A recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruling in January of 2025, highlights the issues that arise when your rights to payment depends on what happens under another party’s contract with a third party. The case involved a co-broker seeking a commission after a tenant exercised an option to purchase a property, based on a listing agreement promising payment if the option was exercised “within three years of the lease term.” Disagreement over this phrase—whether it meant three years from
Continue Reading Avoid Confusion when Relying on Another Party’s Contract
GAL Friend or Foe
The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is the court-appointed attorney to represent the best interests of a ward, child, or an incompetent adult. Importantly, their intended role is to apply the “best interest” standards. During their investigation, they may conduct interviews directly with the child, their relatives, teachers, counselors, and other individuals. Through their unique position, they will have access to review medical, school, and court records and documents to arrive to their recommendation. Ahead of an initial hearing, if
Continue Reading GAL Friend or Foe
What You Need to Know About the Probate Process in Illinois
If you’ve lost a loved one or are planning for the future, understanding the probate process in Illinois is essential. Whether you live in Lake County or anywhere in the state, probate can be a complicated legal process that adds stress during an already difficult time. In this post, we’ll walk through the basics of probate in Illinois, what it involves, and how proper estate planning can help you minimize—or even avoid—it.
What Is the Probate Process in Illinois?
Continue Reading What You Need to Know About the Probate Process in Illinois
Weekly Hospital Real Estate Briefing: MS Gov. Vetoes CON Reform Bill | Indiana Bans Physician/Hospital Noncompetes | Hospital Expansions Still Going (For Now)
The Stark Law Payments by a Physician Exception: An Unsung Hero
Historically, health care entities looking to avoid potential violations under the Federal Stark Law (“Stark”) have not turned to the Payments by a Physician exception at 42 C.F.R. § 411.357(i) to protect their operations. A review of the exception’s history, however, combined with recent experience with pending submissions to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) under the Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol (“SRDP”), has led to a helpful framework for applying the Payments by a Physician exception, such as
Continue Reading The Stark Law Payments by a Physician Exception: An Unsung Hero
Constitution Allows Partial Veto Fixing Biennial Budget Increase for 402 Years
May 2, 2025 – The partial veto power extends to allow Gov. Tony Evers to change a biennial budget provision to last 402 years, a 4-3 majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently held in LeMieux v. Evers, 2025 WI 12.
The dissent found this partial veto problem greater than the acts of the current governor – 49 years of supreme court decisions strayed from the constitution, necessitating correction.
Revenue Increase Through 2425
In the 2023-25 biennial budget,
Continue Reading Constitution Allows Partial Veto Fixing Biennial Budget Increase for 402 Years
State Bar of Wisconsin Welcomes 22 New Wisconsin Lawyers
May 2, 2025 – Some of Wisconsin’s newest lawyers include those fulfilling long-held dreams.
Twenty-two new Wisconsin lawyers were admitted in a ceremony before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 23, 2025, taking the Attorney’s Oath and signing the Wisconsin Supreme Court Roll book as the final steps to be admitted.
Jacquelynn B. Rothstein, director of the Board of Bar Examiners, said 41% of the 66 individuals who took the bar exam in February passed it, and 55% of
Continue Reading State Bar of Wisconsin Welcomes 22 New Wisconsin Lawyers
2026 HSA Limits Are Announced
On May 1, 2025, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2026. With respect to contribution limits, the limits are slightly higher than the ones for 2025 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums have increased as well. As a reminder, these inflation adjusted amounts are effective for calendar year 2026.
HSA/HDHP Requirement
Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Limit on HSA Contributions – Self-only HDHP
2025 – $4,300
2026 – $4,400
Limit on HSA Contributions – Family HDHP
COA finds preserving electric vehicle’s battery no defense for driving too slowly on the expressway
State v. Colin R. Dowling, 2024AP524, 5/1/25, District IV (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
The COA found sufficient evidence to sustain Colin Dowling’s civil forfeiture obligation for impeding traffic by driving at a slow speed. Although Dowling argued that there were no reasonable alternatives to slowing down his Tesla to preserve its battery, the COA concluded contacting roadside assistance was a safer alternative than driving 45 miles per hour on an interstate highway where the speed
Continue Reading COA finds preserving electric vehicle’s battery no defense for driving too slowly on the expressway
COA affirms recommitment and involuntary medication orders over sufficiency and hearsay challenges in detailed discussion
Fond du Lac County v. D.P.E., 2025AP66-FT, 4/30/25, District II (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
COA affirms the circuit court’s orders recommitting D.P.E. (referred to as “Donald”) and authorizing the involuntarily administration of medication. Donald argued on appeal that the county did not present sufficient evidence to establish dangerousness and failed to meet its burden to prove he was not competent to refuse medication.
Donald was committed as an inmate at the Wisconsin Resource Center (“WRC”).
Continue Reading COA affirms recommitment and involuntary medication orders over sufficiency and hearsay challenges in detailed discussion
Key Takeaways – Beyond Sweat Equity: Modern Compensation Strategies forEnhanced Engagement & Retention
Today’s employment environment requires companies large and small to be deliberate when designing their compensation strategy. Our panelists presented a high-level overview of the options available to executive teams when designing compensation packages that align with key business goals and objectives.
Top takeaways from this presentation include:
- A critical first step is to determine your company’s compensation philosophy. Clarity around your company’s goals—e.g., do you prefer to attract top talent or develop talent?—and values play a critical role in
Delays, Denials & More: Potential Issues When You File for Workers’ Compensation in Wisconsin
When you have a workers’ compensation claim in Wisconsin, your employer (or its insurance company) is supposed to pay the benefits you are owed. You are supposed to be treated fairly, and you are not supposed to have to fight for the benefits you deserve.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen.
Injured and sick employees routinely run into issues when filing for workers’ compensation benefits in Wisconsin. Issues can arise at all stages of the process—from when you try to
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen.
Injured and sick employees routinely run into issues when filing for workers’ compensation benefits in Wisconsin. Issues can arise at all stages of the process—from when you try to
Non-criminal Offenses Are Prohibited Basis of Employment Discrimination Under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act
In its recent decision in Cota v. Oconomowoc Area School District, the Wisconsin Supreme Court interpreted the term “arrest record,” which is a prohibited basis of employment discrimination under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (WFEA), to include municipal offenses. The WFEA defines “arrest record” as “information indicating that an individual has been questioned, arrested, charged with, indicted or tried for any felony, misdemeanor or other offense pursuant to any law enforcement or military authority.” At issue in the Cota case
Continue Reading Non-criminal Offenses Are Prohibited Basis of Employment Discrimination Under the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act
Checks and Balances: Embracing Our Patriotic Skepticism
May 1, 2025 – On Law Day (established by President Eisenhower to celebrate the rule of law and observed annually on May 1) I think about the colonial rebels who risked their lives to create a better society. I admire their brave fight for independence. I equally admire the government they created when the war was won.
Ryan M. Billings, Harvard 2004, is a litigator at Kohner, Mann & Kailas S.C., Milwaukee, and chairs the firm’s business
Continue Reading Checks and Balances: Embracing Our Patriotic Skepticism