Government

As the capabilities of generative artificial intelligence have increased, so have concerns that generative AI might be used to manipulate voters and the administration of elections in the 2024 presidential election and primaries. The first warning shot came in New Hampshire on January 21, 2024, two days before the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election, when numerous New Hampshire residents received robocalls that played a message with what appeared to be an AI-generated voice clone of President Joe Biden’s voice,
Continue Reading Wisconsin’s New Regulation of AI and Deepfakes in Political Communications

While some people have been eagerly anticipating college basketball’s March Madness, others have been anticipating the SEC’s long-awaited climate disclosure rule, which was finally announced today. As discussed previously (in a climate-related disclosures blog post from a year and a half ago), this rule is highly contentious and will probably face legal challenges.

The SEC appears to be acknowledging the risk of litigation in rolling back what must be reported under this new rule. The European Union requires
Continue Reading Let March Madness Begin! The SEC Finally Announces its Climate Disclosure Rule

In the landscape of American society, the impact of incarceration on families reverberates deeply, yet often remains overlooked.

Startling statistics reveal that, currently, an estimated 6.5 million adults have an immediate family member incarcerated, underscoring the prevalence of this issue.1 To further put it in perspective, one in seven people have had an immediate family member spend one year or longer in prison, while one in 34 people have experienced the anguish of having a loved one incarcerated
Continue Reading How Attorneys Can Support Families Affected by Incarceration

As public interest attorneys, we often represent low-income clients at a low point in their lives, such as during an illness, injury, job loss, incarceration, eviction, divorce, etc. When clients are struggling, it can be helpful to provide resources for as many benefits as they may be eligible for to get them back on their feet. One of these benefits is assistance with their energy bills. Did You Know? According to the
2020 Energy Burden Report by the American
Continue Reading How Energy Assistance Benefits in Wisconsin Can Help Your Clients

Attorney Vanessa Wishart Discusses Water Law Regulatory Updates as Part of PFAS Panel
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, Attorney Vanessa Wishart will give a regulatory update on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the 2024 Government Affairs Seminar in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Vanessa’s update is part of the PFAS portion of the daylong seminar, during which she will participate on a panel with other professionals.
The seminar provides municipal officials, treatment plant operators, consultants, and government employees with an
Continue Reading Attorney Vanessa Wishart Presents on PFAS Regulation at 2024 Government Affairs Seminar

When it reviews a wetland individual permit application, the DNR must consider the impacts of the entire project proposing wetland fill, and not only the physical footprint of the proposed fill itself. DNR’s purview of secondary impacts extends to otherwise unregulated activities of the permitted project where they result in significant adverse environmental consequences.

In its December 5 decision, Kohler Co. v. Wisconsin DNR and Claudia Bricks and Friends of the Black River Forest (2021AP1187), the Wisconsin Court of
Continue Reading Wisconsin Appeals Court Upholds Rejection of Wetland Fill Permit in Kohler Golf Course Project

Attorney Jessica Mederson Presents “Enhancing Resilience in Building Design: A Critical Response to Climate Change Challenges”
Understanding the threats posed by climate change and incorporating resilience into building design and the construction process are pivotal strategic priorities for the built environment and related industries. Jessica’s presentation will discuss the legal exposure the precast industry can face as a result of climate change, the resources and legal tools available to the industry to face these challenges, and how incorporating resiliency
Continue Reading Attorney Jessica Mederson Presents at The Precast Show on Resilience in Building Design

Stafford Rosenbaum Files Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court of Behalf of Former Governors ahead of 2024 Presidential Election
Stafford Rosenbaum Attorneys Jeff Mandell, Doug Poland, Rachel Snyder, and Carly Gerads filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court today on behalf of three former Republican Governors—Montana’s Marc Racicot, Massachusetts’s Bill Weld, and New Jersey’s Christie Todd Whitman—urging affirmance of the Colorado court decision barring former President Donald Trump from inclusion on the 2024 presidential election ballot. That
Continue Reading Stafford Rosenbaum Election & Political Law Attorneys File Amicus Brief in United States Supreme Court

