Yacht Club at Sister Bay Condo Association, Inc. v. Village of Sister Bay (Public/Private Nuisance)

In Yacht Club at Sister Bay Condo Association, Inc. v. Village of Sister Bay (2019 WI 4), the Supreme Court determined that each nuisance-causing event at a town concert venue is a new “event” triggering a new 120-day notice period for filing a claim against the town. The Village of Sister Bay built an outdoor concert […]

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AG Kaul Announces Wisconsin DOJ Appointees

After taking office on Jan. 7, newly elected Attorney General Josh Kaul has announced several appointments within the Department of Justice (DOJ). Appointees include current DOJ employees and alumni, as well as some new faces. Kaul’s appointments include: Deputy attorney general – Eric J. Wilson. Wilson comes to DOJ from Godfrey & Kahn. His previous […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidates Finalized

Court of Appeals Judges Brian Hagedorn and Lisa Neubauer have both officially filed to run for the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the April 2019 election. Hagedorn and Neubauer will compete to replace Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who announced in May she will not run for re-election after four terms on the bench. With just two candidates running, […]

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2019-20 Judiciary & Courts Committees

Senate and Assembly leadership have finalized committee assignments for the 2019-20 session, including those committees that will likely be tasked with legal reform bills. Lists of committee members are below. Senate Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), Chair Andre Jacque (R-DePere), Vice-Chair Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) Fred Risser (D-Madison) Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) […]

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Complaint Filed Seeking to Declare Extraordinary Session Legislation Unconstitutional

A coalition has filed a complaint seeking to deem the legislature’s 2018 extraordinary session legislation unconstitutional and unenforceable. The complaint argues that the extraordinary session was not convened in accordance with the Wisconsin Constitution, which authorizes the legislature to meet only as provided by law or when convened by the governor (Wis. Const. Art. IV, […]

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Court of Appeals Certification: Clean Wisconsin v. Department of Natural Resources

The Court of Appeals District II submitted a certification this week asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take up Clean Wisconsin v. Department of Natural Resources. The issue in this case is whether 2011 Act 21 precludes DNR from considering cumulative environmental impacts in issuing high capacity well permits under Wis. Stat. § 281.34. DNR […]

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Engelhardt v. City of New Berlin (Governmental Immunity)

In Engelhardt v. City of New Berlin (2019 WI 2), the Supreme Court held that the City of New Berlin was negligent when a child drowned on a field trip because the known and present danger exception to governmental immunity applied. Lily Engelhardt drowned on a field trip with the City of New Berlin Parks […]

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West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Calumet Equity Mutual Insurance Co. (Coverage for Domestic Duties)

In West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Calumet Equity Mutual Insurance Co. (2018AP435), the Court of Appeals District II held that farming work is not a “domestic duty” covered by an insurance policy. The case arises from an accident where plaintiff David Schaefer’s cows escaped and caused a collision on a nearby road. West Bend […]

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Turner v. Bounce Back, LLC (Personal Injury)

In Turner v. Bounce Back, LLC (2018AP352), the Court of Appeals District III affirmed that the manufacturer of an inflatable air bag was not liable for injuries sustained when Colin Turner jumped onto it. Fifty-eight-year-old Turner was injured at a Chippewa Valley music festival when he jumped from a platform onto the airbag, attempting to […]

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John Soletski v. Krueger International, Inc. (Statute of Repose/Independent Contractor Rule)

In John Soletski v. Krueger International, Inc. (2017AP2063), the Court of Appeals District III held that Krueger was not liable for an injury to an independent contractor operating its scissor lift. The court held the plaintiff’s negligence claims were barred under the statute of repose and the rule of employer immunity for independent contractors. Furthermore, […]

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