An Introduction to Consumer Law 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • OnDemand seminar
  • Course manual (PDF)
  • Course manual (PDF) and Audio (MP3)
  • MP3
  • Consumer Law
  • New Lawyer
Up to 7.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
An Introduction to Consumer Law 2026

Endorsed by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Buyer beware (and lawyer prepared)

Issues involving vehicles, credit, housing, repossessions, and collection efforts can trigger statutory rights and obligations that are easy to overlook without a solid grounding in the basics of consumer law. For attorneys new to this area, the difficulty often lies in knowing where consumer law issues begin and how they should inform your case analysis and strategy. An Introduction to Consumer Law offers a practical starting point to help you rise to the occasion.

Whether you’re just starting out in consumer claims or looking to refresh your knowledge, let our experienced faculty break down the fundamentals and provide an orientation to how consumer claims arise and move through litigation and arbitration.

12:05 am
Lunch – on your own
8:30 am
"The Time is Out of Joint": Addressing Fraud in Timeshare Sales

Mary C. Fons

  • Tools to investigate timeshare fraud
  • Common complaints
  • Wisconsin timeshare law, Ch. 707
  • Claims under other consumer protection statutes
9:20 am
Auto Repossessions in Wisconsin

Heidi N. Miller

  • The Wisconsin Consumer Act’s notice requirements
  • Right to redeem vehicle
  • Breach of the peace
  • Other complimentary claims to bring under the WCA for wrongful repossession
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Ethics - How Many Judges Does It Take to Make a Case Frivolous?

Briane F. Pagel, Jr.

  • The risks of litigating claims without precedent
  • Do unpublished decisions matter?
  • The boundaries of a good faith effort to change the law
11:15 am
Arbitrating Consumer Cases: A Beginner’s Guide

Briane F. Pagel, Jr.

  • A walk-through of how a case goes to arbitration and what happens in arbitration
  • The main procedural differences between arbitration and litigation
  • Considerations in choosing between arbitration and litigation
1:05 pm
Defending Post-Judgment Collection Efforts

Joshua D. Christianson

1:55 pm
Consumer Motor Vehicle Litigation 101

Terrence M. Polich

  • Application of Chapter 218 to motor vehicle purchase and warranty cases
  • Magnuson-Moss standing and other perils
  • RVs and Big rig trucks: where the rubber meets the road
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Recognizing claims involving cars and homes

David G. Kingstad

  • Foreclosure defense, lender and mortgage servicer liability under RESPA, chapter 224, and common law
  • Section 100.20 disputes: home improvement, vehicle repairs, and landlord-tenant issues
3:50 pm
Program Concludes
Briane F. Pagel, Program Chair
Lawton & Cates S.C. · Madison
Joshua D. Christianson
Christianson & Freund, LLC · Eau Claire
Mary C. Fons
Fons Law Office · Stoughton
David G. Kingstad
Kingstad Law Firm LLC · Greenfield
Heidi N. Miller
HNM Law LLC · Milwaukee
Terrence M. Polich
Lawton & Cates S.C. · Madison

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Build a foundational understanding of Wisconsin and federal consumer statutes
  • Spot consumer claims and defenses earlier in client matters that might appear routine
  • Develop confidence in evaluating basic consumer claims and defenses
  • Receive guidance on arbitrating in consumer cases and how it differs from litigation
  • Identify viable claims and defenses in timeshare fraud matters under Wisconsin law and consumer protection statutes
  • Recognize recurring fact patterns in vehicle, housing, and credit matters
  • Strengthen client advice on exposure, strategy, and options in consumer-related cases
  • Attorneys new to consumer law
  • Experienced consumer lawyers seeking a refresher
  • Consumer protection attorneys
  • Bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditors’ rights attorneys
  • Creditor/debtor lawyers
  • Civil litigators
  • Business lawyers
  • General practitioners

YLD Discount!

Young Lawyers Division members receive a $20 discount on tuition.* Discount applied automatically upon log-in.

*Young Lawyers Division Members are State Bar member attorneys 36 years of age or younger, or within five years of admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you’ve opted out of YLD, you will not receive this discount. The $20 discount only applies to in-person, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand.. YLD members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE discounts are not eligible for this discount.

Book Bonus!

Commercial and Consumer Transactions in Wisconsin
Save 15% on Commercial and Consumer Transactions in Wisconsin.* Gain practical insight into how Wisconsin law applies to domestic and international business transactions, including contracts, consumer rights, collections, and more. Use discount code CA3941 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

BYP

The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® introduces you to the fundamentals of various practice areas. Gain the tools and information you need to develop a new area of practice and expand your firm's offerings. Build Your Practice Series programs are endorsed by the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division.