State Bar of Wisconsin | Court News

Marquette Class of 2012 Welcomed to Profession

Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 22, 2012 – More than 160 Marquette Law School graduates were admitted to the profession yesterday. The new lawyers were welcomed by all seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, Marquette Law School Dean Joseph Kearney, former State Bar President Michelle Behnke, and Board of Bar Examiners Director Jacquelynn B. Rothstein.

Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease Cannot Be Involuntarily Committed Under Chapter 51

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 21, 2012 – Last week the Wisconsin Supreme Court clarified that individuals with Alzheimer's disease or incurable disorders cannot be involuntarily committed under a statutory scheme designed for short-term commitment and treatment of mentally ill individuals.

State Bar to Reconsider Bylaws for Dues Reduction Arbitration

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 18, 2012 – The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted 5-2 this week to send recently amended bylaws back to the State Bar of Wisconsin so it can rewrite a portion of its dues reduction arbitration procedure.

Federal Court: Salaries Were Actually Dividends to Shareholders, Not Deductible

Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 17, 2012 – Federal appeals court Judge Richard Posner recently scolded a Chicago accounting firm for what he called a "cockeyed method of distributing profits to its owners." Now, the firm must pay a large corporate tax and corresponding penalty.

Employer Did Not Have a Statutory Right to Cross Examine Independent Doctor

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 15, 2012 – An employer who questioned the extent of an employee’s injury-related disability did not have an automatic statutory or due process right to cross-examine the independent physician appointed to examine the employee, the state supreme court recently ruled.

Wisconsin Corporate Law Does Not Control Federal Jurisdiction in Stock Appraisal Suit

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 11, 2012 – An investor who challenged the value of stock acquired through a freezeout merger recently lost his federal appeals fight to move appraisal proceedings to state court based on Wisconsin corporate law and subject matter jurisdiction.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Clarifies Rights of Billboard Owner in Takings Case

Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 8, 2012 – In a unanimous decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently clarified that a billboard owner who leases land to post a billboard is entitled to just compensation, in addition to relocation expenses, when the government takes the land for public use.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Clarifies Rights of Billboard Owner in Takings Case

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

Defendant Can't Withdraw Guilty Plea After Appeals Waiver, Federal Court Clarifies

Mon, 07 May 2012 08:00:00 CDT

May 7, 2012 – A Wisconsin man who faced conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin charges pled guilty to a lesser charge. Recently, a federal court ruled he can't withdraw the guilty plea and go to trial on the original charges.