Attorneys Jim Egle and Jill Martin Present “Business Succession and Transition”
Attorneys Jim Egle and Jill Martin recently presented on business succession and transition for members and guests of the Wisconsin Family Business Center. Their presentation was part of the FBC’s recurring Speaker Series, with a January program focused on helping family members navigate the complexities of being part of a family enterprise, emphasizing how each generation can best support the roles individuals play now and into the
Continue Reading Attorneys James Egle and Jill Martin Present on Business Succession for the Wisconsin Family Business Center

Attorney Amy Collins O’Hara to Present on the Elements of a Divorce during State Bar CLE Program
On Friday, January 26, Attorney Amy Collins O’Hara will present on the elements of a divorce during the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Handling a Basic Divorce 2024. Her presentation is part of a day-long CLE for member and non-members of the State Bar.
Amy Collins O’Hara is a partner at Stafford Rosenbaum and co-leader of the firm’s family law practice team with
Continue Reading Attorney Amy Collins O’Hara Presents on Divorce for State Bar of Wisconsin

As attorneys, we must balance our duties and responsibilities between protecting our clients and following our own ethical obligations. The
Supreme Court Rules provide guidance but even with that direction, the practical application can be difficult. The Ethical Landscape While most communication with a client is protected by the well-known attorney-client privilege under Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 20:1.6, it does not allow for perpetuating certain conduct, including lying to the tribunal. Wisconsin attorneys are bound by a duty of
Continue Reading An Ethical Quandary: Clients Who Lie

Attorney Doug Poland to Present on Updates in Election Administration and Access to Voting at the Wisconsin State Bar
On Thursday, December 7, Attorney Doug Poland will present on recent updates in election administration and access to voting at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Annual Constitutional Law Symposium 2023. The presentation is part of a day-long symposium for members and non-members of the State Bar.
Doug is a partner in Stafford Rosenbaum’s Madison office. His practice focuses on election
Continue Reading Attorney Douglas Poland Presents at State Bar of Wisconsin’s Annual Constitutional Law Symposium

Attorney Tiffany Highstrom Presents to Guardians Ad Litem & Family Law Practitioners
On December 7, from 12:00-1:00 PM, Attorney Tiffany Highstrom will lead and present on a webinar panel sponsored and hosted by the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin (CFLCW). Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls: A Webinar for GALs & Family Law Practitioners will cover the recent Wisconsin Ethics Opinion EF-23-02 relative to Guardian ad Litem Conflicts and Informed Consent, Confidentiality and other Obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct,
Continue Reading Attorney Tiffany Highstrom to Present on Ethics for GALs & Family Law Practitioners

Attorney Jeff Mandell Receives Wisconsin and Nationwide Attention on Redistricting and Wisconsin Legislative Maps
Stafford Rosenbaum Partner Jeff Mandell made an appearance on the November 19, 2023 edition of UpFront, a Wisconsin TV broadcast produced by ABC on Sunday mornings. He is part of the counsel team leading oral arguments before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on November 21 to argue that the state’s legislative maps violate state constitutional standards and to request redistricting in time for the 2024 elections.
Continue Reading Attorney Jeff Mandell in the Media Spotlight Surrounding Wisconsin Redistricting

Attorney Johanna Allex to Present on Special Needs Trusts for the Madison Public Library Foundation
The Madison Public Library Foundation will host Special Needs Trusts as part of an upcoming presentation in its virtual Educational Series.
Special needs trusts are set up for people with physical or cognitive disabilities to supplement benefits, such as Social Security, SSI, or Medicaid, without impacting their ability to receive those benefits. An effective special needs trust allows the beneficiary to continue receiving benefits
Continue Reading Attorney Johanna Allex to Present on Special Needs Trusts

Stafford Rosenbaum Attorneys Address the Corporate Transparency Act with Business Owners
On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Family Business Center will host morning and lunchtime presentations during its Food for Thought program. Attorneys Jim Egle and Iana Vladimirova will present on the Corporate Transparency Act, coming into effect on January 1, 2024, during the program. The presentation details what beneficial ownership information a company must report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN),
Continue Reading Attorneys James Egle and Iana Vladimirova to Present on the Corporate Transparency Act