Attorney Jessica Mederson presents on construction law and resiliency measures amid a changing climate
On Thursday, May 1, Attorney Jessica C. Mederson will give a “Strategies for Incorporating Energy Resiliency and Climate Change into Construction Projects and Contracts” presentation at Centro Hispano of Dane County. Part of the daylong Construction Law Update: Current Trends in Sustainability and Finance hosted by the State Bar of Wisconsin, Jessica will present to a Madison-area audience of construction, sustainability, community, and legal
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Revocable Living Trust in Libertyville IL
If you’re a busy professional, business owner, or high-net-worth individual in Libertyville, Illinois, protecting your hard-earned assets is crucial. Setting up a revocable living trust in Libertyville IL is one of the smartest ways to safeguard your estate while keeping control over your future.
Whether you’re in Lake Forest, Vernon Hills, or right here in Libertyville, a living trust can help you avoid probate, protect your privacy, and make life easier for your family.
What Is a Revocable …
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Waiting for All Issues to Resolve? You May Miss the Appeal Window
In Wisconsin, litigants may only appeal a
final circuit court judgment or order to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals per
Wis. Stat. section 808.03(1) as a matter of right – appeals from nonfinal orders are permissive. Litigants must strictly follow deadlines for appellate jurisdiction: they have a maximum of 90 days to file an appeal, per
Wis. Stat. section 808.04(1). In a divorce, legal separation, or other family law matter initiated by summons and petition, determining when an order…
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Amid New Tariffs, Review Client Contracts
Business attorneys should proactively reassess their clients’ contracts in response to recent tariffs and the possibility of future tariff increases. These changes can significantly impact clients’ supply chains, pricing structures, and contractual obligations across various industries, and clients must be prepared for the effects this can have on their agreements.
By reviewing and revising contracts now, attorneys can help clients mitigate risks, maintain compliance, and ensure financial stability.
Samantha H. Baker, Marquette Class of 2018, is a shareholder…
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Defense wins sufficiency of evidence claim in COA after trial for possessing intoxicating liquor without a license
State v. Kimberly D. Rowe, 2022AP2122-CR, 4/22/25, District III (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
The COA considered when a collection of liquor bottles behind the counter of what appeared to be a bar becomes “intoxicating liquor” for which a license is required to possess for intended sales. Because the State did not prove the identity of the liquid in the bottles or submit the liquid for chemical testing, the COA reversed Kimberly Rowe’s conviction for possessing…
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COA reverses, holding deputy lacked probable cause to search truck under the automobile exception to the warrant requirement
State v. Jonah Michael Hoffman, 2024AP1221-CR, 4/24/25, District IV (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
The sole issue on appeal is whether the deputy who arrested Hoffman had probable cause to search his truck for evidence of an open container. COA concludes that probable cause was lacking, and accordingly reverses and remands with directions that any evidence derived from the search be suppressed.
The deputy saw ran the plates on Hoffman’s truck after seeing it on the…
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Suspicious District Faulted for WFEA Firing Violation
April 24, 2025 – After an employer had police investigate possible theft by employees, the employees’ subsequent discharge violated the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act’s (WFEA) prohibitions against termination discrimination because of an arrest record, a 5-2 supreme court majority decided April 10 in
Oconomowoc Area School District v. Cota, 2025 WI 11. Three justices didn’t like that result. Justice Janet C. Protasiewicz’s concurrence said this “strange result” required legislative revision of the WFEA. Chief Justice Annette Kingsland…
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SCOTUS grants cert to determine whether restitution is penal for purposes of the Ex Post Facto Clause
Holsey Ellingburg, Jr. v. United States, USSC No. 24-557, certiorari granted 4/7/25
SCOTUS added to its 2025-26 docket on April 7, when it granted the petitioner’s cert. petition to address the following:
Question presented:
Whether criminal restitution under the Mandatory Victim Restitution Act (MVRA) is penal for purposes of the Ex Post Facto Clause.
