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News and developments from the State Bar of Wisconsin.

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By: State Bar of Wisconsin​

Latest from WisBar News - Page 2

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The group of soon-to-be Wisconsin lawyers take the Attorney’s Oath in the Supreme Court Hearing Room. For more photos of the event, see ​the album on the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page. April 18, 2024 – A business lawyer from California, a journalist turned lawyer, a lawyer representing the third generation of lawyers in her family, and the first lawyer in her family. These describe some of Wisconsin’s newest lawyers, taking the final steps after passing…
Continue Reading Welcome to 11 New Wisconsin Lawyers

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District 2 Governor Karen Bauer speaks during the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governor’s discussion on the proposed FY 2025 budget on Friday, April 12.

April 12, 2024 – The State Bar of Wisconsin’s 52-member Board of Governors approved the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) budget at its meeting on Friday, April 12.

Paul Marshall, the State Bar’s chief financial officer, said that the initial submission of the FY 2025 budget revealed that…
Continue Reading State Bar Board Approves FY 2025 Budget, Takes Other Actions

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley gives remarks during an Admissions ceremony on Jan. 23, 2024, in the Supreme Court Hearing Room.

April 11, 2024 – Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley announced today that she will retire from the court when her term ends in July 2025. When she retires next year, she will have served 30 years as a justice, 40 years total on the bench.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to…
Continue Reading Justice Ann Walsh Bradley Announces Retirement from Supreme Court

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April 8, 2024 –The State Bar of Wisconsin has successfully defended its Diversity Clerkship Program and secured a settlement agreement with a plaintiff who challenged the program in federal court. The Diversity Clerkship Program will continue unchanged.

The State Bar’s Diversity Clerkship Program facilitates paid summer internships at private law firms, corporate legal departments, and governmental agencies in Wisconsin that choose to participate by coordinating opportunities for applicants to the Program to meet, interview, and be connected with those…
Continue Reading State Bar Successfully Defends Diversity Clerkship Program: Settlement Agreement Explained

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April 3, 2024 – The State Bar of Wisconsin has reached a settlement regarding its Diversity Clerkship Program, which was challenged in federal court. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) has agreed to dismiss this portion of the lawsuit after a clarification in the State Bar’s definition of “diversity.”

“The settlement clarifies the definition of ‘diversity’ but makes no changes to the program,” said State Bar Executive Director Larry J. Martin. “The Diversity Clerkship Program, which…
Continue Reading State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity Clerkship Program Continues Unchanged Under Settlement Agreement

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March 27, 2024 – State Bar of Wisconsin President Dean R. Dietrich lauded the enactment of bipartisan judicial security legislation today.

The package of three bills aims to bolster security for judicial officers by protecting personal information and shielding judges’ residences from protestors.

The bills were authored by Representatives Ron Tusler (R-Harrison), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee), and Sheila Stubbs (D-Madison), and Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and former Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee). Governor Tony Evers signed the bills into law during…
Continue Reading State Bar of Wisconsin President Lauds Enactment of Judicial Security Bills

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March 15, 2024 – Gov. Tony Evers today announced the appointment of State Bar of Wisconsin President-elect Jane Bucher to serve on the Green County Circuit Court (Branch 2), which leaves a vacancy in the president-elect post.

Bucher, a partner at Russell Law Offices S.C. in Monroe, was elected State Bar president-elect in 2023 and was set to become president on July 1, 2024. However, under Wisconsin Supreme Court rules, judges cannot serve as State Bar Officers or members…
Continue Reading President-elect Jane Bucher Appointed Judge, Leaving a State Bar Officer Vacancy

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State Bar President Dean Dietrich makes a point during the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors meeting in Sheboygan on Friday, Sept. 22. File photo.

Feb. 26, 2024 – During a virtual meeting on Friday, February 23, the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 52-member Board of Governors discussed, but took no action on, a proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025).

Paul Marshall, the State Bar’s chief financial officer, said that the initial…
Continue Reading Board of Governors Discusses FY 2025 Budget

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Jan. 30, 2024 – A fraudulent email scam is currently targeting State Bar of Wisconsin members.

A third-party entity has registered a deceptive domain,
member-wisbar.org, which closely mimics the State Bar’s official domain. This entity is sending emails containing malicious attachments, masquerading as communications from the State Bar of Wisconsin.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to the safety and security of all members. In taking precautions, here are some key points to note:

  • Email Origin: The fraudulent

…
Continue Reading Scam Alert: Beware of Email Scam Targeting State Bar of Wisconsin Members

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Emma Lou Hawley, Justis Hagberg, Laura Niesen, and Jonathon Bennett Young (from left) were among the 17 attorneys admitted to the State Bar on Jan. 23, 2024. For more photos of the event, visit the photo album on the State Bar of Wisconsin Facebook page. Photos: Jeff M. Brown.

Emma Lou Hawley, Justis Hagberg, Laura Niesen, and Jonathon Bennett Young (from left) were among the 17 attorneys admitted to the State Bar on Jan. 23,…
Continue Reading State Bar Welcomes 17 New Attorneys Through Diploma Privilege

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Jan. 5, 2024 – As a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, you may be aware that a lawsuit was filed last month against the State Bar in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, Inc. (WILL) filed the lawsuit on behalf of State Bar member Daniel Suhr.

Suhr challenges the State Bar’s Diversity Clerkship Program, alleging the Program is unconstitutional because it discriminates between students based on…
Continue Reading State Bar Will Vigorously Defend Constitutional Challenge to Diversity Clerkship Program

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. 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

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

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

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Continue Reading Thank You for Working Toward Justice in Wisconsin