”Evers’ judges” is our effort to present information about Gov. Tony Evers’ appointees to the bench. The information is taken from the appointees’ own judgeship applications. Italics indicate direct quotes from the application. Typos, including punctuation errors, come from the original application even though we have not inserted “(sic)” after each one. WJI has left them as is. Asterisks indicate paragraphs deleted due to length of the answer. Name: Tanner Brook Kilander Appointed to: Milwaukee County Circuit Court Appointment date:
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Trump Administration Imposes New Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs onImports From 60 Countries
U.S. importers should prepare for substantial new tariff exposure following the Trump administration’s imposition of Section 301 forced labor tariffs on imports from 60 countries. The measures affect approximately 99.4 percent of U.S. imports and may result in additional duties, subject to certain exemptions and special tariff treatment.
The tariffs were announced on July 23, 2026, in a presidential memorandum in which the Trump administration stated it would impose tariffs through the Section 301 investigation examining whether foreign
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New Colorado Law Restricts Employers From Retaining Employee ID DocumentsUnder HB 26-1283
House Bill 26-1283 (“Protections Regarding Seizures of Identification Documents”), signed by Governor Jared Polis on June 3, 2026, sharply limits when a Colorado employer may demand, keep, or control an employee’s or applicant’s government-issued ID. The new law carries both criminal and civil exposure.
Colorado HB 26-1283 Restricts Employers From Retaining Employee Identification Documents
The new statute (C.R.S. § 8-2-124.5) bars employers and their agents from requiring any employee, applicant, or worker to surrender a government-issued identification document.
Weekly Hospital Real Estate Briefing: Spotlight on Regional Rural Hospital Networks Cooperating to Remain Independent | MOB Inventory Tightening
Skilled Nursing Facility Update: CMS Finalizes FY 2027 SNF PPS Rule: Payment Increase, QRP Reforms and Expanded MDS Reporting Requirements
On July 30, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued its final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities (“SNFs”) under the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (“SNF PPS”) for federal fiscal year (“FY”) 2027. The final rule also includes significant revisions to the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (“SNF QRP”) and the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (“SNF VBP”) Program. The rule becomes effective October 1, 2026.
HHS Begins Decertification of Network for Hope, Kentucky’s Organ Procurement Organization
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has begun the decertification process for Network for Hope, the organ procurement organization (“OPO”) with a service area that includes Kentucky and portions of Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. According to HHS, the action follows multiple federal reviews that identified ongoing patient safety concerns and determined that the OPO had not demonstrated sufficient improvement despite corrective
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Choosing a Power of Attorney for Health Care in Wisconsin
Choosing a power of attorney for health care is one of the most personal decisions in an estate plan. This is the person who may speak for you if illness, injury, or incapacity prevents you from making your own medical decisions.
In Wisconsin, a power of attorney for health care allows you to name a health care agent. That agent can make health care decisions for you if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. Wisconsin’s Department of
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Wills vs. Trusts in Wisconsin: What is the Difference?
Estate planning is not only about what happens after death. It is about giving your family direction when they may be grieving, stressed, or unsure what to do next.
A will and a trust are two common estate planning tools. They can both help you decide who receives your property, who should be involved in carrying out your wishes, and how your loved ones should be protected. They do different things, however, and many Wisconsin families use both.
At
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Legal Rights of Transgender Individuals and Families in Wisconsin
At The Law Center, S.C., we understand that these matters are not abstract legal questions. They are about whether your documents reflect who you are. They are about whether your relationship with your child is protected. They are about whether your family is treated with dignity under Wisconsin law.
Our firm has long believed that families come in many forms. Some families have one parent, two parents, or more than two people who play meaningful roles in a
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IEEPA Tariff Refunds Authorized: What Importers Need to Know
Importers seeking refunds of IEEPA tariffs on finally liquidated entries may need to file suit to secure recovery.
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) issued an order directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to begin processing refunds for importers that filed civil lawsuits seeking IEEPA tariff refunds. However, the order does not extend to importers that did not file suit, leaving their eligibility for refunds dependent on either future litigation or the outcome
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Can You Get a Divorce Without a Lawyer in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can get a divorce without a lawyer in Wisconsin. When someone represents themselves in a divorce, it is known as a pro se divorce, also called a “kitchen table divorce”. Wisconsin provides forms and self-help resources for people who choose this route, but having access to paperwork is not the same as having legal guidance.
Divorce decisions about property division, including assets like bank/investment/retirement accounts, your home and debts, maintenance (allocation of income for spousal support), and
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Divorce or Legal Separation: Which Option Is Right for You?
Understand the key differences between divorce and legal separation in Wisconsin, including filing requirements, legal rights, and what each option means for your future.
There are many reasons an individual may be interested in a legal separation over a divorce, or vice versa. Factors such as religious or personal beliefs, the possibility of reconciliation, or the desire to maintain certain financial or insurance benefits may lead someone to choose a legal separation rather than a divorce. On the other
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New Illinois Law Expands Attorney General Powers to Investigate Employers
On July 31, 2026, Governor Pritzker signed new legislation greatly expanding the already-broad investigatory powers of the Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General’s Office (“OAG”). Effective January 1, 2027, the law authorizes the OAG to investigate supposed violations of Illinois employment law and creates penalties for employers that do not comply. In essence this signals yet another move by Illinois to dispense with the fundamental due process rights of employers.
How the Illinois Attorney General’s Workplace Rights Bureau
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Three Motions. Three Wins. OWI Charges Dismissed in Just 12 Minutes.
By Attorneys Stephen E. Mays and Halle Geiger
Every person accused of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) has constitutional and statutory rights. When law enforcement fails to follow those rules, the consequences can be significant.
In a recent OWI First Offense case, Mays Law Office filed three separate motions asking the court to suppress critical evidence:
- The unlawful arrest.
- An improperly obtained Preliminary Breath Test (PBT).
- The blood test — because our client’s legally guaranteed alternative chemical test was
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Trade Dress Matters: Protecting Your Brand’s Look, Feel, and Competitive Advantage
When building a successful brand, businesses may more often focus on protecting their name, logo, and other trademarks, but a brand’s value can extend far beyond these traditional identifiers. The colors, packaging, product design, and overall visual presentation that customers associate with your business can become valuable assets of their own. This is where trade dress protection comes into play.
For many businesses, the way a product looks is just as important as the product itself. A distinctive design
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Milwaukee Common Council Dismisses Fire and Police Commission Candidate
The Milwaukee Common Council meeting on July 31, 2026. Photograph by Alexandria Staubach.
By Alexandria Staubach
Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission candidate Jordan Morales failed to obtain enough votes for confirmation at a Milwaukee Common Council meeting this morning after some alders shared concerns about his seeming complacency with the status quo.
The confirmation failed in a 6-6 tie with three alders abstaining.
The surprising vote comes after Morales was recommended by the Common Council’s Public Safety Committee last
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