer who killed 3 people in five years
- Wisconsin Republican Senate candidate Hovde promises to donate salary to charity
- Steven Avery’s attorney Zellner files ‘bombshell’ Manitowoc motion
- Evers taps Marcus Hawkins to Public Service Commission
- School shootings prompt more states to fund digital maps for first responders
- Wisconsin Democrats oppose bi-partisan bill against China spyware Tiktok
- Milwaukee Bucks partner with WisDOT to expand reckless driving prevention campaign
- Evers taps State Bar President-Elect Bucher for Circuit Court Judge
WLJ People
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Russell Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Benjamin Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dustin T. Woehl
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Katherine Metzger
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Joseph Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – James M. Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dana Wachs
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Mark L. Thomsen
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Matthew Lein
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Jeffrey A. Pitman
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – William Pemberton
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Howard S. Sicula