By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//April 29, 2024//
Ryan Billings has been elected president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin on Monday, according to the State Bar of Wisconsin.
“Ryan Billings’ victory is a victory for all Wisconsin lawyers,” said outgoing Board of Governors’ member Nick Zales.
“He has been a thoughtful, dedicated and hard-working bar governor. He has demonstrated the highest level of honor and integrity in his bar service. He will make a fine bar president,” Zales added.
The elections ended April 26, 2024, and Billings, of Kohner, Mann & Kailas, defeated Jennifer Johnson of Milwaukee by 1,615 votes to 1,376, the State Bar reported.
The president-elect typically serves a one-year term as president-elect before serving a one-year term as president. Newly elected officers take their posts on July 1, 2024.
Martina Gast was elected secretary. Gast will serve a two-year term as secretary. She defeated William Wallo by 1,758 votes to 1,119, the State Bar reported.
Margo Kirchner was elected Judicial Council representative, according to the State Bar.
Kirchner will serve a three-year term as Judicial Council representative after defeating Matthew Rowe by 1,848 votes to 1,022, the State Bar reported.
In response, William C. Gleisner III, chair of the Judicial Council, wrote in an email:
“Two of our Council members are to be congratulated!! Our Ryan Billings has been elected President-Elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin! And our esteemed Vice Chair, Margo Kirchner, has been elected to another three-year term on the Council! Great news for the Council and great news for the State Bar of Wisconsin!!!”
As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, all candidates declined to be interviewed, except for the Board of Governors.
Two-year terms begin July 1, according to the State Bar.
District 2 (five vacancies)
District 4 (one vacancy)
District 6 (two vacancies)
District 8 (one vacancy)
District 9 (four vacancies)
District 10 (one vacancy)
District 12 (one vacancy)
District 14 (one vacancy)
District 16 (one vacancy)