State Bar of Wisconsin

State Bar elections

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About State Bar elections

Would you like to become more involved in State Bar activities? Consider serving your colleagues and helping shape the profession as an officer, Board of Governors representative, or a section or division officer.

Election ballots will be mailed by the second Friday in April, and ballots must be returned to the State by no later than the last Friday in April. Those elected will take office on July 1.

State Bar offices. The State Bar annually elects a president-elect, treasurer or secretary, and a Judicial Council representative. A Nominating Committee, appointed by the president, chooses two or more candidates to run for these offices. The Nominating Committee announces its slate of candidates by Dec. 15. Members also can self-nominate by submitting to the State Bar a petition signed by 100 active Bar members by Feb. 1. For more information or to receive a petition, contact Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106, (608) 250-6106.

Board of Governors. Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 elect governors in odd years. Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16 elect governors in even years. District 2 (Milwaukee County) elects seven governors in odd years and five governors in even years. District 9 (Dane County) elects three governors in odd years and four governors in even years, and all other districts elect one governor. The Board of Governors is the State Bar's policymaking body. Governors serve two-year terms.

To be considered for a seat on the board, members must submit a petition signed by 10 active members in their district to the State Bar by the first business day of March.

For more information, contact Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106, (608) 250-6106.

Divisions. The State Bar's Government Lawyers (GLD), Nonresident Lawyers (NRLD), Senior Lawyers (SLD) and Young Lawyers (YLD) divisions hold annual elections in April.

By mailed ballot, GLD members elect a president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and three division directors to serve two-year terms in odd years. Three division directors are elected to serve two-year terms in even years. GLD members interested in being nominated are invited to write to the GLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Feb. 1.

By mailed ballot, active and emeritus status NRLD members elect a president-elect for a one-year term, and a secretary, treasurer, and five directors to serve two year terms in odd years. In even years, a president-elect for a one-year term and five directors for two-year terms are elected. Those active and emeritus status NRLD members interested in running are asked to send their resumes and letters of interest to NRLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Jan. 15.

The following SLD positions are elected each spring: a president-elect for a one-year term, a secretary (in odd years), a treasurer (in even years), and three directors to serve two-year terms. According to the SLD bylaws, if the election is uncontested, no ballots will be mailed. Interested members are invited to write to the SLD Nominating Committee in care of the State Bar by Jan. 15.

Each April the YLD members elect the division president-elect by mailed ballot. Members interested in running for division president--elect are invited to write to the YLD Nominating Committee Chair in care of the State Bar by Feb. 1. YLD directors, the secretary, and treasurer are elected during the annual meeting in May, by nomination from the floor.

Sections. Members interested in running for board positions on any of the State Bar's 26 sections should contact the appropriate section chair.