Filed Under: Government Relations
Towns Can Still Enforce Some Shoreland Frontage Requirements
In State of Wisconsin ex rel. Michael Anderson v. Town of Newbold, 2018AP547 (Oct. 29, 2019), the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District III, recently upheld a minimum-shoreland-frontage requirement adopted under a town’s subdivision authority, even though an identical requirement could not be validly adopted within the town’s zoning authority. Michael Anderson owns a lot with […]
Filed Under: Government Relations
Court of Appeals, District II, Upholds Town’s Denial of CUP for Cell Tower
In Eco-Site LLC et. al. v. Town of Cedarburg, 2019 WI App 42, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II affirmed the Town of Cedarburg’s authority to deny Eco-Site LLC’s conditional use permit application to build a cell tower. After a full discussion of the information and issues, the Town Board denied Eco-Site’s application on […]
Filed Under: Appellate Law Government Relations Municipal Law
Seventh Circuit Reaffirms Stringent Standards for Municipal Liability in Civil Rights Actions
Since the United States Supreme Court’s seminal decision in Monell v. New York Department of Social Services, a municipality can be only found liable for civil rights claims brought under 42 U.S.C § 1983 if a plaintiff can show that a policy or custom of the municipality caused the violation of his or her constitutional […]
Filed Under: Appellate Law Government Relations
Noncompliance with Notice-of-Claim Statute Is Affirmative Defense, Must Be Pleaded
Wis. Stat. § 893.80(1d) requires a potential claimant to provide notice, including “an itemized statement of the relief sought,” to a government entity within 120 days of the event giving rise to a potential suit. In Maple Grove Country Club Inc. v. Maple Grove Estates Sanitary District, 2019 WI 43, the Wisconsin Supreme Court recently held […]
Filed Under: Appellate Law Government Relations
State Can Raise New Argument in Civil Forfeiture Action, Even After Dismissing Criminal Charges
Some civil and criminal cases rely on indistinguishable facts. However, a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision – Wisconsin v. Scott, et. al., 2017AP1345 – demonstrated that the parties need not make indistinguishable arguments in each case. In 2016, police seized drugs, money and vehicles pursuant to a search warrant for the Scotts’ property. However, it […]
Filed Under: Government Relations
Plain Language in Oshkosh Special Events Ordinance Prevails
The Village of Lake Delton is not liable for damages to five houses and nine lots caused by massive flooding in June 2008, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals ruled Thursday. The village's attorney, Ted Waskowski is a partner with Stafford Rosenbaum.
Filed Under: Appellate Law Government Relations
Wisconsin’s Property Tax Assessment Statutes Challenge to be Decided by the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Susan Allen, a senior associate in Stafford Rosenbaum's Milwaukee office was recently named by Milwaukee Magazine as a Leading Litigation Lawyer in 2014.
Filed Under: Appellate Law Government Relations
Wisconsin Supreme Court to Determine Scope of Open Meetings Law in School District Dispute
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP welcomes Attorney John Greene to the firm’s Madison office where his practice focuses on environmental law. John Greene’s practice focuses on environmental law. Prior to joining Stafford, John served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Filed Under: Government Relations
Governor Walker Signs Riparian Rights and Wetlands Bill into Law
On April 26, 2016, Governor Scott Walker signed Senate Bill 459 into law. Now known as 2015 Act 387 (the “Act”), the proposal will clarify riparian landowners’ rights in a number of areas, including boathouse maintenance and repair, boat shelter construction, seawall installation and replacement, wetland applications, and sensitive area designations. The questions surrounding these […]
Filed Under: Government Relations Municipal Law
Proposed Wisconsin Budget Provision Potentially Impacts Municipalities
Gerald Mowris has been reappointed to the Wisconsin State Bar's Legislative Oversight Committee for a two-year term. The Legislative Oversight Committee oversees the State Bar's Government Relations program, including its conflict resolution process for section lobbying.
Filed Under: Government Relations
Property Assessment Consolidation Proposal Raises Questions From Local Governments
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP is proud to announce the launch of the firm’s topical blog, “The Well Planned Estate: A Look at Wills, Trusts and Probate.” This will be the fifth legal blog the firm publishes; other blog topics include: municipal law, environmental law, employment and labor law, franchise and distribution law. “The Well Planned Estate’s” first post looks at estate planning for digital assets ranging from online banking accounts to social media sites.
Filed Under: Government Relations
Significant Changes to State’s Environment, Natural Resources Programs Proposed in Governor’s Budget
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP recently announced that Christopher B. Hughes has been re-elected chair of the firm's Board of Directors and Managing Partner of the law firm. Mr. Hughes represents businesses, municipalities and individuals relating to real estate, business, land use, municipal and contractual matters
