For Immediate Release
|
|
CONTACT: Christi Powers
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
cpowers@wisbar.org |
|
|
Vernon County Bar receives award for exceptional public service
MADISON, April 7, 2003 - The Vernon County Bar
Association garnered an exceptional achievement award on Friday in
Madison from the State Bar of Wisconsin. The award was presented at the
2003 Wisconsin Bar Leaders Conference (WBLC) that provides
lawyer-leaders from local bar associations a forum to network and share
ideas.
The award recognizes a two-year project spearheaded by the Vernon
County Bar in its efforts to establish a mediation service. The project
proposed that certain cases involving small claims, juvenile/victim
restitution, and minor post-divorce cases could be mediated rather than
sent to court. Mediation offers an alternative to court proceedings and
reduces judicial caseloads on minor matters.
With the State Bar grant, training sessions were conducted for
mediators to learn how to handle small claims and juvenile offense
cases. After researching other county mediation programs, Vernon County
ultimately created its own mediation service and has hired a part-time
staff member.
"The State Bar grant has allowed us to establish a small claims
mediation process that has reduced the court's caseload and speeded the
resolution of cases," said Atty. George Wilbur, who coordinated the
project. "More importantly, I believe the participants are more
satisfied with a solution they've created rather than a court
decision."
Hosted by the State Bar of Wisconsin, the WBLC is well into its 20th
year and recognizes county bar associations for volunteer and community
service projects. Nearly 100 participants representing more than 50
county or specialty bar associations attended the day-long event.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association,
created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a law
license in Wisconsin. With more than 20,000 members, the State Bar aids
the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides
continuing legal education for its members, and assists Wisconsin
lawyers in carrying out initiatives to educate the public about the
legal system.
For more information, call Kris Wenzel at (608) 250-6185
Press Releases