Milwaukee recently hosted the 2026 G20 Trade Ministerial, bringing trade officials from the world’s largest economies to Wisconsin. Although the meeting did not produce a new trade agreement, it offered a useful glimpse into the priorities increasingly driving trade policy around the world.Four themes emerged from the discussions: the growing connection between trade policy and geopolitical risk; the importance of supply-chain resilience; the increasingly strategic role of trade compliance; and a heightened focus on the practices behind global trade…
Continue Reading 4 International Trade Trends Wisconsin Businesses Should Watch Following
the G20 Trade Ministerial

Construction, remodeling, and repair work are among the most important trades in our economy. Contractors take plans and specifications and transform them into tangible results through skill and craftsmanship that improve homes, businesses, and communities. In return for that work, contractors are entitled to be paid fairly and on time. Unfortunately, delayed, disputed, or unpaid invoices are an increasingly common reality in the construction industry. For that reason, contractors should understand the legal rights and remedies available to protect…
Continue Reading Construction Liens: the Tool Every Construction Company or Contractor Needs to Have in Their Belt

Wisconsin voters will encounter three constitutional amendment referendum questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. In a series of posts, Wisconsin Justice Initiative will help you understand constitutional amendment referendum questions generally, and the Nov. 3 election questions specifically. This is part four in the series. Find parts one, two, and three here, here, and here. ​ By Margo KirchnerWisconsin legislators are asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment purportedly about religious liberty, but which many religiously…
Continue Reading November ballot question 2: Banning closure of places of worship during an emergency

One of the most common disputes arising from residential real estate transactions is a seller misrepresentation claim. These lawsuits are often based on allegations that the seller failed to disclose a known defect or provided inaccurate information about the property’s condition.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a failure-to-disclose claim is generally one type of seller misrepresentation claim. A buyer may allege that a seller failed to disclose a known defect, provided an inaccurate answer on a Real…
Continue Reading Seller Misrepresentation Claims: What Homeowners Need to Know

Employers are regularly part of the collection process when an employee is ordered to pay child support or maintenance. Based on state law, a court order for child support shall constitute an assignment of all income, including commissions, earnings, salaries, wages, pension benefits, and other money due.  Wisconsin employers may receive an Income Withholding for Support notice that directs a specified amount be deducted from an employee’s earnings and sent to the appropriate governmental disbursement unit. Although income withholding …
Continue Reading A Compliance Guide to Child Support Income Withholding

In revisions released earlier this year to its General Questions Regarding Certain Fraud and Abuse Authorities, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) emphasized that compliance with the physician self-referral law (“Stark Law”) does not automatically resolve risk under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (“AKS”). Furthermore, OIG clarified that fair market value (“FMV”) compensation, by itself, does not preclude potential AKS liability.
Hospitals, physician groups, labs and other provider entities should note this guidance to ensure AKS compliance when entering…
Continue Reading OIG Clarifies That Stark Law Compliance and Fair Market Value Alone Do Not Resolve Anti-Kickback Statute Risk

The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently revised its Justice Manual to strengthen its approach to False Claims Act (“FCA”) enforcement. The revisions address two issues particularly relevant to FCA defendants: the use of sub-regulatory guidance and DOJ’s consideration of dismissing declined qui tam actions.
DOJ Reinforces Limits on Sub-Regulatory Guidance
The revised Justice Manual builds on an older policy, reintroduced in 2025, providing that sub-regulatory guidance cannot create legal obligations or serve as the sole basis for…
Continue Reading DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act Enforcement

Indiana Wage Law Update: Seventh Circuit Finds Vacation-Buy Program Is Not an Unlawful Wage AssignmentIndiana employers received favorable guidance from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on two common workplace benefits issues: voluntary “vacation buy” programs and the treatment of unused rollover paid time off. In a June 2026 decision of first impression under Indiana law, Clayton Creason v. Elanco US Inc., the court held that an employee’s election to accept reduced compensation in exchange…
Continue Reading Indiana Wage Law Update: Seventh Circuit Finds Vacation-Buy Program Is Not
an Unlawful Wage Assignment

