State Bar of Wisconsin

Legal Assistance Committee

The Legal Assistance Committee, a standing committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin, develops and monitors State Bar programs to expand support for the delivery of civil legal services to low income and disadvantaged Wisconsin residents. Members of the committee typically include representatives from each of the federally funded legal services programs in the state, as well as representatives from other, non-federally funded programs, attorneys in private practice, judges and lawyers in government. The Committee meets four to five times each year.

Committee Roster

Programs

• Pro Bono Initiative - grants of up to $5,000 are available to establish or expand pro bono projects. Download grant application 270 KB.  
  • Examples of projects funded include new legal clinics in various counties, creation of a volunteer attorney help desk at the federal bankruptcy court in Milwaukee and a new training/referral program for volunteers on political asylum cases. 
• Free insurance for pro bono lawyers, Inside the Bar - January 2005
• State Bar Pro Bono Initiative kicks off "Just Take Two" program, Inside the Bar - January 2005 Take the pledge.
• Pro Bono Award Nominations Form  36 KB - due as stated in the nomination form.  The awards are presented at Annual Convention during the Volunteer Lawyers Recognition Celebration.  Previous award winners are listed here. 

Committee Resources

• State Bar Public Policy Positions
• Order  - creating the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission
• Petition to create Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission - as approved by the Board of Governors on June 27, 2008.
• Bridging the Justice Gap - report and recommendations of the State Bar's Access to Justice Study Committee.
• Pro Bono Resource Center on WisBar
• Commission on the Delivery of Legal Services Report
• ATJ Support.org - access to justice news and resources from around the country
• Unbundling Final Recommendations to the Board of Governors on Ethics 2000 48 KB
• Member Expense Reimbursement form 35 KB