Rick Esenberg

Democrats Think Referendum Success Was A Preview of November Win

But conservatives say funding referendum's failure was a result of out-of-state spending.

Ballot Questions on Election Administration Too Vague, Officials Say

Wisconsin residents will vote Tuesday on two proposed constitutional amendments.

State Supreme Court Will Reconsider Absentee Drop Boxes

Prior's court's conservative majority had banned their use in Wisconsin.

Court’s Redistricting Experts Under Fire

At least from Republicans. Who are the experts and should they be trusted?

Wisconsin Supreme Court Consultants Rule Out Republican-Drawn Maps

In first public release, court consultants say GOP maps "don't deserve further consideration."

Will Releases Statement on Redistricting Ruling

WILL Statement on Wisconsin Supreme Court’s School Choice Decision

Justices Favoring New Legislative Maps Face Tough Questions

Must entire state be redistricted? And who should court ask to draw the maps?

How Will Supreme Court Rule On Gerrymandering Lawsuit?

And what exactly does contiguity mean when it comes to legislative maps?

Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Arguments In Gerrymandering Case

Case, before court’s now-liberal majority, could overturn Republicans’ entrenched advantage.

Minocqua Brewery Super PAC Sues to End Voucher Schools

Suit charges they violate state Constitution and are destroying public education.

Conservatives Push To Protect Walker-Era Reforms

Seeking constitutional amendments to enshrine Act 10, right-to-work, school choice laws.

Senators Baldwin and Johnson Renew Bipartisan Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission

The commission will work to fill unfilled U.S. Attorney and federal judgeship positions

WILL Hires New Communications Director

Is Democracy Actually On the Ballot?

Republicans have promised numerous changes to how elections are run, while Michels claims they'll never lose another election if he wins.

WILL Appeals Judge’s Dismissal of Biden Student Debt Plan Lawsuit

WILL president pledges to fight case the whole way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judges Writing New Election Rules

Partisan impasse between governor and Legislature increasingly leaves courts deciding rules.

Four Disabled Voters Sue State in Federal Court

WI Supreme Court ruling on absentee voting bars them from casting ballots, suit says.

State Supreme Court Affirms Local Public Health Powers

Court rules that local public health officials can unilaterally issue, enforce health orders.

Oconomowoc Schools Drop Legal Threat Aimed At Local Parent After WILL Response

After sending cease-and-desist letter the school district now considers the matter “closed”

Could Sleepy State Office Nix Wisconsin’s Pick for President?

GOP candidate for Secretary of State says job gives veto power over presidential election.

Dropbox Ruling Could Disenfranchise Disabled Voters

State Supreme Court hearing suit after a circuit court ruling state law requires voters to physically return absentee ballots.

Rick Esenberg’s Brutal Views On Disabled People

WILL leader pushes state high court to prevent severely disabled from voting.

State Supreme Court Hears Dropbox Lawsuit

Lawsuit brought by conservative law firm could affect absentee voting practices.

U.S. Supreme Court Reverses WI Supreme Court, Gov. Evers’ Maps Unconstitutional

Majority decision says state court “committed legal error” in adopting maps

WILL Joins Redistricting Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

Governor Evers’ maps are racially gerrymandered, violating federal Constitution

WILL Urges Governor Evers to Abandon Race Discrimination in New Housing Assistance Program

State program to allocate housing grants based on race

The American Right’s Scary Views

The future of conservative thought after Trump looks dark.

WILL Sues Over Federal Vaccine Mandate

OSHA requiring COVID-19 vaccination at companies with 100 or more employees.

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty president to go “On the Issues,” Oct. 7

Critical Race Theory, Spending Fuel Mequon-Thiensville School Board Recall

Four board members face recall elections.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes WILL Redistricting Case

WILL filed original action on behalf of four Wisconsin voters living in malapportioned districts

State High Court Wary of Doing Redistricting

Conservative judges have made best arguments against acceding to Republicans’ wishes.

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to Take Jurisdiction of Redistricting

Original action, on behalf of four voters, requests judicial apportionment plan

What Have Conservative-Backed Lawsuits Cost Taxpayers?

Non-profit law firm WILL has sued over ballot drop boxes, public health orders and building codes.

