Dec. 4, 2019 – The benefits are many, say those who have served as leaders in their State Bar division. Now is the time to apply to run for a leadership position in your division.

The State Bar divisions are accepting nominations for candidates for their 2020 elections. Here's where you can find out more about running for a leadership position with the Government, Nonresident, and Young Lawyers Divisions.

Information about Division Leadership Elections

• Most positions are for two-year terms. The president-elect serves for one year before becoming president for a year, followed by serving another year as past president.

• Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to run for all State Bar leadership positions.

• Persons elected take office July 1, 2020.

• Nominations for all positions are due Jan. 31, 2020.

Members of the Senior Lawyers Division with questions about division elections should contact Michelle Sherbinow at the State Bar.

Serving in a leadership position in a State Bar of Wisconsin division is “a fantastic opportunity to make connections throughout the state,” says Joe Cardamone, president of the Government Lawyers Division.

Government Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31

The Government Lawyers Division (GLD) addresses the concerns of government-employed attorneys. The division includes state attorneys, state public defenders, state prosecutors, corporation counsel, family court commissioners, city attorneys, U.S. attorneys, and others.

Open positions for GLD leadership for next year are:

• president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president)

• three Board of Directors positions (2 year term)

Serving as GLD leadership is a natural extension of the commitment to public service that government lawyers make, says Joe Cardamone, GLD president. “It’s also a fantastic opportunity to make connections throughout the state.”

“I believe that all lawyers have an interest in the common good, but for those of us who have chosen to practice in the government sector, it becomes a commitment to public service,” Cardamone said.

“Working with others who have made that same commitment across the various levels of government – local, state, and federal – provides a way to reinforce and replenish the passion for that work, while at the same time ensuring that the State Bar is mindful of the needs of fellow government lawyers.”

The GLD board meets three times a year in person, and two times via teleconference. Mileage is reimbursed. The president also serves on the State Bar Board of Governors.

To apply: GLD members should email a statement of interest and headshot photo to Michelle Sherbinow by Jan. 31, 2020. Please limit statement of interest to 250 words.

Nonresident Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31

The Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) promotes greater communication and business opportunities among nonresident lawyers, and organizes and oversees the growing network of local State Bar chapters across the United States.

Open positions for NRLD leadership for next year are:

• president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president)

• five Board of Directors positions (2-year term)

NRLD President-elect Anu Chudasama urges division members to run for officer and board member positions in the division for 2020-21.

“Serving on the NRLD board is a fun and rewarding experience,” Chudasama said. “It connects you with other nonresident lawyers with ties to Wisconsin. In addition, you work with the incredible staff of the State Bar of Wisconsin and other instrumental players.”

“Service on the board is also a fantastic way to volunteer your time for the benefit of all NRLD members around the country,” she said.

The NRLD board meets two times a year in person, and four times via teleconference. The division president-elect also attends the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors' meetings. Travel is reimbursed.

To apply: NRLD members should email a statement of interest and photo to Michelle Sherbinow by Jan. 31, 2020. Please limit statement of interest to 250 words. A nominating committee will recommend a slate of candidates for the election.

For more details about the nomination review process, see the Nonresident Lawyers Blog on WisBar.org.

Young Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31

The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is committed to providing leadership training, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities to its members.

Open positions for YLD leadership for next year are:

• president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president)

• secretary (2-year term)

• treasurer (1-year term)

• five Board of Directors positions (2-year terms)

Serving on the board, says YLD President Emily Stedman, is “an invaluable experience. It allows me to meet and network with other new lawyers from across the state. It has also provided me the opportunity to craft CLE programming, volunteer, and give back to the legal community.

“Representation from diverse areas of the state is so important to the success of our division,” Stedman said. “Members from all areas of the state are encouraged to run. You will not regret taking advantage of this opportunity.”

The YLD includes lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36. The YLD board meets four times a year in person, and one time via teleconference. Travel is reimbursed. The past president also serves as the YLD representative on the State Bar Board of Governors.

To apply: YLD members should email a statement of interest and photo to Michelle Sherbinow by Jan. 31, 2020. Please limit statement of interest to 250 words.

Vote in April: Look for Your Electronic Ballot

All State Bar elections, including for the GLD, NRLD, and YLD, will be held via an electronic ballot.

Ballots are emailed by the second week in April, and the election closes at noon Central Time on April 24, 2020.

To ensure you receive your State Bar election ballot:

• Add noreply@directvote.net as an approved sender in your inbox sometime before April 1. This prevents the ballot from being identified as spam.

• If you are a member of more than one division, the email will contain all of the ballots and candidate statements for any division in which you are eligible to vote, in addition to State Bar officer and Board of Governors’ candidates.

• If you have placed any holds on emails from the State Bar, you may not receive an electronic ballot. Contact Customer Service at (800) 444-9404 to verify that your account is set up to receive your email ballot.

State Bar members with no email address on file will receive paper ballots. Paper ballots will be mailed on April 8, 2020.