On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Wisconsin Senate passed AB 27, Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting (TIPAC), on a bipartisan vote, 23-10 (five Democrats joined all 18 Republicans). This legislation provides greater transparency and oversight when the State of Wisconsin hires private plaintiff attorneys on a contingency fee basis. The bill also imposes caps on attorney’s […]
Senate Passes Bi-Partisan Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Sep. 18, 2013 - 8:23am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate voted 32-1 to enact changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. AB 200 makes several significant changes to Wisconsin’s law, as outlined in this memo from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and […]
Senate Committee Considers Changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law
Date Thu, Aug. 22, 2013 - 7:22am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs will today vote on long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and recreational vehicle manufacturers as having the worst lemon law in the country. The law places unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that […]
Civil Justice Reforms Move Forward
Date Mon, Jul. 8, 2013 - 11:13am By Hamilton
With the budget having been completed, the focus of the remainder of the 2013-14 legislative session will be on individual bills, including civil liability reforms. In this area, the first portion of the 2013-14 legislative session has been very active and successful. Numerous bills improving Wisconsin’s legal climate have received public hearings, passed the Assembly […]
Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions
Date Wed, Jun. 19, 2013 - 2:45pm By Hamilton
In 2011, Gov. Scott Walker introduced and the Legislature passed the omnibus civil liability reform bill (2011 Wisconsin Act 2). One of Act 2’s provisions overturned the Thomas v. Mallet decision, which established the “risk contribution” theory in lead paint cases. The legislature is considering retroactively applying the Act 2 standard to all cases. […]
Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote
Date Fri, Jun. 14, 2013 - 10:22am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly voted 88-8 to enact long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. AB 200 makes several significant changes to Wisconsin’s law, as outlined in this memo from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, […]
Assembly to Vote on Lemon Law Reform Bill
Date Wed, Jun. 12, 2013 - 12:04pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly will today vote on long-needed changes to Wisconsin’s Lemon Law. Wisconsin is universally known among automobile, motorcycle, truck, and recreational vehicle manufacturers as having the worst lemon law in the country. The law places unreasonable and unworkable requirements on vehicle manufacturers that allows lawyers like self-proclaimed “Lemon Law King,” Vince Megna, to […]
Wisconsin Lemon Law Reforms Garner Attention
Date Wed, May. 22, 2013 - 3:01pm By Hamilton
Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Rep. Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) have introduced SB182/AB200, which will help bring Wisconsin’s lemon law back into the mainstream with a number of reasonable changes. The bill’s introduction has drawn national attention, as Wisconsin is known for having the worst lemon law in the country. Wisconsin is the only state in […]
Assembly Advances Civil Justice Legislation
Date Wed, May. 8, 2013 - 4:56pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly has passed three bills, AB 19, AB 27 and AB 139, that will improve Wisconsin’s litigation climate, making Wisconsin a more attractive place to do business. Video of the floor debate is available from WisconsinEye. Personal Injury Trust Claims Transparency (AB 19): The purpose of this legislation is to provide transparency and […]
Civil Justice Bills Headed to the Floor
Date Fri, May. 3, 2013 - 8:41am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly has scheduled a floor vote on three civil justice bills for Wednesday, May 8. Personal Injury Trust Claims Transparency (AB 19): The purpose of this legislation is to provide transparency and prevent fraud involving personal injury trusts by creating certain discovery requirements during litigation. Numerous types of personal injury trusts have been […]