Shirley Abrahamson

Act 10 Still Divides the Capitol

Leaders who passed it all gone, state Supreme Court mostly different, as battle renewed.

Wisconsin Voters Again Color State Purple

The state continues to flip back and forth between two parties, two ideologies.

Wisconsin Lawyer Will Lead American Bar Association

Madison-based attorney Michelle Behnke focuses on real estate and business law.

State Republicans Now Pushing Agenda Through Constitutional Amendments

The GOP seeks to lock in policy wins by bypassing courts, governor.

State Supreme Court Emails Show Chaotic First Week of Liberal Control

Documents offer portrait of a court at war with itself.

Who Are State Supreme Court’s ‘Rogue Members’?

Ziegler and conservatives have ignored state Constitution in governance dispute.

New Court Majority Changes Target Chief Justice Ziegler

Is it revenge for conservatives' past overthrow of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson?

Conservative Chief Justice Annette Ziegler Accuses Liberal Majority of Going ‘Rogue’

Claims state Supreme Court liberal majority of holding a 'secret' meeting. Majority says all justices were invited.

Now Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court Fires Administrator

Randy Koschnick, hired in 2017, previously ran for court as conservative candidate.

Do Act 12 Mandates Violate State Constitution?

Legislation enabling Milwaukee sales tax included restrictions that could be challenged.

This Is First Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court In Living Memory

Media says court was liberal 15 years ago. Dead wrong. This is a radical change.

Collegiality a Casualty in Supreme Court Election?

Current court members were active in election, could intensify rancor between judges.

Janet Protasiewicz Defeats Kelly, Flips Supreme Court For Liberals

Her win creates liberal majority on Wisconsin's high court for first time in 15 years.

What Kind of Justice Would Daniel Kelly Be?

He left a clear track record during his four years on state Supreme Court.

How State Supreme Court Races Got So Partisan

Outside groups spent $27,000 on 2003 race. By 2020 that rose to $5 million.

5 Can’t-Miss ‘Doors Open’ Destinations

12th annual Doors Open Milwaukee features 115 buildings this weekend, but we wouldn't skip these five.

Justice Thomas, Recusal And Wisconsin

U.S. and Wisconsin Supreme Court justices need not recuse no matter how flagrant the conflict of interest.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Judge George S. Curry

Big Money Is Taking Over the Courts

Wealthy, right-wing interests are assaulting the integrity of the judiciary.

State Supreme Court Elects Annette Ziegler New Chief Justice

Ziegler replaces Patience Roggensack, who did not seek re-election.

Grogan’s Smear Campaign Against Davis

Her fear mongering ads in Court of Appeals race mislead voters about jurisprudence and the Constitution.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Why Shirley Abrahamson Mattered

For decades one of the leading state supreme court judges in the nation.

Statement on the passing of Shirley Abrahamson

Common Council President Cavalier Johnson December 21, 2020

Shirley Abrahamson Dies at Age 87

She was first woman and longest serving justice on Wisconsin Supreme Court.

AG Kaul Statement on Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson

December 20, 2020

Sheriff Earnell R. Lucas Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Gov. Doyle: Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Gov. Evers Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

State Supreme Court Gets ‘F’ For Ethics

Its recusal rule was written by groups the court is supposed to oversee.

First Lady Evers Announces the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee’s “Women Who Inspire” Video and Final Nominee

Committee celebrates Vanaya Grice, Milwaukee

First Lady Evers Announces the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee’s Next “Women Who Inspire” Nominees

Committee celebrates Ntxhais "Chai" Moua, Stevens Point and Inez “Midge” Montano, Bayfield

State Supreme Court Is Radically Activist

Record shows many examples of grabbing cases before lower courts rule.

First Lady Evers Announces the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee’s Next “Women Who Inspire” Nominee

Committee celebrates Sharlen Moore, Milwaukee

Abrahamson’s Remarkable Legacy Honored

State’s longest serving justice, longest serving chief justice, a trailblazer for women jurists.

Shirley Abrahamson Honored by Historical Society

Evers ordered the society's reading room to be named for the former Chief Justice.