WILL to ACLU of Wisconsin: Schools Not Required to Teach Critical Race Theory

WILL responds to ACLU letter to Wisconsin schools

Wisconsin Supreme Court Declares Racine School Closure Order Invalid

Racine health officer issued school closure order in November 2020

WILL Sues City of Madison for Unconstitutional Race Discrimination

Madison’s Police Civilian Oversight Board imposes illegal racial quotas

WILL Sues Wisconsin Elections Commission Challenging Legal Status of Ballot Drop Boxes

State law provides just two methods for casting an absentee ballot

State High Court Blocks School Closures

Local health departments can’t order closures, 4-3 Supreme Court decision rules.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Dane County School Closure Order

WILL filed original action when Dane County health department tried to close all schools

Federal Appeals Court Bars Biden Administration From Using Race to Prioritize COVID Restaurant Relief

WILL challenged federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund on behalf of Tennessee restaurant owner

WILL to Biden Education Department: Critical Race Theory is Wrong for Public Schools

WILL weighs in on federal Department of Education priority to advance equity in American History and Civics

State Supreme Court Rejects Redistricting Rule Change

GOP backed lawsuit wanted all redistricting legal challenges to be heard by supreme court.

WILL Sues Biden Administration for Race, Sex Discrimination in Allocation of COVID Relief Funds for Restaurants

WILL represents Tennessee restaurant owner who would be eligible for funds, but for his race and sex

Tucker Carlson, Wisconsinites Charge Racism Against White Farmers

Conservative group WILL sues federal government for funding Black farmers.

WILL Sues Biden Administration for Race Discrimination in Farmer Loan Forgiveness Program

Five plaintiffs from four states would be eligible for federal program, but for their race

John McAdams, Professor That Brought Marquette to Supreme Court, Dies At 75

The Marquette professor sued the university for violation of his First Amendment rights, and won.

WILL’s Harvard Lawyers Fail at Voter Purge

Supreme Court decision strikes down voter suppression effort, rejects conservative group's weak argument.

WILL President Rick Esenberg on Supreme Court Decision in Zignego v. WEC

WILL sued WEC in 2019 after state agency refused to clean up voter rolls.

Wisconsin Supreme Court: Gov. Evers’ Multiple Emergency Declarations Violate Law

Wisconsin’s Emergency Powers Laws in Urgent Need of Reform

New study examines Wisconsin’s emergency powers laws, provides recommendations for reform

Why the War on Masks? Gerrymandering

Republicans legislators with safe seats needn’t worry about voter blowback.

Will State Supreme Court Draw New Legislative Boundaries?

Chief Justice is leery of the court expanding its role in redistricting. Conservatives want it to be the final arbiter of new district maps.

WILL Warns City of Madison of Lawsuit Over Unconstitutional Racial Discrimination

Notice of Claim asserts racial quotas violate the law, Constitution

WILL Files Motion for Contempt After City of Racine Ignores Supreme Court Order

Racine Public Health Administrator instructs schools to remain closed despite injunction

Wisconsin Supreme Court Blocks Racine School Closure Order, Grants WILL Original Action

Case held in abeyance while Court considers Dane County school closure order

WILL Files Original Action in WI Supreme Court to Halt Latest Dane County Gathering Ban, Restrictions on Businesses

Dane County and the City of Madison have unlawfully delegated law-making power to the health department

State High Court to Review School Shutdown

WILL and school choice group sue to block Racine order closing all schools.

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to Halt Racine School Closure Order

The Court already issued an injunction putting similar order on hold in Dane County case

Right-Wing vs Left-Wing Lawyers

WILL has more funding, more staff, more Harvard. Can a new liberal law group compete?

WILL Hires Kyle Koenen to be Policy Director Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

WILL Amicus: Gov. Evers’s Emergency Declarations Threaten Separation of Powers

WILL files amicus in original action before Wisconsin Supreme Court

WILL Asks Judge to Decide on Merits in Lawsuit Challenging Gov. Evers’s Emergency Declarations

Critical questions remain before the court on emergency powers

How Republicans Screwed Themselves

Opposition to mask mandate by GOP is bad law and very bad politics.

