In the latest turn of events surrounding a lawsuit regarding 24 downtown bars' ban on weekend drink specials, James Lockhart, a lawyer representing the three UW-Madison students suing the bars, said the plaintiffs will be sending notice of their intent to include UW-Madison as a defendant.
Although Lockhart gave no specific date for when the plaintiffs might officially sue the university, he said it \might be sued in the future.""
""Part of the purpose of [the statute under state law] is to give the state the opportunity to respond and react, and perhaps try to resolve the claim short of litigation,"" he said. ""We'll follow the procedures provided for under Wisconsin law and make a decision at an appropriate time.""
Lockhart added he has not received any formal comments from the university since announcing the firm was sending the notice of claim.
The bars have 45 days from the time they received the complaint to file a defense case.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the bars have not filed defense cases as of yet, but ""they are freaking out"" because the case could cost them a substantial amount of money.
""They are not multi-millionaires. They don't have the money to get students checked and give free drinks,"" he said.
Verveer also said since the lawsuit is criminal, the notice goes to Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard's office. He said Blanchard has recused himself from the case and asked Milwaukee District Attorney E. Michael McCann to take it for him.