First Lady Evers Announces the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee’s New “Women Who Inspire” Nominee

Committee celebrates Deanna Singh, Brookfield

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Honoring the Career and Legacy of Chief Justice Abrahamson

Wisconsin Historical Society Library Reading Room to be named in honor of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Most District Attorneys Running Unopposed

Just 6 of 72 counties in state have contested races. 33 counties haven’t had contested DA race since 2008.

Loudenslager for Wisconsin Court of Appeals Press Release

First Lady Evers Announces the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Celebration Committee’s New “Women Who Inspire” Nominee

Committee celebrates Dr. Berdie Cowser of Milwaukee

Supreme Decision

Karofsky v. Kelly, stakes are high in state Supreme Court race.

Karofsky Wrong About State Supreme Court

Her campaign charges against the Supreme Court amount to slander.

Opee Awards For Open Records Leaders

Plaudits for Abrahamson, others. A “Nopee” for secretive state Legislature.

Top 10 Political Stories of 2019

Lots of drama in last year of the decade. Which were the biggest stories?

Judge Rachel Graham Announce Campaign to Retain Her Seat on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals

Her campaign has been endorsed by four current and former Supreme Court Justices

Hagedorn Forswears Politics at Swearing-In

New Supreme Court Justice promises he won’t be “pro-Republican.”

Shirley Abrahamson Steps Down

Her legacy saluted by liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg and conservative Diane Sykes.

Suit to Limit Evers Veto Power Criticized

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

Abrahamson Let the Sunshine In

For decades Justice Abrahamson was state Supreme Court’s foremost champion of open records.

The Dark Side of Justice Abrahamson

A great legal scholar, but her style created bitter turmoil on the court.

Mum’s The Word For Justice Abrahamson

For 43 years she said nothing about Legislature’s “illegitimate” sessions. Until now.

High Court Says Governor Rules Over Schools

Conservative majority’s decision says elected state superintendent must get governor’s approval for rule changes.

State Supreme Court Upholds Lame-Duck Laws

The conservative majority not persuaded by arguments that extraordinary session was unconstitutional.

Hagedorn Shows Why Recusal Rule Needed

Unprecedented speech by new Supreme Court Justice thanking Republicans for his victory shows obvious conflict.

Conservatives Argue Against Lame-Duck Lawsuit

Right-leaning members of Wisconsin Supreme Court skeptical in oral arguments on lawsuit challenging lame-duck session before Evers took office.

A New Generation of Political Leaders

GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.

Evangelicals Won Race for Hagedorn

And liberals made it happen by waving a red flag: ads decrying his anti-abortion, anti-gay views.

Supreme Court Race Too Close to Call

Hagedorn claims victory, recount likely.

Neubauer Downplays Her Democratic Ties

Traditional campaign for Supreme Court stressing experience, endorsements by judges.

The Rise of Brian Hagedorn

Supreme Court hopeful's conservative credentials were established early.

The Trashing of Shirley Abrahamson

Why is Brian Hagedorn attacking a legal giant, rather than his opponent in high court race?

Hagedorn Also Running Against Abrahamson

Conservative Supreme Court candidate keeps bashing the liberal justice, who has cancer and is retiring.

Neubauer, Hagedorn Spar Over Political Ties

Candidates for Supreme Court debate over who is more political or biased.

Recusal At Issue in High Court Race

State Supreme Court has one of nation’s weakest rules to prevent ethical conflicts.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Debate To Air Live On WISN 12

WISN 12 Commitment 2019 Coverage Presents Statewide Debate In Partnership With Marquette University Law School

Hagedorn Says He’ll Keep Politics Off Bench

High court candidate has faced weeks of controversy for writings on gays, abortion.

Big Donors Give More to Hagedorn

But his opponent Lisa Neubauer has more cash on hand in race for Supreme Court.

Hagedorn Backs School That Bans Gays

State Supreme Court candidate on board of school that bans gay teachers, students, parents.

Here’s the Top Donors in High Court Race

Lubars and Lynne Uihlein top those for Neubauer, many corporate leaders for Hagedorn.

Only Neubaurer, Hagedorn in Court Race

Two-candidate, left vs. right race for state Supreme Court. Neubauer has raised more money.

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.

