The next president of the Wisconsin State Bar, Paul Swanson, has promised to serve the organization's members in a variety of ways. I take him at his word, and am writing this open letter to suggest a starting point.

Tagged with: Critic's Corner Michael D. Cicchini OLR Paul Swanson Robert Henak State Bar

BOG to discuss voluntary paralegal certification

April 27, 2016 11:31 am Leave a comment

Paralegals would be able to obtain official state certifications under a proposal the State Bar plans to consider Friday.

Tagged with: Paralegals State Bar Wisconsin State Bar

Chief justice to speak at BOG meeting

April 21, 2016 12:11 pm Leave a comment

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Pat Roggensack will speak at the April meeting of the State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors.

Tagged with: Pat Roggensack State Bar

In-house counsel urges pro bono rule change

April 14, 2016 10:24 am Leave a comment

In-house lawyers who are not licensed in Wisconsin could come into the state to perform pro bono legal services under a proposed rule the state Supreme Court considered Wednesday.

Tagged with: pro bono State Bar Wisconsin Supreme Court

Groundbreaking study unearths insights into attorneys’ mental health, substance abuse

March 17, 2016 8:07 am Leave a comment

Linda Albert, program manager for the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Lawyer Assistance Program, co-authored a study on mental health and substance use among lawyers. (Staff Photo by Kevin Harnack)

Since its release last month, a groundbreaking study into attorneys’ mental health and substance abuse has had little trouble making itself known throughout the legal profession.

Tagged with: Lawyer Assistance Program Linda Albert State Bar substance abuse

Arbitrator sides with State Bar in dues dispute (UPDATE)

February 25, 2016 3:29 pm Leave a comment

The arbitrator in a dispute over Wisconsin State Bar dues has sided with the bar.

Tagged with: dues Howard Bellman Ralph Cagle State Bar

Pair of candidates vie for State Bar’s top spot

February 3, 2016 9:38 am Leave a comment

State Bar of Wisconsin candidates John Danner (left) and Paul Swanson meet at the group’s headquarters in Madison on Jan. 15. Bar members will decide on their next leader in April. The winner will take office on July 1. (Staff Photo by Kevin Harnack)

A Minocqua family attorney and Oshkosh bankruptcy lawyer are competing for one of the top spots at the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Tagged with: Board of Governors Paul Swanson State Bar

State Bar mulls dues policy, OKs 2017 Keller reduction

February 1, 2016 12:30 pm Leave a comment

After objections from government and out-of-state attorneys, the State Bar of Wisconsin's Board of Governors is retooling a proposal meant to help ensure dues recommendations are regular and predictable.

Tagged with: Miriam Horwitz Sherry Coley State Bar Steve Levine

High court to discuss tribal-court transfers, civil legal services

January 20, 2016 9:33 am Leave a comment

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled Friday to take up various attempts at changing the rules related to attorney conduct, the transfer of circuit-court cases to tribal courts and the channeling of money to civil legal services.

Tagged with: Bob Gagan State Bar Wisconsin Supreme Court

Bar’s test program aimed at setting new lawyers up with mentors

January 12, 2016 2:41 pm Leave a comment

When the State Bar of Wisconsin began searching for examples to follow when establishing a new lawyer-mentoring program, it didn’t have to look far.

Tagged with: Dane County Bar Association State Bar

Arbitration over State Bar dues underway after initial sputter

January 11, 2016 11:33 am Leave a comment

Despite a delay over the choice of an arbitrator, a dispute over mandatory State Bar dues is heading toward arbitration, with response briefs due Jan. 22.

Tagged with: Bobbi Howell State Bar William Conley

Oshkosh, Minocqua attorneys vying for State Bar’s top spot

December 18, 2015 8:34 am Leave a comment

A general practitioner from Minocqua and a bankruptcy attorney from Oshkosh are running for State Bar president.

Tagged with: Paul Swanson State Bar

State Bar hosting first law, biotechnology conference

December 11, 2015 1:00 pm Leave a comment

The Wisconsin State Bar is hosting its first event to bring together experts in science, business and law.

Tagged with: State Bar

State Bar launching financial program

November 4, 2015 3:10 pm Leave a comment

The State Bar of Wisconsin has launched a statewide program to teach students and adults financial literacy.

Tagged with: State Bar

State Bar weighs in on proposed unemployment benefits ban

September 29, 2015 1:50 pm Leave a comment

The state’s mandatory professional organization for lawyers is opposing a bill that would ban people who defraud the state’s unemployment insurance program for seven years.

Tagged with: State Bar unemployment

Board of Governors supports e-filing petition, tribal court transfers

September 28, 2015 3:29 pm Leave a comment

The State Bar’s Board of Governors has voted to oppose a petition that would eliminate a rule that lets the circuit courts transfer cases to the tribal system.

Tagged with: e-filing State Bar

Paying the bar tab: Keller dues at heart of latest State Bar skirmish

August 4, 2015 12:29 pm Leave a comment

"The Kingstad decision (of 2008) established the parameters and the bar has complied with those parameters," said Bobbi Howell, a lawyer who represents the State Bar. "I don’t think the law has changed with that regard.”

The latest development in a long-festering dispute over mandatory dues finds the Wisconsin State Bar once again preparing to go to the arbitration table to fight off a challenge of its ability to collect money for purposes that members might object to.

Tagged with: George Brown John Sobotik State Bar Steve Levine