WILL Pledges Appeal in Lawsuit Challenging Governor Evers’s Emergency Declarations

Judge denies WILL’s motion for injunction

High Court Urged to Okay 5% Error Rate in Voter Purge

Conservative group WILL argues in favor of wrongly striking 6,500 people from state voter rolls.

Court to Rule on Purging 130,000 from Voter Rolls

Wisconsin Supreme Court hearing two challenges affecting November election.

Is Robin Vos Scared of Voters?

Republican legislators condemn Evers' mask mandate, but won’t override it as the law allows. Why?

WILL Files Motion for Immediate Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Governor Evers’s Emergency Declaration

Motion for immediate relief comes after Governor Evers extends emergency

Courts To Decide Governors’ Emergency Powers

Republicans oppose Evers’ mask mandate, want courts to restrict longtime power of governors.

Governor Evers Violates State Law Again with Third COVID Emergency Declaration

WILL sued Governor Evers in Polk County in August over second COVID emergency

Wisconsin Supreme Court Agrees to Hear WILL Challenge to Dane County School Closure Order

Court issues temporary injunction allowing schools to open immediately

WILL Judge Shops To Kill Mask Mandate

Conservative group files suit in Polk County, where both judges were appointed by Scott Walker.

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to Invalidate Dane County School Closure Order

Original action on behalf of affected parents, private schools, and school associations

Lawsuit Challenges Evers Mask Mandate

Conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty challenges governor's emergency health order.

WILL Sues Governor Evers Over Second COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Lawsuit filed in Polk County challenges Governor Evers’s power grab.

Evers Says No Statewide School Re-Opening Plan

School districts will be responsible for decisions about re-opening.

WILL Urges Madison West High School to Reconsider Racially Segregated Group Discussions

Madison West High School students were separated by race for group discussions

Wisconsin Supreme Court: Three of Governor Evers’ Budget Vetoes Unconstitutional

Court strikes down 3 of 4 budget vetoes in WILL original action

U.S. Supreme Court Orders Seventh Circuit to Reconsider Decision in WILL Religious Liberty Case

Case against DPI will be reassessed in light of Espinoza v. Montana

U.S. Supreme Court Decision a Win for Families, School Choice

WILL and Scott Walker submitted amicus in key school choice case

EPA Adopts WILL Recommendation, Majority of Sheboygan County Attains National Air Quality Standards

EPA limits non-attainment zone in the county

Voter Purge Push Threatens 129,000 Names

State Supreme Court will consider approach critics decry as voter suppression.

WILL Wants WI Supreme Court to Take Redistricting Cases First

Conservative group wants state supreme court to handle redistricting disputes.

Will High Court Limit Evers’ Veto Power?

Supreme Court hears arguments from conservatives targeting governor’s power.

Did High Court Ignore Their Rules on Election Case?

An attorney says the court didn't follow their normal rules for accepting briefs.

WILL Asks Supreme Court to Review WEC Lawsuit

Wisconsin deserves clean elections in 2020

WILL Sues Madison Schools for Violating Parental Rights

District refuses to alter gender identity policies

The Republicans’ Gerrymander Scheme

The polls, the data, the legalities. How Robin Vos hopes to triumph.

Stakes High in Voter Purge Battle

Would remove 17% of Milwaukee County voters, but less than 1% of Waukesha County voters.

Why a Voter Purge Is So Critical

The goal is to reelect Trump. Even if that means purging some Republican voters, too.

Judge Holds Election Commissioners in Contempt

Will be fined $250 per day until they approve purge 209,000 names from voting list.

Judge Asked to Hold State in Contempt

Conservative group wants 200,000 names purged from voting list, but Elections Commission awaits higher court rulings.

WILL Asks Court to Hold Wisconsin Elections Commission in Contempt

State elections agency refuses to comply with court order.

Lawsuit Demands State Purge Voter Rolls

Conservative group WILL sues and assails Elections Commission.

WILL Sues Wisconsin Election Commission

Agency ignored state law, allowing voter registrations at old addresses to remain active.

High Court Will Review Evers Veto Power

State Supreme accepts legal challenge from conservative group of 90-year-old partial veto power.

