Latham v. Casey & King Corp.

The appeal raises two questions: (1) Whether the trial court has the power to dismiss sua sponte an action on its merits upon failure of the plaintiff’s attorney to appear at the pretrial conference, and (2) if the court has such power, whether it was wrong for the court to exercise it in the manner it did. The rules of civil practice of the county courts of Milwaukee county require a pretrial conference in all civil jury actions and the attendance of trial attorneys. This rule, apparently adopted as a uniform requirement by Milwaukee county courts, supplements sec. 269.65, Stats., which…