State Bar of Wisconsin

Sign In
Graphic - Jellybean the Cow

Top Link Bar

    Maintenance Notice: WisBar.org will be undergoing site maintenance on May 22nd from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Some functions of the website may be unavailable during this period.

Past WLF Grant Recipients

The Wisconsin Law Foundation (WLF) is a charitable and educational organization that serves to promote public understanding of the law, improvement of the administration of justice and other law-related public service through funding of innovative and creative programs that improve the vision of the American justice system.

Wisconsin Law Foundation Grant Recipients

Since the WLF was incorporated in March 1951 the following grants were funded through the generosity of WLF members, the Fellows, and individual donations.

Grants Awarded in 2011 (July 2010 – June 2011)

 
Awardee Awarded For Awarded
ABC For Health Grant was used to develop and publish a consumer publication that will help consumers understand the programs, policies, and rules being implemented in Wisconsin because of the Affordable Care Act. ABC plans to integrate elements of The Consumer's Companion: A Legal Guide to Health Care Reform in Wisconsin, which will be updated annually, into newsletter articles for publication in The BadgerCare Bulletin. ABC also will post video clips to its website that reinforce some of the commonly asked questions on health reform in Wisconsin, especially elements of public benefits applications and troubleshooting, private insurance rights, responsibilities, appeals, and transparency. $1,973
Eastern District of Wisconsin Bankruptcy Help Desk Grant was used to continue its Pro Se Help Desk program. Since its inception several years ago, this project has had the unanimous and enthusiastic support of the four members of the Eastern District bankruptcy bench. The need for this service has increased dramatically after the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which increased the procedural difficulty for unrepresented people who want to file bankruptcy. The number of consumer bankruptcy filings continues to climb. In 2010, the help desk served approximately 1,000 visitors who needed legal assistance and were unable to afford legal representation. $2,000
CentroLegal Grant for $2,000 was used to support Family Law Outreach Classes, which educate individuals about the family court system to help them make informed decisions about their legal situations and needs. The classes educate participants about the processes and procedures of family court, offer a basic understanding of family law issues and terminology, explain the types of remedies available and not available through litigation, break down pervasive myths and misconceptions about family court, and educate participants about the resources available at the courthouse. In 2010, CentroLegal opened 473 new client cases and served nearly 1,000 individuals through free consultations and family law information classes. These offerings have become an essential part of CentroLegal’s programming as it strives to reach more individuals who would otherwise face the legal system uninformed. $2,000
Crawford County Teen Court Teen court programs typically hear the cases of juveniles between the ages of 12 and 17 who have committed their first non-violent offenses or who are minor repeat offenders. The goals are restitution to the community and victims and giving youth an opportunity to become accountable for their behavior and develop as responsible citizens. $1,695
Grant County Teen Court Task Force Teen court programs typically hear the cases of juveniles between the ages of 12 and 17 who have committed their first non-violent offenses or who are minor repeat offenders. The goals are restitution to the community and victims and giving youth an opportunity to become accountable for their behavior and develop as responsible citizens. $1,953
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Familiarizes students with the American legal system with students participating in a trial simulation as lawyers and witnesses. $6,000 awarded.

Judicial Teachers Institute:

A professional development program for public and private school secondary social studies teachers. $4,000 awarded.

