Independent sales representatives—commonly referred to as “reps”—play a critical role in the success of many businesses. For manufacturers, distributors, and other companies that rely on independent sales channels, reps provide access to customers, develop relationships, generate revenue, and help businesses expand into new markets. In return, reps receive commissions on the sales they generate.At its best, this relationship is a classic win-win arrangement. The company, or “principal,” benefits from the rep’s sales efforts without incurring the costs associated with
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Latest from von Briesen & Roper, S.C. News
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Applies ‘Violation of Law’ Exclusion
On April 9, 2026, the Court of Appeals of Wisconsin issued a decision addressing the applicability of the “Violation of Law” exclusion to injuries caused by the accidental discharge of a firearm by a minor defendant, when that defendant was criminally adjudicated for possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. The Court of Appeals of Wisconsin held that the “Violation of Law” exclusion was unambiguous, and, applied to the undisputed facts, barred coverage for the plaintiff-appellants’
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von Briesen Welcomes Two Attorneys to Chicago Office
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Tim Oliver, CEPA and Katie Sluman have joined the Firm’s Chicago office. Tim Oliver, CEPA is a Shareholder in the Business Practice Group. He serves as outside general counsel to closely held and family-owned businesses and focuses on contract, compliance, employment and governance matters, and their major transactions. He is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) advising business owners as they prepare for the sale or succession of their companies. Prior
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von Briesen Welcomes T. Samuel Azinger
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that T. Samuel Azinger has joined the Firm’s Milwaukee office. Azinger is a Shareholder in the Trusts and Estates Section. With more than 10 years of experience, Azinger focuses his practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, retirement benefits planning, charitable giving and special needs planning. Azinger is recognized as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in Trusts and Estates (2021-2022, 2024-2027), Elder Law (2024-2027) and Litigation – Trusts
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von Briesen Welcomes James M. Oliver to its Florida Office
Sep 09 2026
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that James M. Oliver has joined the firm’s Naples, Florida office.James M. Oliver joined the Firm as Counsel in the Business Practice Group. With more than 25 years of experience advising organizations, he navigates complex legal and business challenges across a wide range of industries. Jim is viewed as a trusted advisor who brings sound judgment, strategic insight and a pragmatic approach to his work. His career has
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103 von Briesen Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2027
Aug 19 2026
von Briesen & Roper, s.c. is proud to announce that 103 attorneys are included in the 33rd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Among the accolades von Briesen received: five attorneys are designated as “Lawyer of the Year”, five lawyers are listed for the first time and 17 attorneys are listed as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.“Lawyer of the Year” Awards: Madison, WI
- Michael P. Crooks – Insurance Law; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Milwaukee,
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von Briesen Welcomes Seven Attorneys in Four Offices
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today the addition of seven attorneys in four offices: Claire A. McDonough and Christian T. Oehrlein joined the Milwaukee office, James P. Anderson and T. Alexander Dee joined the Madison office, Anne E. Flinchum and Ann L. Patteson joined the Firm’s Green Bay office and Anthony S. Wachewicz III joined the Eau Claire office.Claire A. McDonough is an Associate in the Trusts and Estates Section. She focuses her practice on helping individuals,
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Holds That the Ensuing Loss Exception Reinstates Coverage for Rainwater Damage Caused by Construction Defects
On July 6, 2026, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin held in a narrow 4-3 decision that the ‘ensuing loss’ exception to the “Construction Defect” exclusion (or “Faulty Workmanship” exclusion) contained in the policyholder-defendants’ homeowner’s insurance policy reinstated coverage for damages caused by rainwater entering the policyholder’s dwelling as a result of construction defects, regardless of whether such defects existed from the time of original construction. Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. Ropicky, 2026 WI 25. While the Court recognized and purported
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Wisconsin’s APRN Modernization Act – New Emergency Rules Chart the Path to Independent Practice
For years, Wisconsin has been among a shrinking group of states that require advanced practice nurses to maintain a collaborative agreement with a physician or dentist in order to practice. That is about to change. On September 1, 2026, the APRN Modernization Act (Act 17) takes effect, moving Wisconsin from a system that certifies advanced practice nurse prescribers (APNPs) to one that licenses advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and, for qualifying nurses, permits independent practice for the first time.
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Title IX and ‘Sex’: What B.P.J. Means for Wisconsin Schools
The Supreme Court of the United States has at last addressed a years’ long debate: How is the term “sex” defined under Title IX? In its landmark decision West Virginia v. B.P.J., the Court found the term means one’s sex at birth, rather than one’s gender identity. As a result, the Court determined public institutions may implement sex-based eligibility restrictions for women’s and girls’ sports focused on the athlete’s sex assigned at birth without violating Title IX. The Court
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von Briesen Announces Three Shareholder Promotions
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., today announced the promotions of Blayne Nicole Christy, Anne M. Stacey and Morgan L. Turner to Shareholder. Blayne Nicole Christy is a Shareholder in the Madison office. She focuses her practice on insurance coverage matters and litigation. Christy is recognized as a Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law (2026) and a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® for Insurance Law (2025). Christy is a member of Wisconsin Defense Counsel and the Dane County
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von Briesen Welcomes Touly Vang as AI Innovation Manager
von Briesen & Roper, s.c., announced today that Touly Vang joined the Firm as AI Innovation Manager, a newly created position focused on advancing artificial intelligence initiatives and innovation throughout the Firm.Vang will execute the Firm’s AI roadmap and design and deploy AI-enabled solutions across the entire Firm.The creation of the AI Innovation Manager position builds on von Briesen’s history of technological and AI innovation. von Briesen was an early adopter of legal AI tools, including the IBM Watson-based
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Truth in Planning Law Changes Planning and Zoning for Municipalities
Wisconsin’s recently enacted 2025 Act 173, commonly referred to as the “Truth in Planning” law, introduces important changes to the relationship between comprehensive planning and zoning for municipalities. Act 173 represents a meaningful shift in Wisconsin land use law and reflects broader policy objectives related to housing availability and affordability. By requiring municipalities to plan for residential development in a more detailed and transparent manner, the legislature intended the updated statutes to reduce uncertainty and facilitate the construction of
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Confirms the Consumer Act Does Not Govern Residential Leases
On June 5, 2026, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its decision in Koble Investments v. Marquardt, 2026 WI 19, reversing a court of appeals ruling that had unsettled residential landlord-tenant law across the state. The Court of Appeals originally held that a residential lease is a “consumer transaction” subject to the Wisconsin Consumer Act (“WCA”) debt-collection prohibitions and that the lease was void and unenforceable under Wis. Stat. § 704.44(10) and Wis. Admin Code § ATCP 134.08(10), exposing landlords
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Moratorium on New Medicare Enrollment
CMS is imposing a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for hospices and home health agencies in a sweeping effort to combat fraud.
Effective immediately, CMS will not process new Medicare enrollment applications or certain changes in majority ownership for hospices and home health agencies across the country for the next six months. This action is designed to prevent fraudulent providers from entering the Medicare program and to disrupt schemes that exploit vulnerable beneficiaries and taxpayer funds. Existing
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Wisconsin Reins in Assignment of Benefits: What Property Insurers Need to Know Before Dec. 1, 2026
On April 8, 2026, Governor Evers signed 2025 Senate Bill 531, creating 2025 Wis. Act 230, which enacts a new provision of Wisconsin’s insurance statutes: § 632.11. Section 632.11 imposes new regulations on assignments of benefits obtained by contractors. While this new statute has provisions relevant to contractors, consumers, and insurers, the focus of this Legal Update is on the impact of this new statute on insurance companies.
But first, some context. An “assignment” is a contract where one
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