Former WILL attorney launches open government law firm

"WILL is pleased to welcome the Wisconsin Transparency Project to the scene."

WILL Wins Campus Free Speech Victory

NWTC's Public Assembly Policy deemed "unconstitutional."

WILL Suggests Improvements to UW Free Speech Policy

Submits public comment to better balance, safeguard First Amendment rights of all

The Future of Wisconsin Gerrymandering

An inexplicable U.S. Supreme Court decision leaves door open for GOP mischief.

Suit to Limit Evers Veto Power Criticized

A “power grab” or trying to “get the constitution right”?

WILL Sues Evers at Wisconsin Supreme Court Over Budget Vetoes

Original action asks Supreme Court to rein in, limit partial vetoes

Republicans Deny New Gerrymander Plan

Not planning to bypass governor, Fitzgerald says, but he and Vos won’t take follow-up questions.

Non-denial Means Wisconsin Should be Worried

Speaker and Majority Leader careful not to actually deny their desire to rig 2021 map-drawing

GOP Could Bypass Evers, Gerrymander Again

Joint Resolution bill could prevent governor veto, gain second decade of gerrymandering.

New Hire: WILL adds former Deputy Solicitor General

Litigation team grows to meet heightened challenges

WILL Stands Up For Free Speech, Religious Liberty of Appleton School Board Member

Puts Appleton School Board on notice for potential First Amendment violations

The New Conservative Heavyweight

Wisconsin Institute of Law & Liberty is on the rise, pushing a right-wing agenda.

WILL is Moving Offices!

Enters a new phase of growth with bigger office space in Milwaukee

WILL Sues City of Eau Claire for Using Illegal TIF to Raise Tax Revenue

City claims it needs TIF district for a building that’s already built, misuses tax dollars along the way

Trump Discusses WILL Lawsuit at White House

Free speech executive order prominently features WILL

Governor Evers Agrees With WILL on Legal Status of Wedding Barns

Evers administration pledges to interpret law as previously practiced

Evers Admin. Prolongs Uncertainty for Wedding Barn Owners

Evers, Kaul provide no clarity on legality of wedding barns

1 Year Later: Religious-themed Valentines STILL Cannot Be Freely Distributed at Tech College

WILL produces new video showing Polly innocently handing out Valentines, files for summary judgment

WILL Announces New Hires, Staff Promotions

Adds staff to face new challenges

Will Judge Peterson Allow Voting Restrictions?

Since lame duck law reinstates provisions he previously struck down, that seems unlikely.

WILL Asks Supreme Court to Rule War Memorial Cross Constitutional

Amicus argues cross does not violate the Establishment Clause.

Liberals All Wrong on Early Voting Law

Actually Republicans have expanded early voting.

Trump Administration Seeks to Cancel Misguided Obama-era School Discipline Policy

WILL work has championed rescinding the illegal, harmful policy

State Facing Endless Lawsuits?

Suits by governor, legislature, citizens coming on lame duck laws, gerrymandering.

How Walker Transformed Wisconsin’s Courts

One-third of all judges in state appointed by Republican governor.

WILL disagrees with legal analysis, prepared to fight for economic freedom

WILL disagrees with legal analysis, prepared to fight for economic freedom

Giampietro Nomination Deserves Full Hearing

Sen. Baldwin should reconsider her opposition to his judicial nomination.

The Fight Against Gerrymandering

Advocates hope their Supreme Court case -- now being rewritten -- will succeed.

Is John McAdams a Bully?

MU professor calls it free speech. But faculty seeks new policy against cyberbullying.

Legislation Moved Quickly Under Walker

Much quicker passage, less public input, in first legislative session under Walker, analysis finds.

WILL Hires Lucas Vebber as Deputy Counsel

Before joining WILL, Lucas served as General Counsel and Director of Environmental and Energy Policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

The Rise of Federalist Society Judges

Nationally and in Wisconsin they have become activists and super legislators.

U.S. Supreme Court Nears Decision on Wisconsin Redistricting Case

Ruling could impact the nation’s elections and democracy for decades.

A State MPS Reform Proposal. Again

Scott Walker joins a list of governors and others who’ve proposed reforms.

