For the first time in recent memory, advocates for expanding civil legal services for indigent clients in Wisconsin want the Legislature to study the effects it would have on the state.

Tagged with: Jim Gramling John Ebbott Shirley Abrahamson

A state Supreme Court rules petition that aims to establish a pilot project to study the appointment of counsel in civil cases will most likely not be heard until at least later this year.

Tagged with: Access to Justice Commission April Southwick John Ebbott

A longtime managing attorney of Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. will take over as executive director next week.

Tagged with: John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin

The state’s civil courts are the realm of the rich, those who can afford as many lawyers as they need.

Tagged with: editorial John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Mike Gonring Quarles & Brady Tom Cannon

Domestic violence groups are showing an interest in a potential state Supreme Court rule that would give judges leeway on how to deal with those representing themselves in court. The rule, if the court adopts it, would permit judges to ...

Tagged with: ABA Access to Justice Commission domestic violence John Ebbott Margaret Vergeront Wisconsin Supreme Court

John Ebbott is stepping down from his role leading Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc., but his passion for equal representation remains strong.

Tagged with: John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee Mike Gonring Quarles & Brady Tom Cannon

The executive director of Legal Action of Wisconsin Inc. is retiring next year, marking the second high-profile loss to the Milwaukee legal services community this week.

Tagged with: John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin

A petition filed Monday with the state Supreme Court seeks to renew a push for civil appointments that previously died due to lack of financial support.

Tagged with: John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin State Bar Wisconsin Supreme Court

Reluctant to require counties to pay the cost of civil appointments for poor people, the Wisconsin Supreme Court may turn to the State Bar for money to develop one or more pilot projects and test an ambitious proposal that could ultimately cost about $56 million per year.

Tagged with: Ann Walsh Bradley Gregg Moore John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Michael Gableman Patience Roggensack Shirley Abrahamson State Bar Supreme Court

After losing state money earlier this year, legal service providers in Wisconsin are bracing for a dip in federal aid, as well.

Tagged with: budget John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Scott Walker

As cost concerns loom over a proposal to expand civil appointments in state, members of the judiciary this week also began to question how such appointments would be divvied up without a plan for how to assign cases.

Tagged with: Jeff Kremers John Ebbott Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee N. Patrick Crooks Patience Roggensack Supreme Court Tom Cannon

While the state Supreme Court considers a proposal to broaden the appointment of counsel in civil cases, Wisconsin and its counties are playing hot potato with who will pay for the plan if it gains approval.

Tagged with: Annette Ziegler John Ebbott Laura Gramling Perez Legal Action of Wisconsin Mary Triggiano Scott Walker Supreme Court

Several judges and court commissioners made their case Tuesday before the state Supreme Court for a petition to provide appointed counsel in civil cases for pro se clients.

Tagged with: Annette Ziegler John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Mary Triggiano Shirley Abrahamson Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is weighing the value of requiring attorney appointments in most civil cases in circuit court. Those appointments could cost as much as $56 million annually. The court voted unanimously Wednesday to schedule a public hearing in ...

Tagged with: John Ebbott Legal Action of Wisconsin Michael Gableman Supreme Court

At first glance, the bald head and boots may suggest attorney John Ebbott should be tearing up the asphalt in a Harley Davidson commercial rather than overseeing the administration of free legal services to the poor.

Tagged with: John Ebbott Wisconsin Supreme Court