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Dec. 7, 2023 – More than 40 lawyers gathered at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee for the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2023 Diversity Counsel Program on Monday, Dec. 4.

The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity and Inclusion Oversight Committee organized the program, emceed by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Kori Ashley.

Launched by the State Bar in 2004, the Diversity Counsel Program was modeled after the original American Bar Association Minority Counsel Demonstration Program.

Originally designed to increase…
Continue Reading Diversity Counsel Program: ‘There’s a Space for You Here’

Dec. 5, 2023 – Ralph Cagle was a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend “to countless individuals,” say many of those who worked with him during his career as a Madison attorney and law professor.

Ralph M. Cagle served 2015-16 as the 60th president of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He was elected president-elect in April 2014, succeeding Robert Gagan as president.

Cagle passed away Dec. 1, 2023, at the age of 78.

He was a champion of lawyers and…
Continue Reading Celebrating the Life and Career of Ralph Cagle: Teacher, Mentor, Friend, Leader

Dec. 1, 2023 – A striking addition to the lobby at the State Bar of Wisconsin Center in Madison is a monument to both access to justice and the dedication and impact of rural and small-town lawyers.

After the State Bar Board of Governors’ meeting on Friday, Dec. 1, board members, State Bar leaders, attorneys, and community members gathered in the rotunda of the State Bar Center for the unveiling of a medallion donated by the late Myron LaRowe,…
Continue Reading ‘Justice on Main Street’: Commemorating Rural and Small Town Lawyers

Dec. 4, 2023 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors heard a report on Dec. 1 on a
Rules Petition 23-05, which would provide for expedited review of criminal pre-trial competency rulings. The rules petition was filed by the Wisconsin Judicial Council.

Wis. Stat. section 971.14 sets the process for determining whether a criminal defendant is competent to stand trial.

According to the memo filed in support of the rules petition by the Judicial Council, neither…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Hears Reports on Rules Petition, Rural Practice Efforts

Thanksgiving and the holiday season hold a special meaning to us, and whether you celebrate these occasions or not, we want to extend our gratitude and thanks to you and your family for your dedication, contributions, and personal sacrifices you make toward the profession and the clients you serve. In particular, we want to thank:

  • The Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices and our judges around the state for the crucial role they play in upholding our legal system. They are

…
Continue Reading Thank You for Working Toward Justice in Wisconsin

Nov. 1, 2023 – Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette Ziegler used her third State of the Judiciary address on Nov. 1 to highlight ongoing concerns with judicial security and statewide mental health.

For the second straight year, Ziegler began her address, which took place at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Judicial Conference, by discussing the ongoing threat to judicial security.

In last year’s address, Chief Justice Ziegler used the murder of Juneau County Circuit Court Judge…
Continue Reading State of the Judiciary: Chief Justice Ziegler Again Highlights Judicial Security

Oct. 24, 2023 – Attorneys from across Wisconsin gathered at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Oct. 19-20 for the State Bar of Wisconsin’s annual Solo and Small Firm Conference (WSSFC).

Presenters discussed the effect artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other technological advances are likely to have on solo and small-firm attorneys. Attendees attended several networking receptions and sampled goods and services from dozens of vendors.​
Treat AI ‘Like an Intern’
Ben Schorr, a senior content program manager…
Continue Reading AI, Ethics, Lawyer Wellness Top of Solo and Small Firm Conference

The soon-to-be Wisconsin lawyers thank their family and friends for their support, after taking the Attorney’s Oath before the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. For more photos of the event, visit the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook photo albums for the
1:30 p.m. ceremony and the
2:30 p.m. ceremony. Photos: Shannon Green and Jeff M. Brown.

Sept. 28, 2023 – They are the first in their families to earn a law degree and those continuing…
Continue Reading Admissions by Bar Exam: Welcome to 56 New Wisconsin Lawyers

During the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors meeting in Sheboygan on Friday, Sept. 22, Appellate Section chair Matthew Pinix discusses a rule petition filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Sept. 25, 2023 – Members of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors recently authorized the Appellate Practice Section to oppose, on its own behalf, a rules petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court that would make it easier for an appellate court to stay a circuit court…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Authorizes Appellate Section to Oppose Rule Petition

Kelli Thompson is pictured in this photo from 2011.Sept. 1, 2023 – Kelli Thompson, Wisconsin’s State Public Defender for the last 12 years, recently announced that she is stepping down from the agency, effective Oct 9, 2023.In her announcement, issued by the Wisconsin State Public Defender Office, Thompson said:It has been a privilege to serve as the Wisconsin State Public Defender. The role of public defender is critical to protecting the rights of clients and the principles of liberty,…
Continue Reading Kelli Thompson Stepping Down as State Public Defender

Aug. 24, 2023 – The State Bar of Wisconsin has recently made changes to its email security to better protect against spam, fraud, and phishing attempts.

Each email received by the State Bar is examined to make sure that the incoming email is being sent from a recognized and valid source.

For those that do not appear to originate from a recognized and valid source, it may mean emails that are rejected or delayed in their delivery.

That creates…
Continue Reading Problems with Emails to the State Bar? Please Update Your Email Security Settings

The State Bar Nonresident Lawyers Division board met and celebrated Wisconsin at the Milwaukee Annual Conference. Visit the
photo albums on the State Bar’s Facebook page for more scenes from the conference. ​
June 19, 2023 – More than 500 people recently attended the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Annual Meeting and Conference (AMC) at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, including around 400 members and a record-setting number of state and federal judges.From the opening plenary session on “cancel culture”…
Continue Reading Tips and Takeaways from the 2023 Annual Meeting and Conference

Judge Randy Koschnick, Director of State Courts, gave opening remarks at the June 14 meeting of the State Bar Board of Governors. Koschnick noted recent successes, including a unanimous vote from the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to increase funding for the criminal justice system. With final approval, the funding will increase pay for prosecutors and public defenders, and increase the hourly rate paid to private bar attorneys​​ who take appointments from the public defender’s office. He also said…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Votes to Establish Special Purpose Trust, Among Other Actions

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New State Bar of Wisconsin President Dean Dietrich accepts a gavel from immediate Past-president Margaret Hickey. The gavel is symbolically passed from each past-president in attendance to the new State Bar president to underscore the history and continuity of the office. Visit the State Bar’s Facebook page for more photos of this event, or click here.

June 15, 2023 – A glance at Dean Dietrich’s resume proves that he has passion for serving the legal profession.

Dietrich, who…
Continue Reading Privileged to Serve: Dean R. Dietrich Sworn in as 68th State Bar President

In the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hearing Room in Madison, U.W. Law School graduates and soon-to-be Wisconsin lawyers take the Attorney’s Oath at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony. See more photos of the event on the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page.​ June 1, 2023 – They gathered together with family and friends in the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hearing Room – 149 recent graduates of the U.W. Law School – to be sworn in as new Wisconsin lawyers. Before the…
Continue Reading UW Admissions: State Bar Welcomes 149 New Lawyers

In the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hearing Room in Madison, soon-to-be new Wisconsin lawyers take the Attorney’s Oath. For additional pictures, see the photo albums on the ​​​State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page​. May 24, 2023 – They are all new lawyers headed into practice in sports law, public interest law, mergers and acquisitions, business law, and more. Before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in six separate ceremonies, 167 new Wisconsin lawyers – new alumni of Marquette University Law School…
Continue Reading Marquette Admissions: Welcome to 167 New Wisconsin Lawyers