Supreme Court Rules Congress Can’t Require States to Prohibit Sports Betting

“This is a victory for competitive federalism,” said Rick Esenberg, President and General Counsel of WILL

How John McAdams Burned His Bridges

Marquette professor’s suspension comes after decades of his attacks on MU. Part 2 of a series.

Wisconsin Free Market Groups: Senate Was Right to Reject Kimberly- Clark Bailout

The death of this “pay-to-stay” proposal is a victory for free market principles.

Marquette vs. John McAdams

Fired conservative professor only had to apologize. Instead he’s going to court.

Will U.S. Supremes Rule on State Districts?

March 28 oral arguments may signal ruling on Wisconsin’s gerrymandered districts.

WILL Sues Rep. Brostoff in E-mail Dispute

Brostoff is refusing to turn over electronic records, instead insisting on printing them and charging unnecessary fees.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes WILL Case Challenging Wisconsin’s Law Prohibiting Cemeteries from Operating Funeral Homes

The law does nothing more than protect funeral directors from competition.

CJ Szafir Promoted to Executive Vice President

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty announced the promotion of CJ Szafir to Executive Vice President.

WILL Sues State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers

The lawsuit claims that Evers and DPI are refusing to follow the newly enacted REINS Act.

WILL Files Petition for Review With The Wisconsin Supreme Court In Professor McAdams’ Case Against Marquette

WILL believes the court should hear the case now because there is no binding precedent on the question of how far academic freedom extends.

Wisconsin’s Largest Legal and Policy Center Continues to Grow

Adds new staff to growing policy team

New Report Shows Impact of Current Accountability Measures in Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

Report challenges voucher program critics’ opposition that schools are “unaccountable”

Will Court Ruling Help Rich Homeowners?

Supreme says homeowners can refuse home inspection with no penalty.

A Conservative Defends UW Academic Freedom

Curtailing “whiteness” course isn’t the answer, more diversity in offerings at UW is.

Walker’s Bizarre Choice for High Court

From a state with countless judges, he picks a crackpot lawyer named Daniel Kelly.

John McAdams Marches On

Was conservative Marquette prof “silenced” for his opinions? The controversy rages on.

Media Used By Right Against Kloppenburg

Journal Sentinel attacks Kloppenburg on unproven issue raised by right-wing.

How Republicans Worked to End Public Records

Planning began last September and would have ended open records for all local governments as well.

Brad Schimel says records, meetings law should not be weakened

Walker Action Restricts Public Records

Administration claims records of staff's preliminary analysis should be withheld. Critics argue that's illegal and makes governor less transparent than legislators.

How Political Money Corrupts

A columnist says goodbye with thoughts about our money-driven political system and what can be done about it.

Walker Has Access to Unlimited Donations

By not declaring for presidency he can grab unlimited donations to his "ideas" committee and a separate, super PAC.

Will Voters End Era of “Shirley’s Court”?

Shirley Abrahamson has been chief justice for 19 years, but controversial referendum question could end her reign.

Anti-Streetcar Petition Drive Fails

Streetcar opponents failed to get enough signatures in 60 days; now say they’ll relaunch drive in May.

City Attorney Says Streetcar Petitions Might be Moot

Legal opinion says Common Council approval of streetcar in July 2011 might make petition drive demanding a referendum irrelevant.

The Story Behind the Streetcar Referendum

Conservatives from outside Milwaukee hope to join forces with black city residents to oppose the streetcar.

Are John Doe Subjects Still Coordinating?

Scott Walker says they did nothing wrong. Will he coordinate with "independent" groups in upcoming campaign?

Republican Spat Exposes Party’s Divisions

Fight between Sensenbrenner and Ron Johnson over Obamacare is fascinating, revealing.

The Three Mansions of Michael White

The Rite-Hite CEO is a trustee of the River Hills village board. But he also owns homes in Milwaukee and Arizona.

Why Kimberly Walker Was Fired

The county board had ample grounds for dismissing the Corporation Counsel.

Don’t Mess with the Press

The state budget bill has huge consequences, but the media is most concerned about its impact on... the media.

The Latest Journal Sentinel Purge

Some big names could be leaving the ever-shrinking newspaper.

Museum’s Wish List

"Many permanent exhibits will be upgraded."