April 28, 2023 – Jane E. Bucher of Russell Law Offices, S.C., Brodhead, is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin. In the elections ending April 28, 2023, Bucher defeated Marisol González Castillo of Madison by 1,699 votes to 1,368.Bucher will serve a one-year term as president-elect starting July 1, 2023, before succeeding Dean Dietrich of Wausau on July 1, 2024, as State Bar president.Bucher is a senior attorney with Russell Law Offices, S.C. She practices family…
Continue Reading State Bar President-elect Post Goes to Jane Bucher

Lawrence Bugge served as State Bar president 1980-81.

April 27, 2023 – A leader who dealt with tough issues facing the profession and State Bar. A “wise, kind man—and a brilliant lawyer,” say peers of Lawrence J. Bugge, who recently passed away. Bugge is a former president of the State Bar of Wisconsin (1980-81).

“He demonstrated leadership qualities in each and every endeavor that he participated in,” said State Bar Past President Franklyn Gimbel (1986-87), who knew Bugge from…
Continue Reading Lawrence Bugge: ‘Brilliant Lawyer,’ State Bar Leader

April 27, 2023 – Democracy and the rule of law seem to be in retreat throughout the world: not only in Iran, Russia, and Hong Kong but also in countries such as Mexico, Poland, and Hungary.

What has happened to civics, civility, and cooperation, the cornerstones of our democracy? How are we weathering the challenges of the past several years? What is the condition of our democracy and do we continue to be committed to maintaining the principles that…
Continue Reading May 1 is Law Day: Help Us Support the Cornerstones of Democracy

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul addressed the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors. April 17, 2023 – Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul addressed the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors at its April 14 meeting.

Kaul, a State Bar member since 2007, was elected attorney general in 2018. He won re-election in 2022.

Kaul said that the top priority of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is public safety.

Other priorities, according to Kaul, include consumer protection,…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul Addresses State Bar Board of Governors

Daniel Kelly and Janet Protasiewicz squared off at a forum hosted by the State Bar.​March 21, 2023 – Two weeks before the April 4 election, the candidates for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court debated the issues facing the state’s highest court.Dan Kelly and Janet Protasiewicz are vying to replace Justice Patience Roggensack, who’s retiring after 20 years on the supreme court.The State Bar of Wisconsin hosted the debate at the State Bar Center in Madison, in…
Continue Reading Candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court Debate at State Bar Center

March 17, 2023 – The Wisconsin Supreme Court has re-elected Chief Justice Annette Ziegler to a second two-year term as chief justice.“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the court system and the people of Wisconsin,” Chief Justice Ziegler said in a press release issued on March 16. “I am fortunate to work with a group of very talented and passionate people, who understand and appreciate the role of the courts in our justice system and in our…
Continue Reading Ziegler Re-elected as Chief Justice of Wisconsin Supreme Court

March 10, 2023 – Leaving a legacy of leadership in his profession and community, Myron LaRowe, U.W. 1965, passed away early in the morning hours on Friday, March 10, 2023.

LaRowe, a longtime small-firm Reedsburg attorney, was past president (1981-82) of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and active in many State Bar leadership roles throughout his career – most recently on the State Bar Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) board of directors.

LaRowe, said State Bar President Margaret Hickey, always…
Continue Reading Myron LaRowe: A Leader in Service to Bar, Profession, Community

Board of Governors Chair Kristen Hardy comments during the meeting.Feb. 27, 2023 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 52-member Board of Governors adopted an updated policy position on bail reform at its meeting on Friday, Feb. 24.

At the September 2022 meeting, the board discussed the proposed new policy at length. At that meeting, President Margaret Hickey – who was a member of the Policy Committee during the bail reform discussion – said the proposed new policy was worded…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Approves Updated Bail Policy, Discusses Budget

Tony Earl, a former Wisconsin governor and State Bar of Wisconsin member for nearly 60 years, is remembered as a dedicated public servant who brought dignity and integrity to the legal profession. Feb. 23, 2023 – Anthony “Tony” Earl, a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin for almost 60 years, passed away Feb. 23, 2023, at the age of 86. A 1961 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Earl served as the state’s 41st governor from…
Continue Reading Wisconsin Gov. Tony Earl: ‘The Best in Public Service and the Legal Profession’

From left, candidates for election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court: Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow, former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Everett Mitchell, and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz. Jan. 10, 2023 – At a forum in Madison yesterday, four candidates running for election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court discussed their judicial philosophies and provided other insights on how they would handle the role as a state supreme court…
Continue Reading Candidates Provide Insight at Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Forum

Kristen Hardy, chair of the Board of Governors, and State Bar President Margaret Hickey get into the spirit of the season. Dec. 5, 2022 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors on Dec. 2 voted to support a rules petition filed by the Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) that would make it easier for Wisconsin attorneys to accept electronic payments into trust accounts.
Rule Petition 22-05, if approved by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, would amend Supreme…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Supports Rules Petition on E-Payment for Trust Accounts

Every day, we see examples of members who donate their time and talent not only to the State Bar of Wisconsin, but also to the communities in which they work and call home.Attorneys and judges are busy people. Sometimes it may feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to volunteer between other professional activities, all while trying to achieve work-life balance. But countless State Bar members volunteer every day, with or without recognition.Your volunteer efforts – whether…
Continue Reading Thanks-For-Giving!