2017 WI 22
SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN
CASE NO.: 2015AP207
COMPLETE TITLE: Scott Smith,
Plaintiff-Respondent-Cross-Appellant,
Alpha Cargo Technology, LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
Greg Kleynerman,
Defendant-Appellant-Cross-RespondentPetitioner,
Red Flag Cargo Security Systems, LLC,
Defendant.
REVIEW OF A DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS
OPINION FILED: March 21, 2017
SUBMITTED ON BRIEFS:
ORAL ARGUMENT: January 19, 2017
SOURCE OF APPEAL:
COURT:
COUNTY:
JUDGE:
JUSTICES:
CONCURRED: ABRAHAMSON, J. concurs (Opinion filed).
DISSENTED:
NOT PARTICIPATING: KELLY, J. did not participate.
ATTORNEYS:
For the Defendant-Appellant-Cross-Respondent-Petitioner,
Greg Kleynerman, there were briefs filed by Thomas L. Shriner,
Jr., Max B. Chester and Philip C. Babler, Foley & Lardner LLP,
Milwaukee, and oral argument by Thomas L. Shriner.
For the Plaintiff-Respondent-Cross-Appellant, Scott Smith,
there was a brief filed by Timothy M. Hansen, Andrew J. Kramer,
Danielle M. Nardick and Hansen Reynolds LLC, Milwaukee, and oral
argument by Andrew J. Kramer.
2017 WI 22
NOTICE
This opinion is subject to further
editing and modification. The final
version will appear in the bound
volume of the official reports.
No. 2015AP207
(L.C. No. 2011CV18551)
STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT
Scott Smith,
Plaintiff-Respondent-Cross-Appellant,
Alpha Cargo Technology, LLC,
Plaintiff, FILED
v. MAR 21, 2017
Greg Kleynerman, Diane M. Fremgen
Clerk of Supreme Court
Defendant-Appellant-Cross-RespondentPetitioner,
Red Flag Cargo Security Systems, LLC,
Defendant.
¶1 PER CURIAM. The judgment is affirmed by an equally
divided Court.
¶2 DANIEL KELLY, J., did not participate.
No. 2015AP207.ssa
¶3 SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON, J. (concurring). I write
separately to preserve institutional and historical memory.
This is the first case since 1979 resulting in a tie vote in
which the court does not state the names of the participating
justices and each of the justices' votes in the case.
¶4 A total of 115 cases from 1885 through 2016 present
the names and votes of each participating justice. See
Attachment A.
¶5 A total of 26 cases from 1849 through 1979 do not
present the names and votes of each participating justice. See
Attachment B.
¶6 These attachments demonstrate, even if my internet
search might have missed some cases, that the court is changing
its recent and historically dominant practice with this per
curiam. The court gives no explanation for this change.
¶7 From my perspective, consistency is important. If a
court is not consistent in its practice about reporting tie
votes, then I believe the court should explain why the voting
information is revealed in a particular case and in another it
is not.
¶8 High courts in other states differ in their practice
about setting forth the names of the justices and the votes cast
in tie vote cases. The United States Supreme Court does not set
forth the line-up of the justices when a tie vote exists.
1
No. 2015AP207.ssa
ATTACHMENT A
Equally Divided Court:
Cases Naming Justices
1. Zwickey v. Haney, 63 Wis. 464,
23 N.W. 577 (1885) (on
appeal).
2. Church of the Good Shepherd v. Racine Water Co., 116 Wis.
11,
92 N.W. 436 (1902) (on appeal).
3. Morey v. Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer Ry. Co.,
118
Wis. 148,
93 N.W. 1135 (1903) (on appeal).
4. Gibbs v. Seibt,
118 Wis. 145,
93 N.W. 1097 (1903) (on
appeal).
5. Jacobs v. Queen Ins. Co. of Am., 123 Wis. 608,
101 N.W.
1090 (1905) (on appeal).
6. Cook v. Minneapolis, St. P. & S.S.M. Ry. Co.,
125 Wis. 528,
103 N.W. 1097 (1905) (on appeal).
7. Zohrlaut v. Mengelberg,
148 Wis. 592,
134 N.W. 1135 (1912)
(on appeal).
8. Nelson v. Fairchild & N.E. R. Co., 163 Wis. 300,
156 N.W.
942 (1916) (on appeal).
9. Wis. Chair Co. v. Industrial Comm'n of Wis.,
163 Wis. 25,
157 N.W. 1103 (1916) (on appeal).
10. Faust Lumber Co. v. Industrial Comm'n of Wis.,
163 Wis.
365,
157 N.W. 1103 (1916) (on appeal).
11. In re Carter's Estate,
167 Wis. 89,
166 N.W. 657 (1918) (on
appeal).