What is a trademark specimen?A specimen is an example of use of the trademark in commerce in connection with the goods or services identified in the trademark application. More simply, it shows what consumers encounter when they consider purchasing those goods or services. An acceptable specimen differs by whether you are offering goods or services under your trademark.For goods/products, a specimen shows your trademark the way it is being used with the goods you are providing in…
Continue Reading Trademark Specimens: Acceptable vs. Unacceptable

On September 18, 2026, President Trump issued two related measures affecting the H-1B program—a Proclamation extending the $100,000 H-1B fee to certain H-1B workers and an Executive Order directing federal agencies to strengthen H-1B oversight, including by considering employers’ recent or planned layoffs of similarly situated U.S. workers.
The $100,000 fee, which applies to certain H-1B beneficiaries outside of the United States without a valid H-1B visa, was set to expire on September 21, 2026. The new Proclamation extends…
Continue Reading Increased H-1B Scrutiny: $100,000 Fee Extended and New Employer Layoff Considerations Announced

Hall Render is pleased to announce that Connor Reed has joined the Firm in its Milwaukee office.
Connor is a health care regulatory and transactions attorney who advises hospitals, health systems and physician organizations on the compliance and contracting issues that come up in their day-to-day operations. Prior to joining Hall Render, Connor worked as a consultant in Washington, D.C.
Connor is admitted to practice in Wisconsin and is a member of the American Health Law Association and the…
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Hall Render is pleased to announce that Taylor Moorer has joined the Firm in its Washington, D.C. office.
Taylor is a health care regulatory attorney who advises providers on compliance matters, with a particular focus on fraud and abuse laws. She helps clients interpret and apply complex federal and state health care regulations while navigating evolving compliance requirements. Drawing on her experience as a Health Law Fellow at MedStar Health, Taylor also brings practical insight into regulatory, transactional and operational…
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  • According to Revista, MOB cap rates remained stable at 6.7% through the first half of 2026, while average prices increased to $387 per square foot in 2Q26.
  • Phil and Penny Knight have pledged $1.1B over 10 years to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the Providence Heart Institute. The historic donation will fund the construction of Oregon’s first dedicated women’s hospital on the St. Vincent campus and support the expansion of advanced cardiovascular care and research.
  • A recent analysis

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    Continue Reading Weekly Hospital Real Estate Briefing: MOB Cap Rates Remain Stable | $1.1B Philanthropic Donation to Providence St. Vincent | KU Acquiring St. Francis in Topeka

    Understanding public records, court access, and privacy in Wisconsin family law cases.

    If you’re going through a divorce or custody matter, you might be wondering, “Can my ex or employer look up information about my case?” The short answer is: usually, yes. In Wisconsin, most family court cases are public record, but that does not mean every detail is public. There are specific protections you can obtain, but first you must know what they are and how you can…
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    The Eleventh Circuit recently rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the False Claims Act’s (“FCA”) qui tam provisions, holding that whistleblowers who bring FCA actions are not “Officers of the United States” subject to the Constitution’s Appointments Clause. United States ex rel. Zafirov v. Florida Medical Associates, No. 24-13581, 2026 WL 2581886 (11th Cir. Sept. 1, 2026).
    Background
    The relator brought an FCA action alleging Medicare fraud. The defendants moved to dismiss, arguing that the FCA’s qui…
    Continue Reading Eleventh Circuit Rejects Constitutional Challenge to the False Claims Act’s Qui Tam Provision

    The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently issued a memorandum announcing the priorities of its newly established National Fraud Enforcement Division (the “Division”), identifying health care fraud as a key enforcement focus. The Division was created to combat fraud and will concentrate its efforts on public trust and financial integrity, health care, internal revenue, global trade and commerce and corporate misconduct.
    According to the DOJ, an estimated 3% to 10% of annual health care spending is lost to fraud.
    Continue Reading DOJ Announces Increased Focus on Health Care Fraud Enforcement