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2016 Wisconsin Legal Innovators

Who are Wisconsin’s innovators? Meet these movers and shakers – and learn what drove them to put new ideas to work to solve problems and improve the delivery of legal services..

By Dianne Molvig

Legal Malpractice: What Is It, Really?

Lawyers who fail to recognize legal malpractice might, even with the best of intentions, end up committing it. Learn more here about identifying and adhering to the applicable standard of care for your legal work.

By Jeffrey P. Aiken

Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016: Protecting Trade Secrets

Individuals who contemplate misappropriating or stealing intellectual property, take heed: the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 significantly increases the potential costs and penalties of stealing trade secrets. Read how Wisconsin lawyers can use the Act to protect clients who own or use trade secrets.

By Maria L. Kreiter, Brian C. Spahn & Erin M. Cook

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Hesitate No More: It’s Time to Innovate
Fran Deisinger says change might be daunting, but as this year’s legal innovators demonstrate, it’s also rewarding to lawyers and clients alike.

Your State Bar
Gary Bakke Was Right
George Brown says that as former State Bar President Gary Bakke urged, Wisconsin legal innovators are developing solutions to challenges facing the profession.

101
E-filing: How to Craft Effective Motions and Briefs in the Digital Era
Reading on a computer screen differs from paper reading. Laura Lavey and Chad Baruch present ideas for creating more effective motions and briefs in the e-filing environment.

As I See It
Rejected: Municipal Home Rule Powers in Milwaukee Cases
Michael May looks at two supreme court rulings that rejected Milwaukee’s exercise of its authority under the constitutional home rule amendment for municipalities.

Ethics
Watch Your Words While Litigating
Poor behavior in the courtroom, including making disrespectful or sarcastic comments, might subject a lawyer to discipline by the presiding judge, says Dean Dietrich.

Marketing
Using LinkedIn as a Marketing Tool
Larry Bodine says LinkedIn is most useful to lawyers when used to connect with other local professionals who might refer new business.

Solutions
Succession Planning: Rewarding the Senior Lawyer
Roy Ginsburg says succession planning works best when retiring senior lawyers receive the proper monetary incentives to transition their clients to other lawyers in the firm.

Managing Risk
Malpractice Trends: Claims Decline with Proper Technology Use
Technology innovations may help lawyers reduce administrative errors, but Tom Watson says if lawyers’ record-keeping is sloppy, a malpractice claim might be near.

Final Thought
Relish New Ideas
As current political and judicial developments illustrate, says Jeff Mandell, lawyers need an innovative mindset for the business and substance of law.