12. Rathenberger v. Jacob, 167 Wis. 273,
167 N.W. 271 (1918)
(on appeal).
1
No. 2015AP207.ssa
13. Johnston v. City of West Allis, 173 Wis. 463,
180 N.W. 121
(1920) (on appeal).
14. Racine Auto Tire Co. v. Indus. Comm'n of Wis., 173 Wis.
118,
180 N.W. 124 (1920) (on appeal).
15. Gruhl Sash & Door Co. v. Chicago, M. & St. P. Ry. Co.,
173
Wis. 215,
180 N.W. 845 (1921) (on appeal).
16. In re Saveland's Will,
173 Wis. 328,
181 N.W. 209 (1921)
(on appeal).
17. South Side Malleable Co. v. Four Wheel Drive Auto Co., 174
Wis. 93,
181 N.W. 749 (1921) (on appeal).
18. Kahn v. Melaney,
174 Wis. 95,
181 N.W. 737 (1921) (on
appeal).
19. Kroner v. Order of United Commercial Travelers of Am., 176
Wis. 151,
184 N.W. 1037 (1921) (on appeal).
20. Griffin v. Milwaukee Elec. Ry. & Light Co.,
176 Wis. 179,
185 N.W. 639 (1921) (on appeal).
21. State ex rel. Klefisch v. Wis. Telephone Co.,
181 Wis. 519,
195 N.W. 544 (1923) (on appeal).
22. Fox River Paper Co. v. Railroad Comm'n,
189 Wis. 626,
208
N.W. 266 (1926) (on appeal).
23. Schafer & Olson v. Varney,
191 Wis. 186,
210 N.W. 359
(1926) (on appeal).
24. Morse v. State, 193 Wis. 495,
215 N.W. 216 (1927) (on
appeal).
25. Boehlke v. Wallschlaeger, 196 Wis. 570,
219 N.W. 270 (1928)
(on appeal).
2
No. 2015AP207.ssa
26. Barteck v. Rotter, 197 Wis. 303,
222 N.W. 221 (1928) (on
appeal).
27. In re Ott's Will, 198 Wis. 55,
223 N.W. 452 (1929) (on
appeal).
28. Estate of Byrne, 201 Wis. 76,
228 N.W. 436 (1930) (on
appeal).
29. Olson v. Cunningham, 200 Wis. 610,
228 N.W. 895 (1930) (on
appeal).
30. Spring Creek Threshing Co. v. Amundson, 202 Wis. 150,
231
N.W. 628 (1930) (on appeal).
31. Bender v. Bain,
227 Wis. 454,
278 N.W. 864 (1938) (on
appeal).
32. Carpenter Baking Co. v. Bakery Sales Drivers Local Union,
238 Wis. 367,
299 N.W. 30 (1941) (on appeal).
33. In re Gerlach's Will,
239 Wis. 353,
300 N.W. 476 (1941) (on
appeal).
34. Banking Comm'n of Wis. v. Rothe, 239 Wis. 529,
2 N.W.2d 220
(1942) (on appeal).
35. Radtke Bros. & Kortsch Co. v. Indus. Comm'n, 240 Wis. 410,
3 N.W.2d 679 (1942) (on appeal).
36. Int'l Harvester Co. v. Wis. Dep't of Taxation,
243 Wis.
198,
10 N.W.2d 169 (1943) (on appeal).
37. In re Razall's Will,
245 Wis. 416,
14 N.W.2d 764 (1944) (on
appeal).
38. Fed. Refrigerator Mfg. Co. v. Crowley, 252 Wis. 532,
32
N.W.2d 351 (1948) (on appeal).
3
No. 2015AP207.ssa
39. In re Klofanda's Will, 252 Wis. 541,
32 N.W.2d 220 (1948)
(on appeal).
40. Carley v. Jewett, 253 Wis. 630,
34 N.W.2d 779 (1948) (on
appeal).
41. Halvorson v. Connors, 253 Wis. 629,
34 N.W.2d 778 (1948)
(on appeal).
42. City of Lake Geneva v. Walworth Cty., 258 Wis. 495,
46
N.W.2d 767 (1951) (on appeal).
43. Wis. Elec. Power Co. v. City of Milwaukee,
263 Wis. 111,
56
N.W.2d 784 (1953) (on appeal).
44. Mahringer v. Knoeller,
9 Wis. 2d 7,
100 N.W.2d 371 (1960)
(on appeal).
