Mar

3

Applicants Named for Eastern and Western District Positions

Posted by: Michael M. O'Hear | March 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

As Dean Kearney observed in an earlier post, I am chairing the Federal Nominating Commission that is reviewing applications for the United States Attorney post in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  Dean Ken Davis of Wisconsin is chairing a counterpart commission that is reviewing applications for a federal judgeship in the Western District.  Both sets [...]

Feb

19

Okay, Judge, You Hit Your Number or Die in This Room*

Posted by: Richard M. Esenberg | February 19, 2009 | 2 Comments

Much of the attention following yesterday’s decision in Siefert v. Alexander focuses upon the invalidation of prohibitions against judges or judicial candidates belonging to political parties and endorsing partisan candidates for office. That part of Judge Crabb’s decision seems to me, given the balance between regulatory interests and the protection of speech struck by the United States [...]

Feb

14

Federal Nominating Commission: Now Accepting Applications

Posted by: Michael M. O'Hear | February 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment

As Dean Kearney noted in an earlier post, I am serving as chair of the Federal Nominating Commission for the United States Attorney position in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  The Commission completed its first item of business this past week by approving the questionnaire to be used by applicants.  The forms and instructions are [...]

Jan

27

The Holiday Formerly Known as Good Friday

Posted by: Richard M. Esenberg | January 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation has sent a letter of complaint regarding the  recognition of Good Friday as a campus holiday by fifteen of the state’s sixteen technical colleges, apparently pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with instructional staff. The FFRF argues that closing on Good Friday (not just calling the off day “Good Friday’) [...]

Dec

3

Another SCR Bites the Dust?

Posted by: Daniel Suhr | December 3, 2008 | 8 Comments

In Duwe v. Alexander, prominent First Amendment attorney James Bopp won a federal district court decision (PDF) striking down SCR 60.06(3)(b), part of the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Ethics. Bopp convinced Judge Shabaz that the Code’s section prohibiting judges from making “pledges, promises, or commitments” interfered with their free speech rights under Republican Party of [...]

Dec

3

Biskupic Stepping Down

Posted by: Michael M. O'Hear | December 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Our graduate and adjunct faculty member Steven Biskupic announced yesterday that he is stepping down from his post as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, effective January 9.  Steve made us proud over his six years of distinguished service in this important position, winning convictions in many high-profile public corruption cases.  It is customary for [...]

Oct

1

Of Speeches and Sermons

Posted by: Richard M. Esenberg | October 1, 2008 | 1 Comment

Last week saw another round in the ongoing legal battle between the University of Wisconsin and the Madison campus’ Roman Catholic Foundation. In Roman Catholic Foundation v. Regents, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 72980 (W.D. Wis., September 24, 2008), the court addressed the University’s refusal to allow segregated fees (that portion of a student’s tuition reserved [...]

Sep

17

The Door’s Open, But the Ride It Ain’t Free

Posted by: Richard M. Esenberg | September 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

The Open Door Church has sued the Sun Prairie (Wis.) Area School District in federal court in Madison. The complaint alleges that the district has adopted a broad policy permitting community groups to use the district’s facilities. However, the district seems to have adopted a policy of permitting waiver of rental charges for all potential users, except [...]