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A Long Cup of Coffee with SPD Nick Chiarkas

Nick Chiarkas, State Public Defender for the past 20 years, reflects with Randy Kraft on current issues, challenges and controversies facing our justice system, and the State Public Defender’s office.

Protecting Client Funds in an Uncertain Economy

Lawyers have a duty to ensure client funds are protected in financial institutions, even in times of economic uncertainty and unstable banks.

Law Blogs: The Great Equalizer

A “new” tool advances an "old" marketing method. More lawyers now are using law blogs to enhance their reputations, showcase their expertise, and bring in business the old-fashioned way – by fostering discussion within a network of potential clients.

Free State Bar CLE seminar for public defender appointments

State Bar CLE offers a free seminar to attorneys who sign up for public defender appointments and take five cases. The effort assists the State Public Defender's Office in meeting the ever-increasing need for additional private appointment attorneys.

On your mark, get set, Blog!

Blogs are a hot topic these days: Campaigns have them, prospective clients read them, and professors teach using them so why don't more lawyers have them? The fact is, many lawyers already have blogs and are reaping the rewards of doing so. A blog is an online, reverse chronological record of thoughts.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Inside the Bar
Unlimited CLE Opportunities
When it comes to attending continuing legal education, lawyers want practical courses presented by knowledgeable instructors delivered in multiple formats and at convenient locations and times. And all for a good price.

President's Message
Why don't they hire lawyers?
If it isn't only a problem of access to justice, why are more litigants choosing to represent themselves instead of hiring a lawyer?

Former Supreme Court Justice Roland B. Day remembered for humor and foresight
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Roland B. Day died on July 26. He was 89. He is remembered by supreme court colleagues for fostering collegiality and working toward more prompt release of opinions. "He used his sense of humor, foresight, and administrative skills to move the court forward," said Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson.

Ethics
Self-reporting Lawyer Misconduct
The Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to self-report rule violations and conviction of a crime or a finding of guilt by a court no matter where the crime occurred.

New and revised mandatory court forms available on WisBar
The Wisconsin Records Management Committee recently updated or introduced more than 130 civil, conservatorship, criminal, family, general, guardianship, juvenile, mental, probate, small claims, and traffic mandatory court forms.

Wisconsin law prohibits unlimited contracts for court reporting services
The Wisconsin Court Reporters Association (WCRA) has received increasing complaints related to Wisconsin's law that prohibits unlimited contracts for court reporting services.

Women lawyers lag behind men in managing partner positions and other key law firm roles nationwide
The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) 2007 national survey on retention and promotion of women in law firms found that in the largest U.S. firms, men hold 84 percent of equity partnerships, 92 percent of managing partner positions, and 85 percent of the seats on governing committees.

Technology
Appellate Court E-Filing on the Horizon
On Oct. 28, 2008, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will hold a public hearing on rule amendments introducing electronic filing in the state appellate courts. If, as anticipated, the rules are adopted, they will be effective July 1, 2009, although the appellate e-filing system will be available for attorneys' voluntary use in early 2009.