The Competition Committee’s winter meeting focused almost exclusively on the Gavels of the State Public Defender’s Office. For years the league’s dominant team, the Gavels may no longer be viable in light of the tiny number of criminal cases … [Continue reading]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Statistics, 1919-20
December 9, 2025 by Leave a Comment
These tables are derived from information contained in 266 Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions that were turned up in a Nexis Uni search for decisions filed between September 1, 1919, and August 31, 1920. The total of 266 decisions does not include … [Continue reading]
“Women and the Wisconsin Supreme Court”: An Update through 2024-25
November 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment
The passage of three years since the last update prompts our return to the question of how frequently women have been delivering oral arguments—as representatives of the Department of Justice, the Public Defender, private firms, and all categories … [Continue reading]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Statistics, 1920-21
October 13, 2025 by Leave a Comment
These tables are derived from information contained in 250 Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions that were turned up in a Nexis Uni search for decisions filed between September 1, 1920, and August 31, 1921. The total of 250 decisions does not include … [Continue reading]
Measuring Polarization at the Court
September 9, 2025 by 1 Comment
Although numerous commentators have characterized the Wisconsin Supreme Court as polarized, this conclusion often seemed based on nothing more precise than acrimonious exchanges between justices or the number of 4-3 decisions filed that term. … [Continue reading]
Unanimous and 4-3 Decisions: Some Longterm Trends
August 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
At a time when the Wisconsin Supreme Court has been described as polarized, dysfunctional, and politicized,[1] some commentators have noted that fully 36% of decisions were unanimous in 2024-25—consistent with levels in previous terms and a larger … [Continue reading]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Statistics, 1921-22
August 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment
These tables are derived from information contained in 285 Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions that were turned up in a Nexis Uni search for decisions filed between September 1, 1921, and August 31, 1922. The total of 285 decisions does not include … [Continue reading]
Correction for the 2024-25 Statistics
July 28, 2025 by Leave a Comment
I’m grateful to a reader for bringing to my attention that I mistakenly attributed a dissent in State v. Joan L. Stetzer to Justice Protasiewicz that should have been credited to Justice Karofsky. I have corrected the four affected tables in the … [Continue reading]
The 2024-25 Fantasy League Medalists
July 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment
This season featured a thrilling conclusion, with the Writs overtaking the Affirmed in the final days of competition. At its awards banquet earlier this week, the league honored not only the Writs but also the leading scorers from each team: … [Continue reading]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Statistics, 2024-25
July 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
These tables are derived from information contained in 22 Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions filed between September 1, 2024, and the end of the court’s term in the summer of 2025. The total of 22 decisions omits orders pertaining to various motions, … [Continue reading]
