2009

12/21/09 Supreme court accepts three new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept three new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
12/03/09 Supreme Court accepts seven new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept seven new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals' opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
11/18/09 Supreme Court accepts seven new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept seven new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases; those cases were listed in the November 13 press release. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin for the newly granted cases are provided below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
11/13/09 Supreme Court accepts five new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept five new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals' opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
11/13/09 Judge "C.A." Richards honored for commitment to legal services for the poor
Judge Conrad A. "C. A." Richards has received the Howard B. Eisenberg Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication to legal services for the poor. The award, sponsored by the Equal Justice Fund, was presented during a dinner ceremony in Milwaukee Nov. 7. Read more.
11/05/09 Former justice Myron L. Gordon remembered as 'top-notch' jurist
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Myron L. Gordon, who also served as a federal judge and county judge during his career, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 in Palm Desert, Calif. He was 91. Read more.
10/30/09 State of the Judiciary, State of Director's Office Addresses set for Wednesday
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson will present the 2009 State of the Judiciary Address on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Milwaukee. The Chief’s speech opens the 2009 Meeting of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, a gathering of most of the state’s circuit and appellate court judges. Read more.
10/30/09 Volunteer attorneys to staff Milwaukee self-help clinic
Volunteer attorneys assisted by Marquette University Law students are helping launch a program to provide self-represented litigants at the Milwaukee County Courthouse limited legal advice and referral services. Read more.
10/26/09 Library Initiative helps serve needs of self-represented litigants
On Oct. 29, the Wisconsin Court System and the Winding Rivers and Southwest Library Systems will co-sponsor a special training session in Viroqua for librarians who assist people who represent themselves in court. The project's goal is to foster communication between local courts and public libraries in an effort to better meet the legal service needs of self-represented litigants. Read more.
10/15/09 Court interpreter training planned for Madison
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for interpreter training to be held on Nov. 7-8 at the UW-Extension Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison. Read more.
10/09/09 Milwaukee court initiative to be highlighted at national conference
Milwaukee's Judicial Oversight Initiative, begun in 1999 to improve services to victims and treatment for offenders in domestic violence cases, will be showcased at a national conference in Michigan on November 5. Chief Judge Jeffrey Kremers and Judge Carl Ashley, Milwaukee County Circuit Court, will speak at the conference sponsored by the Batterer Intervention Services Coalition of Michigan. Read more.
10/05/09 Supreme Court accepts eight new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept eight new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
10/01/09 Judicial Teaching Institute openings available
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, the State Bar of Wisconsin and the UW-Madison School of Education will co-host the Judicial Teaching Institute in Madison Oct. 8-10.  Read more.
09/24/09 Public Library Initiative helps serve legal needs of self-represented litigants
On Sept. 29, the Wisconsin Court System and the South Central and Arrowhead Library Systems will co-sponsor a special training session in Madison for librarians who assist people who represent themselves in court. The project's goal is to foster communication between local courts and public libraries in an effort to better meet the legal service needs of self-represented litigants. Read more.
09/02/09 September is Juror Appreciation Month in Wisconsin
During September, circuit courts throughout Wisconsin will host a variety of activities to thank jurors for their service to democracy and the Wisconsin court system. Read more.
08/24/09 Supreme Court accepts four new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept four new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
08/14/09 Davis elected 'chief of the chiefs'
Wisconsin's Committee of Chief Judges today elected Chief Judge J. Mac Davis, Waukesha County Circuit Court, as "chief of the chiefs." In this capacity, Davis serves as chair of the group of 10 chief judges, each of whom is selected by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to help oversee a judicial administrative district. Read more.
07/22/09 Supreme Court accepts two new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept two new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals' opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
07/20/09 Court interpreter training planned for Eau Claire
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for interpreter training to be held Aug. 15-16 at the Eau Claire County Courthouse, 721 Oxford Ave., Eau Claire. Read more.
07/09/09 Supreme Court accepts one new case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept one new case and to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Read more.
06/23/09 Supreme Court accepts two new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept two new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
06/10/09 New Web program uses video games to teach civics
A new Web program developed by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in partnership with Georgetown University Law Center and Arizona State University uses video games to help middle school students understand the role of courts and judges. The games give students an opportunity to step into the shoes of a fictional judge, addressing complex scenarios that force them to make difficult decisions. Read more.
05/29/09 Supreme Court Clerk David Schanker selected as 2009 Henry Toll Fellow
Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Clerk David Schanker is one of 40 emerging state leaders from across the nation selected for the prestigious Toll Fellowship Program to be held in Lexington, KY Sept. 12-17, 2009. Read more.
05/27/09 Supreme Court asks Joint Committee on Employment Relations to forego judicial pay raises
In recognition of the state’s financial situation, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has requested the Office of State Employment Relations to recommend to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Employment Relations a modification to the 2007-09 Compensation Plan to remove a 2-percent salary increase previously approved for justices and state court judges. Read more.
05/21/09 Supreme Court accepts four new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept four new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
05/18/09 Webster University honors Justice Ann Walsh Bradley
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley received an "Outstanding Alumni Award" from Webster University's College of Arts & Sciences during commencement ceremonies in Saint Louis on May 9. Read more.
05/12/09 Chief Justice Abrahamson honored for promoting independent judiciary
Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson has won the Harry L. Carrico Award for Judicial Innovation in recognition of her efforts to increase public understanding of the importance of an independent judiciary. Read more.
05/11/09 Wisconsin State Law Library launches new Web site
The Wisconsin State Law Library today launched its new Web site, including features that make it even easier to locate Wisconsin legal resources.   Popular legal topics pages such as divorce and foreclosure let people quickly find the law, relevant articles and books, and the forms they need. For the first time, legal resources from every Wisconsin county will be conveniently available in one location. Read more.
05/04/09 Court interpreter training planned for Milwaukee
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for interpreter training to be held in Milwaukee on June 6-7 at the UW-Milwaukee. Read more.
04/27/09 Supreme Court accepts five new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept five new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
03/25/09 Supreme Court accepts three new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept three new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals' opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
03/17/09 Chief Justice addresses Joint Committee on Finance
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson today addressed the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance. The text of the Chief Justice's remarks is available here Adobe PDF. Read more.
03/02/09 Supreme Court accepts six new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept six new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, some of the legal questions involved, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
01/20/09 Supreme Court accepts two new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept two new cases. The Court also acted to deny review in a number of cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin are listed below. Court of Appeals’ opinions/certification memos available online for the newly accepted cases are hyperlinked. Read more.
01/16/09 Two rules petitions not to be heard April 21
The Wisconsin Supreme Court decided Wednesday not to proceed with hearings on two rules petitions concerning campaign contributions and recusals. Read more.
01/15/09 Court to discuss committee's redistricting reports, public comment
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will meet in open administrative conferences on Jan. 22 and Feb. 20 to discuss a committee’s findings and public comment regarding court procedures that could be used if it is asked to settle a dispute over legislative redistricting in Wisconsin. A copy of the order setting the conferences can be found here. Read more.
01/14/09 Wisconsin court system responds to mortgage foreclosure crisis
Reflecting a national trend, the number of mortgage foreclosure filings in Wisconsin jumped 21 percent, from 2007 to 2008, figures compiled by the Director of State Courts Office show. Read more.