Archives: U.S. Supreme Court

SCOTUS Arguments on Proposition 8

Published: Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

While predicting any court has never been my strong suit, it’s difficult for me to see the court going way out on a limb and finding a constitutional right to marry for same-sex couples.

Justice Thomas and Appellate Arguments

Published: Tuesday, January 15th, 2013

While some appellate arguments can be mundane and boring, others, especially at the U.S. Supreme Court level, present the legal system at its best: A high level discussion of how the law affects society and should be used to improve the world we live in.

High Court to Decide Same-Sex Marriage

Published: Friday, December 7th, 2012

My biases are in favor of striking downthe Defense of Mariiage Act (DOMA). First, it would be good for my business! But, more importantly, I fail to see how allowing two people who love each other to declare a commitment for each other is a bad thing for society.

The Case for Televised Oral Arguments

Published: Monday, September 10th, 2012

Given the low perception in which lawyers and the legal system are held by the general public, it is absurd that most trials can be televised but oral arguments before most appellate courts cannot.

New Statute Adds Extra Hurdle to Admit Expert Testimony

Published: Thursday, April 7th, 2011

Wisconsin had long adhered to the “relevance” test for expert testimony: Whether the evidence would likely assist the finder of fact. As recently as a year ago, the Wisconsin Supreme Court refused to adopt Daubert. Never shy, the Wisconsin Legislature has decided it knows evidentiary law better than the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Third Party Visitation in Wisconsin

Published: Thursday, March 1st, 2001

Wisconsin law is a mixture of different standing requirements and standards for grandparent visitation and other third-party intervention. Thus, some of these statutes are vulnerable to constitutional attack in light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.