 $10,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2010 (July 2009 – June 2010)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
ABC for Health Grant was to create a private insurance and national health reform legal education workshop and a health reform guidebook. The workshop and guidebook will be for attorneys, health care consumers and professionals, local and county public health departments, and advocates serving individuals across the age, income, and disability spectrum. ABC for Health plans to develop a timely, easy-to-understand resource designed to be useful to both consumers and professionals working in law and health. Together, the training and guidebook will improve knowledge for attorneys and professionals of legal rights and options to connect to appropriate public and private insurance programs and challenge health care coverage denials, benefitting potentially hundreds of families throughout Wisconsin. $1,740
Eastern District of Wisconsin Bankruptcy Help Desk Grant was to continue the popular and successful Pro Se Help Desk program in the Eastern District Bankruptcy Court. Since its inception several years ago, this project has had the unanimous and enthusiastic support of the four members of the Eastern District bankruptcy bench. The need for this service has increased dramatically after the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, which increased the procedural difficulty for unrepresented people who want to file bankruptcy. The number of consumer bankruptcy filings continues to climb. $2,000
CentroLegal Grant was to support Family Law Outreach Classes, which educate individuals about the family court system to help them make informed decisions about their legal situations and needs. The classes educate participants about the processes and procedures of family court, offer a basic understanding of family law issues and terminology, explain the types of remedies available and not available through litigation, break down pervasive myths and misconceptions about family court, and educate participants about the resources available at the courthouse. $2,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Familiarizes students with the American legal system with students participating in a trial simulation as lawyers and witnesses. $6,000 awarded.

Judicial Teachers Institute:

A professional development program for public and private school secondary social studies teachers.

We the People:

Allows high school students an opportunity to learn about the legislative system through first-hand simulation.

 $12,500

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
  

Grants Awarded in 2009 (July 2008 – June 2009)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
ABC for Health ABC for Health plans to develop a timely, easy-to-understand resource designed to be useful to both consumers and professionals working in law and health. Together, the training and guidebook will improve knowledge for attorneys and professionals of legal rights and options to connect to appropriate public and private insurance programs and challenge health care coverage denials, benefitting potentially hundreds of families throughout Wisconsin. $1,475
Director of State Courts Interpreter Project Grant was used to fund a two-and-one-half-day training in September for court interpreters of refugee and rare languages. Carmel A. Capati, Court Interpreter Program Manager says, "According to the Migration Policy Institute, between 2000 and 2007, the foreign-born population in Wisconsin has increased 30.1 percent, from 193,751 to 252,150. As a result, there are more families and individuals from other countries appearing in circuit court proceedings with language and other cultural barriers. To ensure equal access, most courts around the state rely on interpreters regularly. Locating trained and qualified interpreters for less common languages has been problematic for courts. On occasion, the courts have brought interpreters from other states at considerable expense or have set matters over because of an inability to locate a qualified interpreter." $2,000
CentroLegal Grant was used to focused the Family Law Outreach program on creating the class curriculum and translating it into Spanish. CentrolLegal has refined their educational materials and streamlined their presentation style. To date, they have offered 23 family law classes – 20 in English and 3 in Spanish. The courses were hosted by nonprofit organizations and community groups and attendance was driven by the host organization's effort to recruit participants. $2,000
Waukesha County 180° Juvenile Diversion Program Grant used to help 14-20 year old youths that commit a first-time misdemeanor or low-level felony who decide to turn their lives around and begin a new path. During the nine-month Waukesha County 180° Juvenile Diversion Program, participants attend classes that address many of the criminogenic factors leading to delinquent behavior. Participants meet for two to three hours two nights a week for 14 weeks, which is followed by six months of case management, similar to probation, and a commitment to 40 hours of community service. Upon completion of the program, charges may be dropped or reduced at the discretion of the district attorney. Clients are referred to the program from the District Attorney’s Office, Health and Human Services, State Public Defender, courts, police officers, lawyers, and parents. $2,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Familiarizes students with the American legal system with students participating in a trial simulation as lawyers and witnesses. $6,000 awarded.

Judicial Teachers Institute:

A professional development program for public and private school secondary social studies teachers. $4,000 awarded.

We the People:

Allows high school students an opportunity to learn about the legislative system through first-hand simulation. $4,000 awarded.

 $14,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today. 
 

Grants Awarded in 2008 (July 2007 – June 2008)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Fair Wisconsin
La Crosse County Peer Court
Shee Yee Community of Milwaukee, Inc.
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education
Wisconsin Judicare, Inc.