45. Barker v. Retail Credit Co., 8 Wis. 2d 664,
100 N.W.2d 391
(1960) (on appeal).
46. Village of Brown Deer v. City of Milwaukee, 16 Wis. 2d 206,
114 N.W.2d 493 (1962) (on appeal).
47. State v. Roggensack,
20 Wis. 2d 468,
122 N.W.2d 408 (1963)
(on appeal).
48. Coffee-Rich, Inc. v. McDowell, 25 Wis. 2d 99,
130
N.W.2d 203 (1964) (on appeal).
49. Graebner v. Wis. Indus. Comm'n,
27 Wis. 2d 142,
133
N.W.2d 810 (1965) (on appeal).
50. Foregger v. Foregger,
28 Wis. 2d 505,
137 N.W.2d 409 (1965)
(on appeal).
51. Smith v. State, 41 Wis. 2d 145,
163 N.W.2d 8 (1968) (on
appeal).
4
No. 2015AP207.ssa
52. State v. White, 59 Wis. 2d 354,
208 N.W.2d 321 (1973) (on
appeal).
53. State v. Kline, 73 Wis. 2d 337,
243 N.W.2d 519 (1976) (on
appeal).
54. Brown v. State, 73 Wis. 2d 351,
243 N.W.2d 519 (1976) (on
appeal).
55. Punches v. State, 73 Wis. 2d 206,
243 N.W.2d 518 (1976) (on
appeal).
56. State v. Balistrieri, 96 Wis. 2d 361,
291 N.W.2d 579 (1980)
(on petition for review).
57. Herwig v. Enerson & Eggen, 101 Wis. 2d 170,
303 N.W.2d 669
(1981) (on petition for review).
58. Frito-Lay v. LIRC, 101 Wis. 2d 169,
303 N.W.2d 668 (1981)
(on petition for review).
59. State ex rel. Badger Produce Co., Inc. v. Equal
Opportunities Comm'n, 1982 WL 11213 (unpublished per
curiam).
60. Local 507 v. Wilson Street E. Dinner Playhouse, Inc., 126
Wis. 2d 284,
375 N.W.2d 664 (1985) (on certification).
61. In Interest of R.H.,
150 Wis. 2d 432,
441 N.W.2d 233 (1989)
(on petition for review).
62. Wis. Public Serv. Corp. v. Public Serv. Comm'n of Wis., 174
Wis. 2d 705,
497 N.W.2d 723 (1993) (on bypass).
63. State v. Young,
191 Wis. 2d 393,
528 N.W.2d 417 (1995) (on
petition for review).
64. State v. Richard Knutson, Inc., 191 Wis. 2d 395,
528
N.W.2d 430 (1995) (on certification).
5
No. 2015AP207.ssa
65. State v. Ameritech Corp., 193 Wis. 2d 150,
532 N.W.2d 449
(1995) (on petition for review).
66. State v. Wills, 193 Wis. 2d 273,
533 N.W.2d 165 (1995) (on
petition for review).
67. State v. Elam 195 Wis. 2d 683,
538 N.W.2d 249 (1995) (on
bypass).
68. Ware v. Schoone, 199 Wis. 2d 712,
546 N.W.2d 142 (1996) (on
petition for review).
69. State ex rel. Thompson v. Jackson, 199 Wis. 2d 714,
546
N.W.2d 140 (1996) (original action).
70. Ives v. Coopertools,
208 Wis. 2d 55,
559 N.W.2d 571 (1997)
(on petition for review).
71. State v. Wis. Cent. Transp. Corp., 209 Wis. 2d 278,
562
N.W.2d 152 (1997) (on petition for review).
72. State v. Watson,
209 Wis. 2d 281,
562 N.W.2d 151 (1997) (on
certification).
73. DeRuyter v. Wis. Elec. Power Co., 211 Wis. 2d 169,
565
N.W.2d 118 (1997) (on petition for review).
74. Moulas v. PBC Productions, Inc.,
217 Wis. 2d 449,
576
N.W.2d 929 (1998) (on petition for review).
75. Eneman v. Richter,
224 Wis. 2d 258,
589 N.W.2d 414 (1999)
(on petition for review).
76. State v. Deborah J.Z., 225 Wis. 2d 33,
590 N.W.2d 711
(1999) (on certification).
77. State ex rel. Luedtke v. Bertrand, 226 Wis. 2d 271,
594
N.W.2d 370 (1999) (on petition for review).
