Janet Protasiewicz was sworn in as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court on August 1, replacing Justice Patience Roggensack, who did not seek reelection after serving two ten-year terms, including a stint as chief justice from 2015 to 2021. Justice Protasiewicz, previously a judge in Milwaukee County, defeated former Justice Dan Kelly in the […]
Protasiewicz Joins Wisconsin Supreme Court as New Majority Asserts Control; Redistricting Lawsuits Filed
Date Thu, Aug. 17, 2023 - 10:20am By Hamilton
Litigation Financing: Coalition Asks Federal Committee to Adopt Disclosure Rule
Date Fri, May. 19, 2023 - 8:50am By Hamilton
We recently reported on the ongoing controversy involving Burford Capital, the largest provider of third party litigation funding (TPLF) in the world. On May 8, a broad national coalition of 35 business associations and tort reform advocates sent a letter to the federal Advisory Committee on Civil Rules regarding TPLF. The letter asks the committee […]
Lawsuit Against Burford Capital Reveals Dangers of Litigation Financing
Date Thu, May. 4, 2023 - 9:26am By Hamilton
Third party litigation funding or “litigation financing” is a form of investing in which hedge funds and other financiers invest in a lawsuit in exchange for a portion of any settlement or judgement award. The investment provides cash to plaintiffs to litigate a claim, while the financier—thanks to its sophisticated underwriting—anticipates the case to end […]
Supreme Court Candidates Kelly, Protasiewicz Win Primary
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:20pm By Hamilton
In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, four candidates were on the ballot for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Former Justice Daniel Kelly, a judicial conservative, and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a judicial liberal, were the top two vote-getters. They will face off in the general election on April 4. Over […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: Endorsements and Fundraising
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 - 10:40am By Hamilton
Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. Four candidates are facing off in the primary election on February 21. Early voting for the primary started February 7. The top two […]
Supreme Court Candidates Discuss Philosophy and Key Cases at WisPolitics Forum
Date Wed, Jan. 11, 2023 - 9:32am By Hamilton
Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. The race will be hotly contested, attracting a significant amount of attention. The four candidates for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme […]
Judges Announce Campaigns for Supreme Court Next Year
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:10am By Hamilton
Two state judges have announced campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court next year for the seat currently occupied by Justice Patience Roggensack, who plans to retire. The race will appear on the nonpartisan spring ballot in April 2023. Justices in Wisconsin serve staggered 10-year terms. On May 25, Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz announced her […]
Judge Rules Legislative Oversight of DOJ Settlements is Unconstitutional
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:22pm By Hamilton
A relatively new law, requiring the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) to seek legislative approval to settle or discontinue a civil action, is facing a legal challenge brought by Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul. Enacted in December 2018 during a “lame-duck” extraordinary session, 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 granted the review power to the Legislature’s budget-writing […]
Legislative Update: Lawsuit Lending; Building Trades; GOP Workforce Package
Date Wed, Feb. 16, 2022 - 6:07pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature appears poised to finish its business by March 10, the last regular session day on its 2021-22 calendar. With that, many bills are moving quickly through the legislative process. Here, we review some notable items. Hearings this week on lawsuit lending reform A bill (AB 858/SB 842) to reform lawsuit lending in […]
2022 Legislative Preview
Date Tue, Dec. 21, 2021 - 7:50pm By Hamilton
In 2022, the Wisconsin Legislature is expected to continue committee work and floor votes for the first few months of the year and then adjourn at some point in the spring. Here are a few key bills we will be watching: Assembly Bill (AB) 296/Senate Bill (SB) 309: Defining “telehealth” and “free and charitable clinics” […]