Justice Rebecca Frank Dallet and Justice Brian K. Hagedorn are encouraging Wisconsin lawyers to give more attention to the Wisconsin Constitution as a distinct source of law.
In a recent Wisconsin Lawyer article, the two justices offer their “Top 10 Reasons You Should Pay Attention to the Wisconsin Constitution.” The article focuses on how the state constitution can be useful to lawyers in advocating for their clients.
The justices note that the Wisconsin Constitution has its own history, text, and meaning, and should not be treated simply as a mirror of the U.S. Constitution.
“Our constitution is our own,” the justices write. “It stands as a separate, independent legal authority requiring its own analysis supported by fully developed arguments.”
The full article is available in Wisconsin Lawyer: Top 10 Reasons You Should Pay Attention to the Wisconsin Constitution.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov

