Director of State Courts Audrey Skwierawski gave opening remarks at the Board of Governors meeting in La Crosse, noting the Wisconsin Court System’s major initiatives.
June 11, 2026 – The imminent end of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s fiscal year signals time to prepare for the new year and its challenges.
The 53-member Board of Governors (Board), kicking off the Annual Meeting & Conference in La Crosse, prepared through new appointments and elections for Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027).
Bylaws changes and proposed Supreme Court Rules will continue to involve discussion.
But first, the Board heard an update on the administrative work of Wisconsin’s third branch from the Director of State Courts Judge Audrey Skwierawski.
Skwierawski began by reflecting on her 30 years of state service, “a journey that has meant so much for me.”
It all began for her while growing up. Her father showed her the courthouse and later invited her to watch trials.
Courthouses, Skwierawski said, “are a second home to me.”
Board chairperson Jennifer Johnson prepares to open and conduct her last meeting as chair.
Court System Initiatives
With that grounding powered by current insights, Skwierawski began a rapid-paced briefing of Wisconsin’s court system initiatives.
Director Skwierawski highlighted the budget cycle ahead, noting the Wisconsin Court System currently receives 0.33% of the total biennial state budget of about $11 billion.
Challenges of technology and shortages of people affecting the delivery of justice summarize most of the initiatives to keep Wisconsin courts ready for change.
Foremost, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee is working to create policies addressing the benefits and challenges of new AI technology.
The committee’s work will include both “inward facing” policies, ensuring confidentiality and transparency for the court’s work, and an “outward facing” policy that would govern how lawyers practice.
A workgroup continues to discuss how the court should fill requests for digital audio recordings of court proceedings, instead of requests for transcripts, Skwierawski said.
Section Leaders Council Rep. James Goldschmidt and Native American American liaison Martina Gast engage in conversation before the board meeting begins at the La Crosse Center. Goldschmidt reported on efforts currently underway to develop a new “legal advocate” role for non-lawyers as one path to improve access to justice in Wisconsin.
The digital audio recordings could contain confidential information requiring redaction become the raw materials for AI deepfakes, Skwierawski said.
With a rule petition to the supreme court expected this fall, requests for recordings would likely include a formal process to the circuit court, including a hearing to balance whether the recording or the transcript would be best to provide, Skwierawski said.
Counties face costs for technology in courtrooms, and the court system is looking for ways to increase use of Zoom for hearings, an advantage that can help lawyers cover underserved rural areas, Skwierawski said.
The court system remains focused on encouraging people who can serve as interpreters for a population speaking more languages, Skwierawski described.
While looking for more ways to attract attorneys to rural areas, use of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), approved earlier this year for its first use for the July bar exam, may draw more lawyers to Wisconsin, Skwierawski said.
The portability of UBE scores between states reduces a barrier for lawyers from other states to move to Wisconsin and for more graduates to take the bar exam in Wisconsin, Skwierawski said.
“I think it’s going to make a difference for us,” Skwierawski said.
Governance Bylaws
Proposed bylaws for operations during a state or national emergency and changing the definition of “Executive Committee” in Supreme Court Rules (SCR) 10.04 and SCR 10.06 to include the secretary and treasurer did not draw discussion.
After the Board’s approval, the changes next go to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for review.
Proposed bylaw changes affecting SCR 10.04, relating to State Bar officers, and SCR 10.05, relating to the Board, came back revised based on discussion at the April 10 meeting.
The proposed bylaw would create a process for removal of governors or officers because of misconduct.
After some discussion on the proposal, the Board decided to remove the matter from the action items. Governors were encouraged to email suggestions and concerns to the Governance Committee for a clean copy for review at a later Board meeting.
Dist. 6 Gov. Melissa Spindler (center) and Dist. 1 Gov. Haley Jo Johnson share a laugh with other members before the Board of Governors meeting begins.
Elected Members to Executive Committee
Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 10.06 required the Board to elect six members to the Executive Committee for FY 2027.
