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Features

Staying Alive: Recruiting Lawyers in Smaller Communities

Law firm partners in small to mid-sized Wisconsin communities face special challenges in recruiting and retaining new lawyers - and in ensuring that their firms continue to survive.

I told you not to do that! Client misconduct as a defense to legal malpractice actions

Lawyers want to do right by their clients - even unhappy ones. In appropriate cases, however, lawyers can and should be prepared to defend themselves against malpractice claims by unsatisfied clients, including situations in which the harm claimed by the client was the result of the client's misconduct.

Intended Advocate; Unintended Lobbyist; Regulating Elections and Lobbying in Wisconsin

The new Government Accountability Board will change how elections and lobbying are regulated, but the underlying laws remain the same. Lawyers should know how the lobby laws affect their practices and clients, because a lawyer's advocacy may unintentionally subject the lawyer and client to lobby law requirements and penalties.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Inside the Bar
Serving Solo and Small-firm Lawyers
Since 93 percent of State Bar of Wisconsin law firms are solo practices and small firms, it is no surprise that the State Bar develops products and services with them in mind. An excellent example of such a service is the 2007 Solo & Small Firm Conference to be held in Milwaukee on Nov. 29 and 30.

President's Message
Nastier, Noisier, Costlier
To return civility and neutrality to judicial elections, an ad hoc Wisconsin Judicial Campaign Commission will educate the public about judges' unique role and responsibilities, seek pledges from judicial candidates to adhere to the Code of Judicial Conduct, and review campaign materials intended to influence voters.

Ethics
Exceptions to the Client Confidentiality Rule
The lawyer's duty to maintain client confidentiality is a distinguishing and critical element of the attorney-client relationship. Yet, the Rules of Professional Responsibility provide for narrow instances when a lawyer must, and other instances when a lawyer may, release confidential information learned from a client.

Practice Tips
Online Public Access to Circuit Court Dockets
Since 93 percent of State Bar of Wisconsin law firms are solo practices and small firms, it is no surprise that the State Bar develops products and services with them in mind. An excellent example of such a service is the 2007 Solo & Small Firm Conference to be held in Milwaukee on Oct. 29 and 30.

Technology
Speech Recognition for the Law Office
The new generation of speech recognition products offers significant improvements over its predecessors. A case in point is the noticeably better accuracy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking's latest version. The help you've been waiting for may be here.