6
No. 2015AP207.ssa
78. In re Commitment of Thomas, 231 Wis. 2d 241,
603 N.W.2d 84
(1999) (on petition for review).
79. Douglas-Hanson Co., Inc. v. BF Goodrich Co., 2000 WI 22,
233 Wis. 2d 276,
607 N.W.2d 621 (on petition for review).
80. State v. Longcore,
2000 WI 23,
233 Wis. 2d 278,
607
N.W.2d 620 (on petition for review).
81. Guzman v. St. Francis Hosp., Inc.
2000 WI 34,
234
Wis. 2d 170,
609 N.W.2d 166 (on bypass).
82. State v. Strong,
2000 WI 50,
235 Wis. 2d 379,
611
N.W.2d 457 (on petition for review).
83. Powell v. Cooper,
2001 WI 10,
241 Wis. 2d 153,
622
N.W.2d 265 (on petition for review).
84. State ex rel. Marberry v. Macht,
2001 WI 19,
241
Wis. 2d 695,
623 N.W.2d 135 (on certification).
85. State v. Bond,
2001 WI 56,
243 Wis. 2d 476,
627 N.W.2d 484
(on petition for review).
86. In re Commitment of Schulpius, 2001 WI 69,
244 Wis. 2d 401,
628 N.W.2d 349 (on bypass).
87. S.J.A.J. v. First Things First, Ltd.,
2001 WI 118,
247
Wis. 2d 1029,
635 N.W.2d 292 (on petition for review).
88. Servais v. Kraft Foods, Inc.,
2002 WI 42,
252 Wis. 2d 145,
643 N.W.2d 92 (on petition for review).
89. State v. Greer,
2003 WI 20,
260 Wis. 2d 43,
658 N.W.2d 795
(on certification).
90. State v. Agnello, 2003 WI 44,
261 Wis. 2d 331,
664
N.W.2d 55 (on certification).
7
No. 2015AP207.ssa
91. Wenke v. Gehl Co., 2003 WI 96,
263 Wis. 2d 675,
665
N.W.2d 211 (on certification).
92. Hoyme v. Brakken,
2004 WI 26,
270 Wis. 2d 55,
677
N.W.2d 233 (on petition for review).
93. Dairyland Greyhound Park, Inc. v. Doyle,
2004 WI 34,
270
Wis. 2d 267,
677 N.W.2d 275 (on certification).
94. State v. Thornton,
2004 WI 35,
270 Wis. 2d 265,
677
N.W.2d 274 (on petition for review).
95. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Keltgen,
2004 WI 37,
270
Wis. 2d 315,
677 N.W.2d 297 (on petition for review).
96. Lynch v. Carriage Ridge, LLC,
2004 WI 53,
271 Wis. 2d 608,
679 N.W.2d 514 (on petition for review).
97. GPS, Inc. v. Town of St. Germain,
2004 WI 81,
273
Wis. 2d 103,
681 N.W.2d 533 (on petition for review).
98. Wis. Bell, Inc. v. Public Serv. Comm'n of Wis.,
2005 WI 23,
279 Wis. 2d 1,
693 N.W.2d 301 (on petition for review).
99. Strenke v. Hogner,
2005 WI 25,
279 Wis. 2d 52,
694
N.W.2d 296 (on certification).
100. State v. Jensen,
2005 WI 31,
279 Wis. 2d 220,
694 N.W.2d 56
(on petition for review).
101. State v. Chvala, 2005 WI 30,
279 Wis. 2d 216,
693
N.W.2d 747 (on petition for review).
102. Heikkinen v. United Servs. Auto. Ass'n,
2007 WI 124,
305
Wis. 2d 68,
739 N.W.2d 489 (on petition for review).
103. Wis. Realtors Ass'n v. Town of West Point,
2007 WI 139,
306
Wis. 2d 42,
743 N.W.2d 441 (on certification).
8
No. 2015AP207.ssa
104. Hornback v. Archdiocese of Milwaukee, 2008 WI 98,
313
Wis. 2d 294,
752 N.W.2d 862 (on petition for review).
105. Polsky v. Virnich,
2009 WI 66,
318 Wis. 2d 599,
769
N.W.2d 52 (on certification).
106. Metro. Milwauke Ass'n of Commerce, Inc. v. City of
Milwaukee, 2010 WI 122,
329 Wis. 2d 537,
789 N.W.2d 734 (on
certification).
107. Phillips v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, 2010 WI 131,
329
Wis. 2d 639,
791 N.W.2d 190 (on petition for review).
108. Polsky v. Virnich,
2011 WI 13,
332 Wis. 2d 1,
800
N.W.2d 742 (on petition for review).