Hagedorn Will Run for Supreme Court

Former attorney for Walker wants seat held by retiring justice Shirley Abrahamson

Judge Brian Hagedorn Announces Candidacy for the Wisconsin Supreme Court

"I pledge to you that I will apply the law fairly to everyone."

McAdams Decision Is a Travesty

Cyber-bullying was championed by state Supreme Court, while trashing faculty governance.

High Court Sticks It To Milwaukee

Roggensack’s political decision gives police and fire unions more power over pension fund.

High Court Favors Donors to Justices

Conservative justices decide malpractice case in favor of business groups who gave them $37,000.

High Court Backs Evers Over Walker

Evers can hire his own attorney in legal battle rather than AG Schimel, as Walker insisted.

Abrahamson’s Career from Dominator to Dissenter

Justice Shirley Abrahamson who joined the high court in 1976 and led the court for years, won't be running for another term.

One Wisconsin Now Statements on Justice Abrahamson Announcement

"Justice Abrahamson was so effective at protecting the rights of Wisconsinites against corporate special interest greed..."

Offense At Age Nine a Felony?

State high court approves adult felony charge though offender then said to be eight or nine.

7 Election Takeaways

What did we learn as the blue wave washed over Wisconsin?

Court Race Replays Issues of 2011

Dallet vs Screnock a rerun of Kloppenburg vs Prosser for Supreme Court in 2011?

Dallet Would Make History If Elected

6 of 7 state Supreme Court members would be women, highest percentage in American history.

Justice Shirley Abrahamson Endorses Rebecca Dallet for Wisconsin Supreme Court

"It is a great honor to receive the endorsement of Wisconsin's Justice Abrahamson."

Justices Differ on Right to Lawyer

High Court majority sides with police, who say suspect waived right, dissent calls that a "fantasy.”

Wisconsin’s “Fall From Grace”

Insider article by Judge Lynn Adelman reveals how key decision transformed state.

State High Court Restricts Open Records

Ruling makes it harder for unions to determine who has voted in elections.

Can Dallet Win Supreme Court Primary?

Outspoken Madison liberal Tim Burns stands in her way.

High Court Gives Prosecutors More Power

State Supreme Court overrules statute and high court ruling previously cited 168 times.

17 Biggest Mistakes by Brad Schimel

Media feasting on problems in John Doe report. Here’s a scorecard of biggest goofs.

The Many Errors of Brad Schimel

His sloppy report on John Doe leaks won’t help Attorney General’s reputation.

State One of Worst for Whistle Blowers

GOP’s repeal of False Claims Act a “green light” to steal from taxpayers?

High Court Buries Recusal Decision

Rejection of recusal petition by 50 judges quietly released on July 4th weekend.

High Court Wrongly Rejects Recusal

Dumps proposal by 54 retired judges, assures big money influence.

Is Wisconsin Now a Red State?

With Ziegler victory, Democrats' decline, state now looks very red.

Pat Roggensack On the Warpath

Supreme Court chief justice slams Journal Sentinel, Janine Geske, and others.

54 Judges’ Powerful Case for Recusal

Their petition lays bare the problem. State Supreme Court hasn’t responded.

Supreme Court Rules Against Open Records

Conservative majority exempts Schimel’s training videos from disclosure.

Release the John Doe II Documents!

The public has a right to know how prosecutors operated and how the courts made their decisions.

Supreme Court Limits 4th Amendment Rights?

Decision gives police leeway on home searches; Justice Bradley joins liberals in dissent.

Inside Jury Duty in Milwaukee

A day in the life of a Milwaukee County juror.

Secrecy and the John Doe Probe

Did secrecy hurt the investigation? Will courts release the info now that the case is over?

Walker’s Bizarre Choice for High Court

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

The Radical State Supreme Court?

Three cases reveal the court overruling precedent while claiming it isn’t.

Chisholm Challenger Skips Debate

Verona Swanigan objects to moderator and drops out of debate with DA John Chisholm.

The Plot Thickens In John Doe

Did State Supreme Court try to sabotage appeal of its Doe ruling to US Supreme Court?

Are Conservative Groups Hiding Campaign Spending?

Anti-Kloppenburg ads could be funded by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Club for Growth

Have Anti-John Doe Forces Blundered?