Decision below: United States v. Holsey Ellingburg, Jr., No. 23-3129 (8th Cir. Aug. 23, 2024).
USSC Docket
Scotusblog page (including links to briefs…
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COA affirms juvenile waiver decision despite judge’s mistaken belief about SJO program
State v. J.A.V., 2024AP2081, 4/23/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
COA rejects two claims relating to the circuit court’s discretionary decision, including an argument that the circuit court relied on inaccurate information regarding the SJO program.
On appeal, “Joshua” raises two challenges to the circuit court’s discretionary decision to waive him into adult court: (1) it failed to consider his lack of a prior record and (2) missated the length of supervision available under…
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COA affirms TPR, holding parent failed to establish prejudice due to admission of “arguably inadmissible hearsay”
State v. T.N., 2024AP1280, 4/22/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
T.N. appeals, arguing that she received ineffective assistance of counsel when her attorney did not object to statements she contends are inadmissible hearsay. COA assumes without deciding that the statements were hearsay and affirms the circuit court’s orders, concluding there was no prejudice to T.N.
T.N.’s son was removed from her care pursuant to a CHIPS petition in 2021. (¶2). In 2023,…
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COA affirms default finding in TPR due to single missed court date
State v. A.L., 2025AP177, 4/22/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
Despite the respondent’s claim that she was never given notice of the time for a jury status hearing, COA affirms the circuit court’s default finding.
“Allie” received the usual warning given to parents in TPR matters–to appear at all future court dates, lest she be defaulted. (¶4). At a final pretrial hearing, the circuit court reminded the parties that the trial would…
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Pistons Star Malik Beasley Sued by Former Agent
Hazan Sports Management Group (HSM), led by NBPA-certified agent Daniel Hazan, has filed a breach of contract suit against its former client Malik Beasley in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Beasley, the Detroit Pistons star and finalist for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, signed an NBPA Standard Player Agent Contract (“SPAC”) with HSM in 2023 to serve as his on-court player agent. The parties also signed an exclusive marketing representation…
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If You’re Using AI in Your Business, Start Here
A lot of the businesses we work with are experimenting with AI tools – drafting content, summarizing data, even building internal workflows. And understandably so: these tools are accessible, affordable, and increasingly powerful.
But we’re also seeing a familiar pattern emerge. AI is easy to use, and just as easy to misuse.
If you’re a business owner or decision-maker navigating this terrain, here are a few questions worth considering. These aren’t meant to scare you off. Rather, they’re…
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What to Do if You Are Facing Federal Charges for Health Care Fraud
Posted on April 20, 2025 in White Collar Crimes
Facing federal charges for healthcare fraud is a serious situation that can result in long-term consequences, including prison time, fines, loss of licensure, and exclusion from federal healthcare programs. Federal prosecutors take these allegations seriously and dedicate extensive resources to investigating and pursuing cases. If you have learned you are under investigation or have already been charged, you need to act quickly and strategically with the help of a Wisconsin…
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The Hidden Dangers of Working Part-Time While on Long-Term Disability
If you’re getting Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefits, you might wonder: can I work part-time when I’m on Long-Term Disability?
The answer is usually yes! Long-Term Disability policies are all different and so it’s important to consult the terms of your specific policy (also called the “plan documents.”) If you don’t have a copy of the policy terms, you should be able to obtain them from either the Long-Term Disability insurance company or your employer. The plan documents are usually…
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Seventh Circuit Cases for March
March was another slow month, but brought a couple of cases potentially relevant to our practice with respect to a delayed search of a cell phone, the use of suggestive lineups, the constitutionality of laws governing short-barreled rifles, and an argument that the Sixth Amendment applies to criminal restitution orders:
United States of America v. Jaron Jay Jackson, No. 23-3205: This is an interesting Fourth Amendment case involving the search of a cell phone. Jackson was arrested and…
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