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Last week, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals affirmed a decision in favor of a student journalist at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh who sought records about a business professor subject to prior employment investigations. The University agreed to release the records but the professor sued to block release. Pines Bach attorneys Christa Westerberg and Aaron Dumas represented the journalist at the request of the Student Press Law Center.
Welsh Scores a Victory for Medicaid Providers
This week, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals held that the Department of Health Services was not entitled to recoup Medicaid payments made to a family planning clinic based on certain recordkeeping disputes. The Court found that the clinic was not required to keep records the Department asserted were required, and that an omission on the claims form did not provide the Department with legal authority to recoup payments which it had already made.
Pines Bach Attorneys Named to 2017 Pro Bono Honor Society
Last month, the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission named Attorneys Aaron Dumas and Christa Westerberg to its Pro Bono Honor Society for 2017. Each year, the Commission honors state lawyers who have helped to provide equal access to justice under the law by performing at least 50 hours of qualifying pro bono legal services. Dumas and Westerberg exceeded the requirement, assisting a student journalist obtain public records, representing non-profit organizations, and helping mediate a case for a prisoner who alleged inadequate medical care while incarcerated.
Crawford Elected Dane County Judge
Congratulations to Pines Bach partner, Susan Crawford, who was elected on April 3 to be a Dane County Circuit Court judge. She will start her new position on August 1. Crawford is an outstanding attorney and wonderful colleague who has done great work at Pines Bach. She will be a wonderful addition the judiciary.
Westerberg Pens Op-Ed for The Wisconsin State Journal
The Wisconsin State Journal published an op-ed by Pines Bach partner, Christa Westerberg, entitled "Government Policies Put Public Health At Risk" which described numerous instances where local and state government agencies in Wisconsin have kept their employees from notifying the public about health risks. Read the full article here: http://host.madison.com/wsj/opinion/column/christa-westerberg-government-policies-put-public-health-at-risk/article_ef1fa4eb-0bb4-5bea-a14d-b6bde411f456.html
Dumas & Pines Settle Civil Rights Claim against State Rep. Kooyenga
Attorneys Aaron Dumas and Lester Pines settled a civil rights claim against Wisconsin State Representative, Dale Kooyenga, with the State of Wisconsin paying $30,000 in damages for Kooyenga's theft of a sign with a proper permit that had been displayed in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Kooyenga took the sign because he objected to its criticism of President Trump and his supporters. Commenting on the settlement, Lester Pines was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "We are pleased with the settlement because it is an acknowledgment by Rep. Kooyenga that he violated the Eighth Commandment-thou shall not steal."
Pines Bach Mourns the Death of Cheryl Rosen Weston, Founding Partner
Cheryl Rosen Weston, one of the founders of Pines Bach, died on March 23rd. Cheryl became a lawyer in 1971 and helped found the firm in 1979. She was one of the "new wave" of women who entered law school and the practice of law in the late 1960's and early 1970's who dramatically changed the composition of the profession. To pursue other interests, especially her desire to teach law, Cheryl stopped being a partner in 1991. At the time of her death, she was a Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin Law School, having taught a generation of law students there.
Pines Bach Attorneys Prevail in Request for Hearing Regarding Proposed Wetland Destruction.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has decided to stay a permit that would allow the destruction of wetlands for a proposed golf course in Sheboygan County. The DNR had granted the permit in January.
Susan Crawford Honored As Statewide "Leader in The Law"
Susan Crawford, a Pines Bach partner, was honored yesterday as one of the top members of the Wisconsin's legal community, receiving a prestigious "Leader in the Law" award for her legal expertise and career achievements. The award was presented by the Wisconsin Law Journal at its annual awards dinner and ceremony held at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.
Pines Bach Attorneys Score Circuit Court Win on Electronic Records
Pines Bach partner Christa Westerberg, assisted by attorney Aaron Dumas, prevailed last week in an Open Records law case on behalf journalist and open government advocate Bill Lueders. Lueders had requested copies of emails from a state legislator and was offered over 1,500 pages of printed emails. He then requested electronic copies, was denied, and sued to obtain them.