They could open door to federal court questioning state Supreme Court’s shutdown of Doe probe.

Wisconsin’s Largest Police Group Endorses Judge JoAnne Kloppenburg for State Supreme Court

With nearly 10,000 members, the WPPA is truly independent having previously endorsed both Republicans and Democrats.

Roggensack Weakens Judicial Watchdog?

Chief justice appoints GOP operative sanctioned by federal court to Judicial Commission.

Wisconsin’s Top 10 Political Stories Of 2015

Walker and Republican legislators dominate this year's top political stories in Wisconsin.

State Supreme Court suspends law license of Gerald Boyle

3 DA’s Appeal John Doe

“This is great news for anyone who is concerned about money in politics,” said Matt Rothschild, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

GOP lawmaker moves to have governor, not voters, pick schools chief

The Mysterious Silence of John Chisholm

His unwillingness to answer challenges to John Doe raises questions.

Court Creates Loophole in Open Records Law

State Supreme Court ruling may allow governments to evade or delay obeying law.

About Those John Doe “Paramilitary Raids”

Are right-wing accounts of the Doe investigation fictional?

Why Crooks Opposed Court’s John Doe Ruling

He votes 90% of time with conservatives, but blasted Gableman’s majority opinion.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Condemns State Supreme Court Ruling in John Doe II

“It is not only regrettable; it is downright dangerous,” said Matt Rothschild, the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

Why We Need Term Limits

Shirley Abrahamson has served 39 years. Fred Risser has served 60 years. Maybe that's too long.

Abrahamson’s Suit Has Strong Legal Argument

Language of state constitution suggests the switch in chief justices must wait until her current term ends.

Lady MacBeth of the Supreme Court

Pat Roggensack has shamed herself and the high court in the ugly way she’s handled her elevation to chief justice.

The Meaning of Judge Bradley’s Victory

She carried more assembly districts than Obama or Mary Burke. Are there lessons for Democrats and the GOP in her victory?

Shirley Abrahamson Against the World

Chief Justice’s fight against a constitutional change to demote her is a minor issue. So why such a juicy battle involving so many conservatives?

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.

Campaign on State Supreme Court Amendment a Distortion of Democracy

Phone Calls Turn Up Massive Voter Confusion

Are Abrahamson’s Days as Chief Justice Numbered?

Constitutional amendment on April referendum would result in her being replaced as chief justice. Even if it fails, her salary will be reduced.

Can Daley Beat Bradley for Supreme Court?

Challenger could get lots of right-wing money, but that may not be enough in this case.

High Court Candidates Blast Each Other

Challenger James Daley calls incumbent Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley a liberal, while she cites Republican Party functions he attends.

Lobbyists Spent $57.5 Million on 2013-’14 Legislative Session

That's about $150,000 for each of the 380 bills that became law.

The “We Hate Shirley” Amendment

Republicans' constitutional amendment to end seniority as method to choose chief justice is a shot at Shirley Abrahamson, opponents argue.

Walker Won’t Rule Out Signing Right to Work

In a wide-ranging interview Tuesday with WCIJ, governor declines to take a stand on numerous issues.

Why Republicans Hate Kevin Kennedy

The GAB director is an “embarrassment,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says. Embarrassing to who?

Supreme Court Decisions Favor Lawyers Who Donate

Study shows justices don't recuse in 98% of cases involving attorneys and Abrahamson gets the most money.

Why We Lost the Marsupial Bridge Swings

The city hasn't allocated money to maintain them. Should the nearby Business Improvement District adopt them?

Did Sue Black Pay Nothing to “Buy” Wave Team?

The Milwaukee Wave has been a money loser, which might explain why she paid little, and why she's under pressure to turn the team around.

Spending Lower in High Court Race

Unlike the last four races, this one won't cost $4 million or so. Why is spending down?

Can Fallone Beat Roggensack?

Pat Roggensack leads the Supreme Court's conservative bloc and may be its most powerful justice. Ed Fallone blames a "dysfunctional court" on her.

High Court Race May Cost Millions

Roggensack's reelection effort will determine if Supreme Court retains a conservative majority. Millions could be spent on both sides.