State Bar of Wisconsin

Vol. 72, No. 12, December 1999

President's Perspective

A Milestone for Civil Legal Services

By Leonard L. Loeb

For the first time in Wisconsin history, we have state-allocated funds to provide civil legal services by attorneys to low-income residents. The Biennial Budget Bill that Gov. Thompson signed into law on Oct. 27 includes $100,000 per year of the biennium for civil legal services. Strong public support, bolstered by the efforts of key organizations that came together for a common cause, led to this success.

The State Bar Board of Governors in November 1998 voted unanimously to adopt a legislative position endorsing state general purpose revenue to provide civil legal assistance by lawyers to low-income residents. The board's action allowed the State Bar Government Relations Team to work with the Equal Justice Coalition under the able leadership of John S. Skilton to advocate at the state Legislature for federal funds allocated at the state level. The Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation and the State Bar's pro bono program worked closely in the effort.

In addition to support in the legal community, there is broad public support for funding. According to a 1998 poll conducted on behalf of the Equal Justice Coalition, 79 percent of the public believe that the state should provide funding to low-income people who need assistance in civil cases such as domestic violence, special education, or child custody. The overwhelming public support came from people of different ages, occupations, education levels, income, and race.

The additional funding will be allocated to civil legal services programs around the state, including Legal Action of Wisconsin, Legal Services of Northeastern Wisconsin, Western Wisconsin Legal Services, Wisconsin Judicare, and others. The need is great. There are an estimated 162,734 low-income citizens in Wisconsin who are facing critical legal needs for which no assistance is available. As a result of the funding, an estimated 4,000 clients can be served annually.

A special thanks to Sen. Brian Burke and Sen. Gwendolynne Moore for sponsoring the budget amendment and to Rep. John Gard for his help in crafting the package. The proposal received bi-partisan support in the Joint Finance Committee and made its way successfully through both houses before it was signed into law by the governor.

Working together, we can accomplish great things.

Wisconsin Lawyer