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'It's Hard to See That We're Still Struggling' –
Task Force Report on Wisconsin Lawyer Well-Being

The Task Force on Wisconsin Lawyer Well-Being addresses the harm to lawyers' physical and mental health from stress and the risks this harm causes to the judicial system and the public. The task force presented its report and recommendations to the State Bar Board of Governors in December 2021.

By Jeff M. Brown

Margaret Hickey: Family and Elder Law Attorney Focuses on Inclusion

As State Bar president, Margaret Hickey's top priorities are helping newer lawyers, providing greater access to justice, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the bar and in the wider legal profession.

By Ed Finkel

Hit Points: Regulating Less-than-Lethal Weapons

Know the possible legal perils for clients who buy, carry, and use items like pepper spray, bludgeons, and stun guns. This article explains how Wisconsin law defines and classifies less-than-lethal weapons, focusing on self-defense and concealed-carry statutes and regulations.

By Peter R. Heyne

Water Law Perspectives from the West

Understanding the backdrop of scarcity, the perceived stability surrounding property rights, and the value of water in a dry land will help Wisconsin lawyers learn from the western United States and their residents.

By Gregor MacGregor

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Your State Bar
The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades
By working together, Larry Martin says, lawyers, judges and State Bar staff can ensure that the state's legal professionals and judicial system continue to survive and thrive.

Managing Risk
Opening the Floodgates
Summer storms are one type of weather event that can disrupt a lawyer's or law firm's practice. Matt Beier says being prepared for the possibility of business interruptions and property damage is a vital element of law client service.

Solutions
Legal Resources: Researching Stormwater and Flood Management
Stormwater and flood management is a field that requires knowledge of laws and regulation at multiple levels of government. Carol Hassler provides a helpful resource list that includes quick links.

On Balance
The Business Case for Lawyer Well-Being
Julie Bonasso, a member of the Task Force on Wisconsin Lawyer Well-Being, lays out the business case for ensuring lawyers' mental and physical health.

Technology
Responding to a Data Breach
Law firms and lawyers experiencing cybersecurity incidents have both legal and ethical obligations to protect client data and inform clients of potential exposure. Kate Campbell and Christopher Shattuck provide tips to help you navigate a cybersecurity breach.

Ethics
Direct Solicitation of Potential Clients: "No" for Lawyers and Staff
Dean Dietrich says lawyers who pay other individuals to make direct contact with potential clients violate several ethics rules and a Wisconsin statute.

Final Thought
Chief Justice: Court System Security is a Top Priority
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Ziegler says it is vital that courts and the legal system be safe and peaceful environments for resolution of disputes.