With the filing of the term’s last substantive decision, it’s time for the first installment in our annual survey of the justices’ work. Recent years have generated some unusual developments, and it will be interesting to see if they persisted in 2025-26.[Continue Reading…]
How Liberal is the Supreme Court?
July 13, 2026 by Leave a Comment
In many respects, the label fits. Ever since the arrival of Janet Protasiewicz in the 2023-24 term, justices regarded as liberals have dominated the court. They formed the majority in nearly all non-unanimous cases for three years running,[1] and many of their rulings would have been inconceivable in the era of conservative sway not long ago. Such decisions as those on abortion, voting procedures, election maps, tribal rights, and medical negligence—all filed over conservative dissents—bolstered a claim that the court’s liberal inclinations are more pronounced now than twenty years ago during the tenure of Justice Louis Butler. Although that conclusion is not wrong,[2] today’s post addresses one area where it does not apply.[Continue Reading…]
Law Firm Fantasy League
July 10, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Three teams gained points from this week’s flurry of decisions, led by the Waivers who vaulted up the standings with 10 points from Crivello, Nichols & Hall (for a brief, oral argument, and favorable outcome in Wisconsin Voter Alliance v. … [Continue reading]
Law Firm Fantasy League
July 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
The Gavels of the State Public Defender’s Office collected five points for their brief and oral argument in Waukesha County v. R. D. T., keeping them atop the standings. … [Continue reading]
Law Firm Fantasy League
June 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Two of this week’s decisions boosted the Gavels of the State Public Defender’s Office, strengthening their position atop the standings. They collected 11 points for a brief, oral argument, and favorable outcome, along with an amicus brief, in State … [Continue reading]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Statistics, 1915-16
June 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
These tables are derived from information contained in 287 Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions that were turned up in a Nexis Uni search for decisions filed between September 1, 1915, and August 31, 1916. The total of 287 decisions does not include … [Continue reading]
Law Firm Fantasy League
June 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This week’s decision in Konkanok Rabiebna v. Higher Educational Aids Board delivered a point to the Waivers via an amicus brief by Hawks Quindel. However, the Writs were the big winners on the strength of 10 points from a brief, oral argument, and … [Continue reading]
Law Firm Fantasy League
June 12, 2026 by Leave a Comment
No decisions were filed this week--hence, no change in the standings. … [Continue reading]
Polarization in 4-3 Decisions over the Past One Hundred Years
June 9, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Decisions in the most contentious cases—those with one-vote margins—reveal much about a supreme court’s term. The number of cases, the issues involved, and the justices most often in majorities all attract attention. Numerous SCOWstats posts have … [Continue reading]
Law Firm Fantasy League
June 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This week’s decision in Koble Investments v. Elicia Marquardt delivered points to the three teams shown below, moving them closer in the standings to the first-place Gavels. The Waivers: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren (2 points for an amicus brief and … [Continue reading]
