EX PARTE MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER

(Wisconsin Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Drafted for TRO practice pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02, 813.025 and Wis. Stat. § 801.15 (time computation). Confirm compliance with local circuit rules, electronic filing procedures (Wis. Stat. § 801.18), and any presiding judge’s standing orders.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ..................................................................................................................... 1
2. Ex Parte Motion and Notice .................................................................................... 2
3. Memorandum of Law .............................................................................................. 4
   3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 4
   3.2 Procedural Background ............................................................................ 4
   3.3 Legal Standard (Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02, 813.025) ...................................... 5
   3.4 Argument ................................................................................................... 6
   3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm ................................................. 6
   3.4.2 Reasonable Probability of Success on the Merits ....................... 7
   3.4.3 Balancing of Harms and Public Interest ..................................... 8
   3.5 Requested Relief and Undertaking (Bond) ............................................. 9
4. Attorney Certification Regarding Notice ............................................................ 10
5. [Proposed] Order .................................................................................................. 12
6. Certificate of Service (Wis. Stat. § 801.18; Wis. Stat. § 801.14) ...................... 14

(Page numbers will update upon formatting)

1. CAPTION

text
STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
[COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME], ) Case No. [Case Number]
Plaintiff, )
v. ) EX PARTE MOTION FOR
) TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
[DEFENDANT NAME], )
Defendant. )

2. EX PARTE MOTION AND NOTICE

TO: [Opposing Counsel/Party]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [Moving Party] moves this Court ex parte for a Temporary Restraining Order pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02 and 813.025. The motion will be presented to the Honorable [Judge Name] on [Hearing Date] at [Time], or as soon thereafter as the Court may hear the matter, at [Courthouse Address].

Immediate and irreparable harm will occur before this matter can be heard on regular notice because [Describe imminent harm, e.g., wrongful disposition of property, interference with statutory rights, misappropriation of confidential information]. Monetary damages are inadequate to fully redress the harm, and delay will defeat the Court’s ability to preserve the status quo.

Counsel [provided / attempted / seeks waiver of] notice to [Opposing Counsel/Party] on [Date] at [Time] via [telephone/email/fax/personal service], as outlined in the Attorney Certification below. [// GUIDANCE: If notice is not provided, describe specific efforts and reasons notice should be excused consistent with Wis. Stat. § 813.025(2).]

This motion is supported by the Verified [Complaint/Petition], affidavits/declarations of [Names], the accompanying Memorandum of Law, the Attorney Certification Regarding Notice, and the [Proposed] Order submitted contemporaneously.

DATED: [MM/DD/YYYY]

text
Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], State Bar No. [Number]
Attorneys for [Moving Party]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Summarize the emergency, the relief sought, and the statutory/contractual basis supporting the TRO.]

3.2 Procedural Background

1. Action Filed: [Date complaint/petition filed]
2. Service Status: [Describe service efforts]
3. Prior Court Proceedings: [Identify prior injunctions, orders, or administrative actions]
4. Urgent Events: [Chronological description leading to the emergency]

3.3 Legal Standard (Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02, 813.025)

Under Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02(1) and 813.025, a temporary restraining order may be granted without written or oral notice if it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or verified pleading that irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard, and the movant’s attorney certifies efforts to provide notice and reasons notice should be excused. Courts evaluate whether (1) there is a reasonable probability of success on the merits, (2) irreparable harm will result absent relief, (3) the balance of harms favors the movant, and (4) the injunction serves the public interest. See Werner v. A.L. Grootemaat & Sons, Inc., 80 Wis. 2d 513, 259 N.W.2d 310 (1977); School Dist. of Slinger v. WIAA, 210 Wis. 2d 365, 563 N.W.2d 585 (Ct. App. 1997).

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Immediate and Irreparable Harm

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed facts establishing imminent harm. Explain why legal remedies are insufficient and cite supporting affidavits/exhibits.]

3.4.2 Reasonable Probability of Success on the Merits

[// GUIDANCE: Analyze the substantive claims with citations to Wisconsin statutes and case law. Address anticipated defenses.]

3.4.3 Balancing of Harms and Public Interest

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that the balance of harms and public policy considerations favor the movant, including preservation of the status quo and minimal prejudice to the respondent.]

3.5 Requested Relief and Undertaking (Bond)

[// GUIDANCE: Enumerate the requested injunctive provisions, request a hearing on a temporary injunction within the statutory timeframe, and propose an undertaking amount or grounds for waiver pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 813.06.]

4. ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION REGARDING NOTICE

I, [Counsel Name], certify under penalty of perjury pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 902.01 that:

1. I represent [Moving Party] in this action.
2. On [Date] at [Time], I notified [Opposing Counsel/Party] of the intent to seek an ex parte Temporary Restraining Order by [method].
3. The response received was [Describe response/no response].
4. If notice was not provided, I made the following diligent efforts: [Detail efforts]. Notice should be excused because [Explain exigent circumstances consistent with Wis. Stat. § 813.025(2)].
5. I informed [Opposing Counsel/Party] that the motion would be presented on [Hearing Date] at [Time] in [Courtroom].

Executed on [MM/DD/YYYY] at [City, State].

text

[COUNSEL NAME], State Bar No. [Number]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

text
STATE OF WISCONSIN
CIRCUIT COURT
[COUNTY] COUNTY

[CAPTION SAME AS ABOVE]

[PROPOSED] TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

The Court, having considered Plaintiff’s Ex Parte Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, supporting affidavits, and counsel’s certification, FINDS that immediate and irreparable injury will result before Defendant can be heard. IT IS ORDERED:

1. The Ex Parte Motion is GRANTED pursuant to Wis. Stat. §§ 813.02 and 813.025.
2. Defendant, and all persons acting in concert with Defendant, are restrained from:
   a. [Specify prohibited acts];
   b. [Specify additional restraints or mandatory directives].
3. Defendant shall appear on [Date] at [Time] in Courtroom [Number] to show cause why a temporary injunction should not issue.
4. Plaintiff shall serve this Order, the motion, and supporting materials on Defendant by [method] on or before [Date], and promptly file proof of service.
5. Plaintiff shall execute an undertaking in the amount of $[Amount] pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 813.06 by [Date].
6. This Order shall remain in effect until [Expiration Date/Time], unless extended or modified by further order of the Court.

Dated: _____ _____
Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Circuit Court Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE (Wis. Stat. § 801.18; § 801.14)

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [Date], I served the foregoing EX PARTE MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER on the following:

[Service List: Name, Firm, Address, Email]

☐ Wisconsin Courts eFiling system (if registered)
☐ E-Mail (consent per Wis. Stat. § 801.14(2))
☐ First-Class Mail
☐ Overnight Delivery
☐ Personal Service by [Process Server]

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Date: [Date]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]

[// GUIDANCE: Attach supporting affidavits, exhibits, and any county-specific emergency motion cover sheets or hearing notices required by local practice.]