Tag: Civil Justice

Wisconsin Businesses Support AB 19/SB 13, Personal Injury Trusts

Posted on by Hamilton

The Wisconsin business community supports AB 19/SB 13, providing transparency in personal injury trusts. The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council respectfully requests that the Senate schedule and pass the bill.

This bill does NOT negatively affect veterans: To the contrary, by protecting limited funds available to trusts and the limited resources of solvent Wisconsin businesses, AB 19/SB 13 will help ensure that veterans and other legitimate victims receive fair compensation in the future. Continue reading “Wisconsin Businesses Support AB 19/SB 13, Personal Injury Trusts” →

Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Receives Outstanding Organization Award

Posted on by Hamilton

The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council has gained national recognition for its role in passing sweeping legal reforms in 2011 and its continued commitment to combating lawsuit abuse.

Members of WCJC and WMC traveled to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 14th Annual Legal Reform Summit in Washington, D.C. to accept the award. Continue reading “Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Receives Outstanding Organization Award” →

Wisconsin Reforms Draw National Attention

Posted on by Hamilton

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). The U.S. Chamber applauds AB 27 as “Nation’s Strongest Outside Counsel Sunshine Law,” while the American Tort Reform Association proclaimed to its national audience that the “New Law Will Help Make Wisconsin More Attractive to Employers.” Continue reading “Wisconsin Reforms Draw National Attention” →

WCJC Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Passing Pro-Business, Transparency Legislation

Posted on by Hamilton

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Wisconsin Senate passed Assembly Bill 27, which provides transparency when the State of Wisconsin hires private plaintiff attorneys’ on a contingency fee basis. The bill passed on a bipartisan basis, 23-10, and will be sent to Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. Continue reading “WCJC Applauds Wisconsin Senate for Passing Pro-Business, Transparency Legislation” →

Busy Fall Floor Session Anticipated

Posted on by Hamilton

The first portion of the 2013-14 legislative session was very busy for the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC). Numerous bills supported by WCJC received public hearings, passed the Assembly and now await action in the Senate. We fully expect the Senate to take up an pass several WCJC supported bills when the Legislature reconvenes this fall. Continue reading “Busy Fall Floor Session Anticipated” →

WCJC Wins 2013 Outstanding Organization Award

Posted on by Hamilton

In recognition for its role in passing sweeping legal reform in 2011 and its continued commitment to combating lawsuit abuse, WCJC has been selected as the recipient of the 2013 U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform Outstanding Organization Award.

“This award acknowledges WCJC’s work with state lawmakers and the Walker administration in enacting legislation to promote business and job growth in Wisconsin,” said Bill G. Smith, WCJC President and State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

WCJC’s Executive Director, Robert Fassbender, will accept the award on behalf of WCJC’s 18 member board and litigation reform partners on October 23 at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 14th Annual Legal Reform Summit in Washington, D.C.

To continue WCJC’s mission of promoting fairness and equity in Wisconsin’s civil justice system it will take substantial resources. Please consider making a contribution to the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, Inc.



Supreme Court Decides Insurance Company Is Not Liable for Physical Assault that Occurred at Underage Drinking Party

Posted on by Hamilton

The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday, July 12, 2013 held that an insurance company had no duty to defend and indemnify an owner of property who hosted an underage drinking party because there was no “accident” and therefore no “occurrence” under the insurance policy. The case is Schinner v. Gundrum, 2013 WI 73. Continue reading “Supreme Court Decides Insurance Company Is Not Liable for Physical Assault that Occurred at Underage Drinking Party” →

Civil Justice Reforms Move Forward

Posted on by Hamilton

Now that it has completed work on the 2013-15 budget bill, the Wisconsin Legislature will take a summer recess and will reconvene in September. Legislative committees will continue to hold public hearings and vote on individual bills.

For the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC), the first portion of the 2013-14 legislative session has been very active and successful. Numerous bills supported by WCJC have received public hearings, passed the Assembly and await action in the Senate. We fully expect the Senate to pass these bills when the Legislature reconvenes in the fall.

Below is an update of bills of interest to WCJC. For more information on these bills, please visit WCJC’s website. Also, please contact Andy Cook or Bob Fassbender with any questions. Continue reading “Civil Justice Reforms Move Forward” →

Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions

Posted on 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. Continue reading “Legislature Adopts Budget Provision Retroactively Applying Lead Paint Provisions” →

Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote

Posted on 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 Wisconsin Civil Justice Council and other supporters, but paramount is the elimination of the punitive double damages mandate. Continue reading “Lemon Law Reform Passes Assembly in Bi-Partisan Vote” →