Archive: 2025

Consider a recent order from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. SC order No. 2025WI37 will allow Wisconsin lawyers to receive continuing legal education credit for courses in cultural competency and reduction in bias. Taking these courses are, at least for now, voluntary. The rule passed by a 4-3 vote with Justices Brian Hagedorn, Rebecca Grassl Bradley and Annette Kingsland Ziegler dissenting.

The recent conviction of Maxwell Anderson for the murder and dismemberment of Sade Robinson is causing me to do something quite rare: write a column praising our legal system. It almost hurts to write this!

One year ago, the Wisconsin Supreme Court announced the creation of an “Attorney Retention and Recruitment Committee” to, according to the announcement, “consider the shortage of lawyers representing criminal defendants.”

Much as I would prefer any other topic for my column this month, the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan was the biggest story in local law in, well, forever.

With a lump or two in my throat, I’m going to address one of the most difficult issues in the area of law — the complicated situation of those suffering with mental health conditions who are involved in our legal system.

Permit me to fantasize for a moment. Fifteen years ago, our Supreme Court had an opportunity to rule that “truth in advertising” applied to Supreme Court elections. It failed to do so. It also failed to rule to the contrary.  Instead, the court tied 3-3, and in Wisconsin our rules do not allow a tie-breaker.

The Super Bowl is over. Days are getting longer. The best words in the English language are: “Pitchers and catchers report.” Baseball will soon return!

Happy New Year! As usual, I’ll start the new year with a review of my columns from last year – some more controversial than others.