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Qualified Immunity: A Dubious Doctrine and a 21st Century Wisconsin Solution

Many legal scholars have criticized the doctrine of qualified immunity. Some say that it has no textual anchor in the language of 42 U.S.C. section 1983 – it is completely a judicial creation. Others emphasize the grave injustices that flow from the doctrine's application. The author suggests there is a state-law solution to what he views as a qualified immunity problem, at least in Wisconsin.

By Jeff Scott Olson

Civil Legal Aid: $176 Million Impact

A Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation study shows that the 12 civil legal aid providers who received 96% of legal aid funding in Wisconsin in 2021 had a combined economic impact of $176 million. That's an 8.4-to-1 return on the money received by the programs.

By Jeff M. Brown

Morocco: A Wisconsin Judge's Perspective

Travel outside the U.S. is once again a possibility, including, for lawyers, trips with a continuing legal education component. Here are highlights of one Wisconsin judge's recent trip to Morocco.

By Hon. Thomas John Walsh

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Moving the Profession Forward – Protect Your Mental Health
Should lawyers take care of themselves or take care of clients? Dean Dietrich says this is not an either/or question.

Your State Bar
A Commitment to Enhancing Your Safety and Security
Larry Martin introduces a new State Bar resource for everyone who works within and alongside the legal community to help protect themselves.

Ethics
Duty Calls? When Someone Is Wrong on the Internet
"You're good at arguing. You should be a lawyer." Stacie Rosenzweig says that’s every lawyer's origin story. But that doesn't mean you should argue about other people's internet or social media posts, no matter how inaccurate they might be.

Solutions
Rural Law Practice: Balancing Challenges and Benefits
Alanna Feddick-Goodwin says finding clients in Wisconsin's rural areas is not difficult, but making time for all their cases is challenging.

On Balance
Shaping the Future: Empowering Attorneys to Create a Career They Love
Unhappy at your job? Julie Bonasso says don't hesitate or overthink; act now to create a career you love. Here are tips to influence real change within current organizations.

Marketing
How to Measure Your Digital Marketing & Set Some Goals
You can't make informed choices about your marketing efforts unless you have data to support your decision-making. Emily Kelchen provides tips to collect meaningful data.

Blogs of the Month
The Corporate Transparency Act Is Coming, Is Your Company Ready?
The Act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024. Collin Schaefer explains what you need to know.

Final Thought
Developing as a Lawyer and a Leader: State Bar Opportunities for Young Lawyers
Serving on the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) board has given Tiffany Woelfel a wealth of leadership opportunities. She shares a few ways the YLD has made her a better leader and lawyer.