In a recent memo, an organization of business and professional groups are calling on lawmakers to oppose any proposals to channel resources to the Judicial Council, calling the council an "arm of the plaintiff's bar."

The Judicial Council has received a wide-ranging open-records request from the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council concerning recent changes to the state's civil-litigation rules.

Legislation meant to overhaul the state's civil-litigation rules has made it through a panel of lawmakers, but its fate remains uncertain.

Deputy Attorney General Andy Cook plans to leave the state Department of Justice at the end of the week.