New Administration Brings Change To Litigation Laws In Wisconsin

Wisconsin's new "tort reform" package eliminates some litigation tools now available to plaintiffs and adds some tools for defendants. Some of the changes may have large effects in certain circumstances, some will apply more generally in all litigation, and some will arise only in limited cases.

Gov. Scott Walker introduced the measure as Senate Bill 1, the very first in his new administration. With new Republican majorities supporting him in both the Assembly and Senate, the bill was considered, amended, and adopted in just 15 days. Gov. Walker signed it today. "Improving our state's legal climate is important to creating an environment that allows the private sector to create jobs," the governor said, adding that "lawsuit reform" means Wisconsin is "no longer the Alabama of the North."