109. State v. Henley,
2011 WI 68,
335 Wis. 2d 559,
800
N.W.2d 418 (on motion to file amicus brief).
110. Polsky v. Virnich,
2011 WI 69,
335 Wis. 2d 555,
804
N.W.2d 80 (on motion to disqualify Justice Roggensack).
111. Wis. Prosperity Network v. Myse,
2012 WI 27,
339
Wis. 2d 243,
810 N.W.2d 356 (original action).
112. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Hague Quality Water, Intern.,
2014 WI 5,
352 Wis. 2d 308,
841 N.W.2d 819 (on petition for
review).
113. Sohn Mfg., Inc. v. LIRC, 2014 WI 112,
358 Wis. 2d 308,
854
N.W.2d 371 (on petition for review).
114. New Richmond News v. City of New Richmond,
2015 WI 106,
365
Wis. 2d 610,
875 N.W.2d 107 (on bypass).
115. Clark ex rel. Gramling v. Am. Cyanamid Co.,
2016 WI 24,
367
Wis. 2d 540,
877 N.W.2d 117 (on certification).
9
No. 2015AP207.ssa
ATTACHMENT B
Equally Divided Court:
Cases Not Naming Justices
1. State ex rel. Dunning v. Giles, 2 Pin. 166 (1849) (on writ of
mandamus).
2. Oshoga v. State, 3 Pin. 56 (1850) (on appeal).
3. Selleck v. Griswold,
49 Wis. 39 (1880) (on appeal).
4. State ex rel. Dietrich v. Patterson
119 Wis. 52,
96 N.W. 1135
(1903) (on appeal).
5. Francisco v. Hatch, 124 Wis. 220,
101 N.W. 1135 (1905) (on
appeal).
6. Swenson v. Flint, 123 Wis. 613,
101 N.W. 1135 (1905) (on
appeal).
7. Montayne v. N. Electrical Mfg. Co., 127 Wis. 22,
105 N.W.
1043 (1905) (on appeal).
8. Stark v. Huber Mfg. Co.,
130 Wis. 432,
100 N.W. 231 (1907)
(on appeal).
9. State ex rel. McGovern v. Williams, 130 Wis. 588,
110 N.W.
1135 (1907) (on writ of mandamus).
10. Pfister v. McGovern,
132 Wis. 533,
111 N.W. 1135 (1907) (on
appeal).
11. Hagenah v. Milwaukee Elec. Ry. & Light Co., 136 Wis. 300,
116
N.W. 843 (1908) (on appeal).
12. Hahn v. Eells,
177 Wis. 378,
187 N.W. 686 (1922) (on appeal).
13. Kieckhefer Box Co. v. John Strange Paper Co.,
180 Wis. 367,
189 N.W. 145 (1922) (on appeal).
14. Cunneen v. Kalscheuer,
203 N.W. 737 (1925) (on appeal).
10
No. 2015AP207.ssa
15. City of Barron v. Indus. Comm'n, 188 Wis. 653,
206 N.W. 978
(1926) (on appeal).
16. Luebke v. Danaher,
195 Wis. 660,
219 N.W. 270 (1928) (on
appeal).
17. State ex rel. Dammann v. Ballard,
198 Wis. 23,
223 N.W.2d 93
(1929) (on appeal).
18. Halamka v. Schneider,
197 Wis. 538,
222 N.W. 821 (1929) (on
appeal).
19. Gooder v. State,
198 Wis. 42,
223 N.W. 408 (1929) (on
appeal).
20. In re Relocation of Cty. Hwy. J,
199 Wis. 75,
225 N.W. 750
(1929) (on appeal).
21. Aylward v. Indus. Comm'n,
202 Wis. 171,
228 N.W. 133 (1929)
(on appeal).
22. Seifert v. Milwaukee & Suburban Transport Corp.,
4
Wis. 2d 623,
91 N.W.2d 236 (1958) (on appeal).
23. Joint School Dist. No. 1 v. Thuss,
4 Wis. 2d 207,
89
N.W.2d 797 (1958) (on appeal).
24. In re Todd's Estate,
16 Wis. 2d 635,
115 N.W.2d 551 (1962)
(on appeal).
25. Godard v. State,
55 Wis. 2d 189,
197 N.W.2d 811 (1972) (on
appeal).
26. Beckley v. Seidita,
87 Wis. 2d 911,
276 N.W.2d 301 (1979)
(unpublished per curiam——cites are to tables).
11
No. 2015AP207.ssa
1
