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  • August 01, 2004

    Inside the Bar August 2004: Board holds first meeting of fiscal year 2004-05

    At its first 2004-05 meeting in July, the Board of Governors approved a request to file a section amicus on frivolous findings, adopted a public policy position in support of legislation to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's proposed "no fax" rules, and discussed the Ethics 2000 Committee draft report (see article), among other actions.

    Inside the Bar
    August 2004

    Board holds first meeting of fiscal year 2004-05

    At its first 2004-05 meeting in July, the Board of Governors approved a request to file a section amicus on frivolous findings, adopted a public policy position in support of legislation to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's proposed "no fax" rules, and discussed the Ethics 2000 Committee draft report (see article), among other actions.

    Frivolous findings amicus. The board unanimously approved the Appellate Practice Section's request to file a section amicus brief in Howell v. Denomie (03-0979), pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

    At issue in the case is what procedures the court of appeals must employ before finding an appeal frivolous under Wis. Stat. section 809.25(3).

    "The Appellate Practice Section board advocates a 'bright line' rule, which would require a respondent who contends that an appeal is frivolous to present his argument in a separate motion," Michael Heffernan, section chair-elect, told the board.

    "The appellant would be given an opportunity to respond, and the court of appeals would be required to make specific findings regarding frivolousness. This rule would also apply to the situation where the court of appeals is reviewing a trial court finding of frivolousness," said Heffernan. "In other words, the court of appeals could no longer declare an appeal per se frivolous simply by affirming the trial court's finding of frivolousness."

    A reply brief was due Aug. 4. At press time, the case had not yet been scheduled for oral argument.

    "No fax" rules public policy position. The board adopted a public policy position in opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed rules, scheduled to become effective Jan. 1, 2005. The rules would require associations to obtain individual written consent of each of their members before sending unsolicited facsimiles containing information about products or services that could be characterized as advertising.

    The proposed rules eliminate the "established business relationship" exception to the "do-not-fax" rule under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Although the State Bar seldom faxes information of this type, the State Bar administration requested that the board adopt a public policy position in opposition to these rules and in support of legislation to overturn these rules.

    Other actions. Due to in-state membership rising above 14,000, the State Bar is eligible to elect a fifth delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. The board approved the addition. President Behnke will appoint a committee to study the funding, selection process, and reporting requirements of State Bar delegates. The two-year term for the fifth position begins at the end of this year's ABA convention in August.

    The board approved the appointment of Robert Goepel, Racine, to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF) board. WisTAF, which manages the state's Interest on Lawyers Trust Account program, provides financial support for the delivery of legal services to Wisconsin's poor.

    The board approved a resolution to recognize Rep. David Obey (D-Wausau) for his contributions to legal reform and the administration of justice. In 2003, Obey, a long-time supporter of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), successfully advocated before Congress on behalf of LSC to protect funding. LSC provides low-income persons with access to legal representation.

    Nicholas Zales, Milwaukee, will fill the Board vacancy created by the election of D. Michael Guerin as president-elect.

    The minutes will be posted on WisBar after approval at the September meeting.


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