The reelected members include Section Leaders Council Rep. James Goldschmidt and Dist. 2 Gov. Anna Muñoz. New members on the committee include Kathryn M. Bullon, new Dist. 9 Gov. Gail C. Groy, Treasurer Steven J. Krueger, and new Dist. 2 Gov. Mary Schanning.
The rule empowers the Committee to “exercise all the powers and perform all duties of the [Board] between the meetings of the [Board],” with a few exceptions.
The Committee also includes the State Bar president, the president-elect, the immediate past-president, the chairperson of the Board, and one representative each from the Nonresident Lawyers Division, Government Lawyers Division, Young Lawyers Division, and Senior Lawyers Division selected from their Board representatives.
Outgoing State Bar President Dan Gartzke, who has an affection for marbles, gifted a marble to each member of the Board.
Chairperson of the Board
The Board approved outgoing Dist. 9 Gov. Elizabeth Fernandez to serve as Board chairperson, replacing Jennifer L. Johnson, who completed her term as chairperson for FY 2026.
Christina Plum (left), a State Bar of Wisconsin delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates, enjoys her marble from outgoing State Bar President Dan Gartzke. Incoming Dist. 9 Gov. and outgoing Dane County Bar Association President Gayle Groy enjoys the moment.
Board Vacancies
Two Board vacancies occurred after the spring elections due to the absence of any candidate for the seat. The Board uses an established process to fill these vacancies.
The State Bar notified by email all active status attorneys in the district, as well as local bar associations, specialty bar associations, and affinity groups. Each candidate submitted a written statement of interest outlining their qualifications.
In District 4 covering northeastern Wisconsin, the Board voted for Suzanne Caulfield of Sheboygan.
In District 9, which comprises Dane County, the Board voted for Erica Lopez of Madison.
Board members respond to a straw poll on certain proposed bylaw changes under consideration.
Consent Agenda
Approval of Appointments to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF) Board. President Dan Gartzke requested Board approval of four appointees to the WisTAF Board, including three attorneys and one non-attorney.
The appointees approved include Rochelle Johnson-Bent of Milwaukee and new SecretaryBasil Buchko of Oneida, both for a second term. New members appointed include Saveon Grenell of Milwaukee and non-lawyer member Felicia Krueger of Ruder Ware in Wausau.
Election of State Bar of Wisconsin Delegates to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates (HOD). The Board re-elected Tatiana Shirasaki of Juneau, and elected Dist. 2 Gov. Vincent Bobot of Milwaukee. Jose Castro, of Denver, a previous Young Lawyers Division delegate, was also elected.
The delegates represent the State Bar in two-year terms on the ABA’s governing body, which meets twice a year. The HOD next meets Aug. 3-4 as a part of the ABA Annual Conference, July 29 through Aug. 4, in Chicago.
Formalizing Audit Committee Roster. The Board approved the following slate to serve on the Audit Committee for FY 2027. Returning members include Sherry Coley as chair, Grant Birtch, Thomas Phillips, David Werwie, and Alexander Lemke. New members include Dist. 9 Gov. Sam Wayne and non-lawyer committee member Edward McManus.
The first meeting of the FY 2027 will take place on Sept. 16, at the State Bar Center in Madison.
Board members show off their marbles from outgoing State Bar President Dan Gartzke at the close of the last Board meeting of the fiscal year.
Presidential Awards and Outgoing Members
Outgoing President Dan Gartzke presented three Presidential Awards, given to State Bar members who have been instrumental in furthering the goals of the State Bar and the president during the president’s term.
Diane Ballweg. In recognition of her service as a Supreme Court Appointee to the Board.
Ryan Billings. In recognition of his service to the State Bar through his exceptional leadership and commitment to service.
Jennifer Johnson. In recognition of her service as chairperson of the Board.
Gartzke also honored the following Board members, terming off the Board, for their dedicated service and years of leadership.
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From left, Immediate Past President Ryan Billings, Board chair Jennifer Johnson and Diane Ballweg, Supreme Court appointee to the Board, all received Presidential Awards for their service and leadership.
Members may obtain a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the Board of Governors by contacting State Bar Executive Coordinator Kim Jansen by email or phone at 608-250-6106.