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Features

Lawyers who spend a lot of time talking for a living might view media relations as a no-brainer. Seven media-savvy individuals debunk the myth that ‘talking is talking,’ and explain why professional skill is needed in media relations and what works best when relating to news reporters.

2009 Wisconsin Act 20: Changes to Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law

2009 Wisconsin Act 20, effective July 1, 2009, expands Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law to make available compensatory and punitive damages for employment discrimination, unfair genetic testing, and unfair honesty testing in an employment setting. These damages are in addition to other remedies available under the Fair Employment Law. Act 20 more closely aligns Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law with Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

Recent Significant Wisconsin Federal Court Decisions

Federal court interpretations of Wisconsin law are persuasive, but not binding on Wisconsin courts. Yet they affect how Wisconsin law develops and is argued. Here is a look at some significant Wisconsin federal court decisions interpreting Wisconsin law since 2007, encompassing common law claims, statutory interpretations, and a criminal case considering Wisconsin law under federal habeas corpus jurisdiction.

Opinions, Voices & Ideas

Inside the Bar
Don’t Miss Out
The Oct. 29-31 Solo & Small Firm Conference – with its focus on the business side of practicing law in a down economy – offers great value for the price, past attendees say.

President’s Message
The Making of Sausage
Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” – Otto von Bismark. The same may be said of the State Bar’s budget. It ain’t pretty, but you really need to know how it works.

Profile
"For the Good" Spotlight: County Bar Associations’ Free Legal Clinics
Recognizing local citizens’ need for basic legal information and help understanding the legal process, members of the Eau Claire and Chippewa county bar associations long ago began what has since become models for other county bars’ free legal clinics.

Ethics
Talking to the News Media about Civil Legal Matters
This article discusses the Rules of Professional Conduct and what a lawyer can say and cannot say in a civil matter triable to a jury. A future ethics column will discuss what types of statements can be made and cannot be made about a criminal proceeding.

Letters
Letters to the editor: 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.

Managing Risk
Afraid to take time off?
A good work-life balance can make you a better lawyer. Whether you are thinking about reduced hours, working from home, taking sabbaticals, or just leaving work at the office on weekends, it may be worth it if it helps you do your job better and serve your clients more effectively.