Browse recent court opinions from the Wisconsin Supreme Court. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis of 30 cases. State Supreme Court.
Sale of Alcohol to Minor Not Proximate Cause of Minor's Death in Car Crash
Estate of Carol Lorbiecki v. Pabst Brewing Company, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Estate of Carol Lorbiecki sued Pabst Brewing Company,...
Wisconsin Supreme Court suspends lawyer's license for 60 days due to misconduct
Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Osman A. Mirza, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 15, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed a lawyer's conduct after ...
Wisconsin Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal of Malpractice Case for Deficient Expert Affidavit
Savannah Wren v. Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Milwaukee, Inc., decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 10, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The plaintiff, Savannah Wren, sued Columbia St...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Minors Can Be Prosecuted for Possessing Child Pornography
This case involves a dispute over whether a defendant, K. R. C., could be charged with a crime for possessing child pornography. The core legal question was whether the state of Wisconsin could prosec...
Court Affirms Suppression of OWI Evidence, Ruling Weaving Within Lane Insufficient for Traffic Stop
This case involved K.R.C., who was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) and operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration (PAC), both as a fifth offense. K.R.C. filed a motion ...
Attorney Guy K. Fish's Law License Suspended for 60 Days Due to Professional Misconduct
This case involves attorney Guy K. Fish, who was found to have engaged in professional misconduct. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against him, alleging multiple violations of ...
Appeals Court Revives Lawsuit Against Debt Collector for Misleading Letters on Time-Barred Debt
This case involves Heather Gudex, who sued Franklin Collection Service, Inc. (FCS) for violating the Wisconsin Consumer Act (WCA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Gudex alleged that...
Juvenile delinquency adjudication for felony does not count as felony conviction for firearm possession charge.
This case involves a dispute over whether a defendant, J. D. B., could be charged with a crime for possessing a firearm after having been adjudicated delinquent for a felony. The Wisconsin Supreme Cou...
Wisconsin Supreme Court finds "no-knock" warrant unjustified, suppresses evidence
This case involves a dispute over a "no-knock" warrant executed by law enforcement. The defendant, Andreas W. Rauch Sharak, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. He argued t...
Court Upholds Conviction for Aggravated Battery and Resisting Arrest
This case involves a man, Michael Joseph Gasper, who was charged with several crimes, including aggravated battery and resisting an officer. The charges stemmed from an incident where Gasper allegedly...
Wisconsin Supreme Court suspends attorney's license for 60 days due to professional misconduct
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Bryant H. Klos alleging professional misconduct. The complaint focused on Klos's handling of a client's personal injury case, s...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Daniel O. Barham's License for 60 Days Due to Professional Misconduct
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Daniel O. Barham for professional misconduct. The OLR alleged that Barham failed to properly represent his clients in multiple ...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney's License for 60 Days Due to Professional Misconduct
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Kevin W. Davidson alleging professional misconduct. The OLR accused Davidson of failing to adequately represent his clients in ...
Court rules against former employee in gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against Wisconsin Elections Commission.
This case involves a former employee, Elizabeth Bothfeld, who sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) alleging she was fired because she is a woman and because she reported sexual harassment. Th...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Unlawful Under Current Law
This case involves a dispute over Wisconsin's absentee ballot drop box regulations. A group called Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission, arguing that the co...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Are Unlawful
This case involves a dispute over Wisconsin's absentee ballot drop box regulations. A group called Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy sued the Wisconsin Elections Commission, arguing that the st...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Michael B. Padden's License for 60 Days Due to Professional Misconduct
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Michael B. Padden alleging professional misconduct. The OLR accused Padden of failing to adequately represent his clients in mu...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Steven D. Johnson's License for 60 Days Due to Professional Misconduct
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Steven D. Johnson, alleging he engaged in professional misconduct. Specifically, Johnson was accused of failing to properly rep...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Reprimands Attorney for Neglect and Lack of Communication in Real Estate Case
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Matthew V. Burkert, alleging professional misconduct. The OLR accused Burkert of failing to adequately represent his clients in...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Peter J. Kovac's License for 60 Days Over Client Fund Mismanagement and Dishonesty
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Peter J. Kovac, alleging he violated professional conduct rules. Specifically, Kovac was accused of failing to properly manage ...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney's License for Negligence in Real Estate Case
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney John P. Buran alleging professional misconduct. The OLR claimed Buran failed to adequately represent his client in a real estat...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Suspends Attorney for Misappropriating Client Funds
The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) filed a complaint against attorney Robert T. Malloy alleging professional misconduct. The OLR accused Malloy of failing to properly handle client funds, specifica...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules Senate Committee Chair's Approval Required for Tax Appeals Commission Appointments
This case involves a dispute between Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and State Senator Howard Marklein regarding the interpretation of a state law concerning the appointment of a member to the Wisconsin...
Court Upholds Arbitrator's Decision Ordering Reinstatement and Back Pay for Former Corrections Employee
This case involves a dispute between the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) and Brian Hayes, a former employee. Hayes was terminated from his position and subsequently filed a grievance. The ar...
Wisconsin Supreme Court: Unreasonable "no-knock" entry invalidates search
State v. Joan L. Stetzer, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 3, 2025, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. The Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed whether a "no-knock" warrant was properly execu...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Ultrasound Informed Consent Law
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin v. Joel Urmanski, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Wisconsin Supreme Court considered whether the state's in...
DOJ Inspector General Can Investigate DA for Misconduct Statewide
Josh Kaul v. Joel Urmanski, as DA for Sheboygan County, WI, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 2, 2025, resulted in a plaintiff win outcome. This case concerns the Wisconsin Department of Just...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Disbars Attorney for Dishonesty and Lack of Cooperation
Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Daniel P. Steffen, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Wisconsin Supreme Court disbarred Daniel P. Steffen for p...
Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds Confession Admissibility
State v. Carl Lee McAdory, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 1, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Wisconsin Supreme Court considered whether the defendant's confession was volunt...
Court Upholds WERC's Interpretation of Public Sector Bargaining Law
Service Employees International Union Healthcare Wisconsin v. Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission, decided by Wisconsin Supreme Court on June 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The S...