The State Bar’s Board of Governors invited Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Brian Hagedorn to give opening remarks at the Board’s meeting on April 11, 2025. He discussed the high cost of entering the legal profession coupled with the problem of legal deserts, and ideas to consider. He also discussed the politicization of the bar and other institutions, and threats to the constitutional order. Photos: Shannon Green.
April 14, 2025 – Jill Creston Rothstein will become the State Bar of
April 11, 2025 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 53-member Board of Governors today selected Jill Creston Rothstein as the State Bar’s next Executive Director. Rothstein, currently general counsel for the South Carolina Bar, will succeed Larry J. Martin, who is retiring effective Sept. 2, 2025.
“Jill is brilliant, curious and thoughtful, pairing a strong analytical mind with a deep passion for lawyers and the good works that bar associations do,” said State Bar President Ryan Billings, chair of
Justice Ann Walsh Bradley
April 3, 2025 – The Wisconsin Supreme Court today elected Justice Ann Walsh Bradley to serve as chief justice, effective May 1, 2025. On June 30, 2025, she will step down as chief before retiring on July 31, 2025. Justice Jill Karofsky, also elected, will fill the remaining two-year term as chief justice.
Justice A.W. Bradley and Justice Karofsky succeed Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler, who has served as chief justice for the last four
March 3, 2025 –The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 52-member Board of Governors (Board) in a virtual meeting Friday, Feb. 28, approved a motion to defer action on a proposal for a pilot project to expand lawyer access to court filings on the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website.
The Bankruptcy Insolvency and Creditors Rights
Continue Reading State Bar Board Defers Action on Proposal for More Access to Online Court Records
Ben Payne, chair-elect of the State Bar BICR section, presented a proposal to expand attorneys’ online access to court records to the State Bar Board of Governors.
Dec. 10, 2024 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 53-member Board of Governors (Board) recently discussed – but took no action on – a proposal from the State Bar Bankruptcy, Insolvency and Creditors Rights (BICR) Section to expand attorneys’ online access to court records.
BICR’s proposal, submitted for discussion at the Board’s
At the Board of Governors December meeting, State Bar President Ryan Billings speaks on a proposed increase to the fee that lawyers pay towards the public legal interest services fund (PILSF).
Dec. 9, 2024 – The State Bar of Wisconsin will soon present – to the Wisconsin Supreme Court – the results of a survey that asked if State Bar members would support or oppose increases to the fee that lawyers pay towards the public legal interest services fund
Continue Reading Petition to Increase $50 PILFS Fee: State Bar Will Present Survey Findings to Court
Dec. 2, 2024 – David T. Prosser Jr., former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice, passed away Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, at age 81.
Justice Prosser served 18 years on the court, from 1998 to 2016. He was appointed by Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, and subsequently was elected to 10-year terms in 2001 and 2011.
“Justice Prosser was the quintessential public servant who enjoyed a respected career (spanning more than 40 years) in the service of others,” said Wisconsin Supreme Court
Continue Reading Retired Supreme Court Justice David Prosser Dies at 81
Nov. 27, 2024 – As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, we reflect on our commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law. Each of you – lawyers, judges, and justices – play a critical role in maintaining fairness and trust in our legal system. Together, you help ensure that our shared legal values remain steadfast in Wisconsin.
In this season of gratitude, we extend our deepest thanks to each of you for your dedication, integrity, and
Continue Reading A Message of Appreciation to Wisconsin’s Legal Community
Nov. 14, 2024 – The Wisconsin judiciary is strong but “not without its challenges,” said Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler in her State of the Judiciary Address at the Wisconsin Judicial Conference in Elkhart Lake yesterday (Nov. 13).
In her fourth address as chief justice, Zeigler outlined issues of ongoing concern for the Wisconsin court system, highlighted progress over the past year, and identified a new challenge: Wisconsin’s attorney shortage, especially in rural parts of the
Oct. 28, 2024 – Dan D. Gartzke is elected president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.
In a special election that closed at noon on Friday, Oct. 24, 2024, Gartzke defeated David Lasker of Mauston by 1,417 votes to 1,006.
Gartzke (U.W. 1986) practices family law with Boardman & Clark LLP in Madison.
Gartzke immediately becomes president-elect, filling a vacancy in the position, followed by a one-year term as president starting on July 1, 2025, and a one-year term
Continue Reading State Bar President-elect Post Goes to Dan Gartzke
Oct. 8, 2024 – A 7-year pilot project that established circuit court dockets solely for large claim business and commercial cases in numerous counties will phase out,
under an order the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued Oct. 7, with three justices dissenting.
In 2017, under then-Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, the Wisconsin Supreme Court initially established the “commercial court docket,” or business court, as a temporary 3-year pilot project rolled out in eight counties – Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto,
Continue Reading Wisconsin Supreme Court Order Discontinues Business Court Pilot Project
Byron B. Conway
Sept. 25, 2024 – By a vote of 58-37, the U.S. Senate today confirmed Green Bay attorney Byron B. Conway as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Conway, who previously served on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors (2013-18), is a personal injury attorney and a shareholder at Habush Habush & Rottier.
He graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2002 and holds a
New admittees take the oath in the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.
Sept. 26, 2024 – They are from Wisconsin and across the country – and the world, with one thing in common: On Sept. 23, 2024, all 66 individuals became Wisconsin lawyers.
In two separate ceremonies before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Sept. 23, they took their final steps, taking the Attorney’s Oath and signing the Supreme Court Roll Book.
Chief Justice Annette Kingsland Ziegler and the other justices hosted
Continue Reading Admissions: Welcome to 66 New Wisconsin Lawyers
Sept. 24, 2024 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 53-member Board of Governors recently discussed a petition – filed by eight organizations – that would increase the annual court
Continue Reading State Bar Board Discusses Petition to Increase Annual PILSF Assessment
Aug. 20, 2024 – A party alleging the State Bar of Wisconsin uses membership dues to fund political and ideological activities cannot seek money damages, under a
Continue Reading Litigation Update: State Bar Will Vigorously Defend Keller Procedures
Aug. 6, 2024 – Former State Bar of Wisconsin President Michelle Behnke was elected ABA President-elect at the end of the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago on August 6.“Congratulations to Michelle Behnke on her election as American Bar Association President-elect,” said State Bar of Wisconsin Executive Director Larry Martin. “Her extensive experience in the ABA and her tenure as a trailblazing State Bar President will serve the ABA and it’s 400,000 members well.”
Behnke served as president of the
Continue Reading Michelle Behnke Elected American Bar Association President-elect