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Features

Bridging the Distance: Videoconferencing in Wisconsin Circuit Courts

On July 1, 2008, a new rule took effect that regulates and encourages the expanded use of video technology in Wisconsin circuit courts while protecting litigants’ rights. Here’s how it works.

Paperless Courts: E-Filing in Wisconsin Circuit Courts

On July 1, a rule setting out procedures for filing circuit court cases electronically takes effect. E-filing will debut county by county as circuit court judges and clerks implement the procedures. Here’s what you need to know to take full advantage of this process when it becomes available in your county.

Was your law practice interrupted by flood issues? SBA Office of Disaster Assistance low-interest loans available

If your law office or your client's office was wiped out or affected from the recent floods, your insurance agent and whoever holds your mortgage still expect to be paid. When you have a business interruption the bills don't stop.

Need more guidance on implementing videoconferencing?

What's new in the court rule?

The new rule, codified as Wis. Stat. section 801.17, makes as few changes as possible from current practices and procedures. Changes were necessary in four key areas to achieve the efficiency that is the hallmark of electronic filing, while the fifth change provides added protection for confidential documents.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Inside the Bar
A Wild Ride
More than half of the State Bar’s members have been affected by the June floods. Resources are available to recover from the current disaster and to plan ahead for the next one.

Profile
Of Detours and Learning Curves
Diane Diel knows that sometimes you need to change direction, whether in your career path or in your priorities as the new State Bar president.

Letters
The Wisconsin Lawyer publishes as many letters in each issue as space permits. Please limit letters to 500 words; letters may be edited for length and clarity. Letters should address the issues, and not be a personal attack on others. Letters endorsing political candidates cannot be accepted.

Ethics
Border Hopping: New Rules on Multijurisdictional Practices
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has tentatively approved changes to SCR 20:5.5 regarding multijurisdictional practice in Wisconsin, both for lawyers not licensed in Wisconsin who occasionally provide legal services to clients in Wisconsin and for Wisconsin-licensed lawyers who provide legal services to clients in other jurisdictions in which they are not licensed to practice.

Need Web site content? Turn to State Bar consumer pamphlets
As more people turn to the Internet in search of trustworthy, substantive information, you can now feature the same valuable information contained in the State Bar of Wisconsin's Consumer Pamphlet Series on your Web site. For a nominal cost, you can license online versions of these pamphlets and thus have yet another way to communicate your law firm's areas of expertise.

131 U.W. grads admitted to practice
On June 11, 131 U.W. Law School graduates were admitted to practice. The new lawyers were welcomed to the profession by the Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, U.W. Law School Dean Kenneth B. Davis, State Bar President Tom Basting, and Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners Director John E. Kosobucki.

Technology
Search Engine Marketing: Getting Noticed on the Web
Having a great Web site isn’t enough by itself to get your firm noticed. Even if you’ve done everything else right – your cutting-edge content showcases your firm’s expertise on exquisitely designed Web pages that visitors can easily navigate – your visitors have to be able to find you in the first place. That’s where search engine marketing comes in.

Legislative Update
Power Split Hampers 2007-2008 Legislative Session
Although a partisan power split hampered productivity during the 2007-2008 legislative session, the State Bar and its lobbying sections gained some ground on important issues. Here’s a brief look at the highlights of issues tackled on which the State Bar or its sections took positions.