March 15, 2023 Written and compiled by The Hamilton Consulting Group

Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Issues 2023 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation

Madison – The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) today released its 2023 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation (https://www.wisciviljusticecouncil.org/court-watch/judicial-evaluation/), which reviews the most important decisions issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court that affect the Wisconsin business community. The 2023 Judicial Evaluation covers the 2019-20, 2020-21, and 2021-22 terms of the court. The Judicial Evaluation scores the justices on the percentage of reviewed cases in which their positions aligned with WCJC’s positions. Based on a comprehensive review of Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions since 2009, Justice Rebecca Bradley scored the highest at 82 percent. Chief Justice Annette Ziegler scored 81 percent. Justice Patience Roggensack scored 80 percent. New to the court in 2019, Justice Brian Hagedorn scored 67 percent. New to the court in 2020, Justice Jill Karofsky scored 55 percent. Justice Rebecca Dallet scored 56 percent and Justice Ann Walsh Bradley scored 33 percent. Former Justice Daniel Kelly scored 76 percent.

“The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council is proud to present the 2023 Guide to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Judicial Evaluation,” said Bill G. Smith, WCJC President and Wisconsin State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “Every year, the court issues decisions that affect Wisconsin citizens and every large and small business, insurer, and health care provider.” The Judicial Evaluation provides summaries of selected cases and indicates how each justice voted. Its purpose is to educate WCJC’s members, partners, and the public about the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has the ultimate authority to interpret or strike down state laws and regulations. This is the fifth edition of the Judicial Evaluation issued by WCJC since 2011, covering a total of 14 terms of the court.

“The Judicial Evaluation is an essential review of the court and how its decisions impact the cost of doing business in Wisconsin,” said Scott Manley, WCJC Vice President and Executive Vice President of Government Relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce. “Wisconsin business leaders should read this valuable document and recognize how the judicial branch affects them and their employees.”   The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council is a broad coalition of 17 organizations interested in civil liability issues. WCJC’s mission is to achieve fairness and equity in Wisconsin’s civil justice system, with the ultimate goal of making Wisconsin a better place to work and live. For more information about WCJC, please visit: https://www.wisciviljusticecouncil.org/.

Please contact R.J. Pirlot or Adam Jordahl if you have any questions on these or other civil justice matters. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others who may benefit from the information it contains.

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