Words matter. So does knowing how courts read them.

Every contract, statute, and constitutional provision you work with will eventually be read by someone other than its author. How courts interpret that language—and which tools they use to do it—can determine whether your client wins or loses. And Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has seen significant shifts in its approach to textual interpretation. The Kalal decision established plain language as the starting point for statutory interpretation, but recent opinions show the court is actively debating what comes next. 

Litigating Language in Wisconsin covers the full landscape of interpretive doctrine including, written instruments, statutes, and the Wisconsin Constitution. You’ll start with a focused overview of guiding principles, rationales, and the role of extrinsic evidence. Then, you’ll test your knowledge when you are presented with Latin phrases, and you must decide whether they are real canons of construction or pure nonsense. When they are real, the presenters will walk you through real Wisconsin cases where courts applied them.

Through this interactive program you will:

• Understand the guiding principles courts use to interpret written instruments, statutes, and the Wisconsin Constitution
• Examine how Kalal shaped Wisconsin’s interpretive culture—and what recent opinions suggest about where the court is headed
• Learn key canons of construction, including expressio unius, ejusdem generis, noscitur a sociis, contra proferentem, and more
• See how courts have applied these canons in real Wisconsin cases

Draft with more precision and argue with greater confidence by understanding the tools courts use to read your language

Whether you litigate, draft contracts, advise on legislation, or work in any area where written language is at issue, Litigating Language in Wisconsin delivers practical insight you can use immediately.

Words matter. So does knowing how courts read them.

Every contract, statute, and constitutional provision you work with will eventually be read by someone other than its author. How courts interpret that language—and which tools they use to do it—can determine whether your client wins or loses. And Wisconsin’s Supreme Court has seen significant shifts in its approach to textual interpretation. The Kalal decision established plain language as the starting point for statutory interpretation, but recent opinions show the court is actively debating what comes next. 

Litigating Language in Wisconsin covers the full landscape of interpretive doctrine including, written instruments, statutes, and the Wisconsin Constitution. You’ll start with a focused overview of guiding principles, rationales, and the role of extrinsic evidence. Then, you’ll test your knowledge when you are presented with Latin phrases, and you must decide whether they are real canons of construction or pure nonsense. When they are real, the presenters will walk you through real Wisconsin cases where courts applied them.