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Wisconsin Legal Trends 2025

In this article, lawyers discuss legal trends in 18 different practice areas, with other insights on legal marketing, legal research, and law office administration.

By Joe Forward

Child Testimony in Family Law Cases: Justifying a Decision

Attorneys and parties in divorce cases involving minor children are likely to face resistance if they attempt to have those children testify at trial. This discussion of the status of the law in Wisconsin suggests ways that children's thoughts about relevant issues in their parents' cases can be conveyed to the court.

By Hon. Thomas John Walsh

Practice Pulse
Generative AI in the Legal Industry: Trends for 2025

No one knows with any certainty how generative artificial intelligence will affect legal practice in 2025, but existing trends will likely continue. Here are the most significant trends.

By Brent J. Hoeft

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

President's Message
Don't Skip the Tutorial: The Value of "I Know This" CLEs
Ryan Billings says attending continuing legal education on previously mastered material can spark new strategies and possibilities, reveal gaps in understanding, or confirm the lack thereof. And that's valuable.

Your State Bar
Join Campaign to Increase Civil Legal Aid
Larry Martin encourages State Bar members to help in the effort to increase state funding for civil legal services for Wisconsin residents.

101
Deepfakes and the Legal Profession
Kristopher Turner provides tips to navigate a world where images, video, and audio can easily deceive anyone, including crime victims, witnesses, lawyers, jurors, and judges.

Ethical Dilemma
Charging Legal Fees for Nonlegal Work
The rate a lawyer can charge for nonlegal services depends on whether the lawyer's professional skill and knowledge added value to the work. Sarah Peterson explains.

Managing Risk
Claims Down, Costs Up: What WILMIC's Data Means for Lawyers
The frequency of claims remains low but the cost to defend and resolve them rose significantly. Matthew Beier explains the trends that underscore the evolving nature of legal malpractice risks and provides a look ahead.

Solutions
Bridging the Justice Gap Amid Growing Challenges
Megan Lee says the Civil Legal Aid Alliance of Wisconsin unites providers, funders, and law firms in a shared mission of increasing resources for legal aid providers to bridge the justice gap in Wisconsin.

Technology
Pick Your Winner – 2025 Smartphone Lineup
James Pearson highlights artificial intelligence, overall battery life and performance, storage, price, and screen specifications of the year's top smartphone manufacturers: Apple, Google, Samsung, and Motorola.

Reflections
How Courts Should Deal with Generative AI: A Judge's Perspective
Judge Jean Kies says generative artificial intelligence technology creates opportunities but also risks, and judges and lawyers must consider how to guide and potentially limit its use because of effects on case outcomes.

Rotunda Report
Civil Legal Aid Ensures Access to Justice for All
The government relations team reports the State Bar Board of Governors believes Wisconsin lawmakers should increase state funding for civil legal aid providers through sustainable, long-term budget allocations.

Final Thought
More Voices in 2025
Members are the voices of Wisconsin lawyers. Joe Forward invites your contributions to State Bar publications, podcasts, and blogs. Make some noise!