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today. 
 

Grants Awarded in 2007 (July 2006 – June 2007)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Benedict Center Grant went toward an educational CLE conference for legal professionals focusing on the role of race, ethnicity, and culture in the American legal system. The forum will examine the notion of the "cultural defense" in civil and criminal cases. Event organizers include the Wisconsin Organization of Asian Americans, Wisconsin Asian Bar Association, and Asian Pacific American Law Student Association/South Asian Law Student Association. $1,500
Community Legal Services Grant went toward an educational CLE conference for legal professionals focusing on the role of race, ethnicity, and culture in the American legal system. The forum will examine the notion of the "cultural defense" in civil and criminal cases. Event organizers include the Wisconsin Organization of Asian Americans, Wisconsin Asian Bar Association, and Asian Pacific American Law Student Association/South Asian Law Student Association. $2,000
Dodge County Community Teen Court Grant used to support the county's teen court program, which benefits youth and the community by providing an alternative method of adjudicating first-time juvenile offenders. $600
Personal Development Center Grant used to enhance a program that provides a safe, conflict-free environment for children to have healthy positive contact with their parents who are struggling with domestic abuse, custody, or visitation issues. $2,000
Marinette County Teen Court Grant used to help support the county's teen court program. $1,800
U.W. Law School Grant used to support sign language interpretation and translation of the Plea Questionnaire/Waiver of Rights (CR-227) for deaf defendants in the criminal justice system. $1,800
Wisconsin Judicare Inc. Grant used to increase access to justice for underprivileged pro se residents. The pilot project, which will target 13 of the 33 northern Wisconsin counties that Judicare serves, will educate pro se litigants about the court process through DVD programs. $2,000
Youth Service Bureau Grant used to assist in developing a teen court program in the St. Croix Valley. $2,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Two State Bar Law-related Education Judicial Teacher's Training Institute: A professional development program for public and private secondary social studies teachers, which provides the newest tools to teach students about the judicial system in Wisconsin and outlines the role of Wisconsin courts. Wisconsin Supreme Court justices, attorneys, teachers, and circuit court and municipal court judges participate in this two and one-half day program. $3,000 awarded.

Teens in the Law: A Parent's Resource: Provides basic information about the laws that have the greatest impact on families. Topics include criminal law, juvenile court proceedings, general parental rights and responsibilities, laws regarding school attendance, and laws regarding marriage and pregnancy. $5,000 awarded.

 $8,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today. 
 

Grants Awarded in 2006 (July 2005 – June 2006)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Community Adolescent Programs $2,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Familiarizes students with the American legal system with students participating in a trial simulation as lawyers and witnesses.

Judicial Teachers Institute:

A professional development program for public and private school secondary social studies teachers.

We the People:

Allows high school students an opportunity to learn about the legislative system through first-hand simulation.

Spanish Translation of On Being 18 booklet

 $18,300

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2005 (July 2004 – June 2005)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Advocates & Benefits Counseling (ABC) for Health Supports travel, materials and meetings for a legal education project regarding roadblocks to health care coverage and the assistance of families connecting to health care coverage and services. This grant help ABC for Health raise a 50% matching grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. $1,000
Benedict Center, Milwaukee This grant provides marketing and training costs for the Sentencing Advocacy Program supporting juveniles, adults and their families, and victims early in the criminal justice process in Milwaukee. $2,000
CentroLegal Funds are to be used for two brochures describing CentroLegal’s services and fee structure in conjunction with their plans for expansion of their services statewide. $1,000
Dane County Bar Associations This grant supports the Dane County Delivery of Legal Services Committee with funding for producing a series of DVS’s/videotapes directed at assisting pro se litigants through the divorce process. $2,000
Marquette University The Center for Dispute Resolution Education is supporting a study comparing participants' evaluation of their custody and placement mediation experiences. $2,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Dialogues on Democracy:

This program is a strong collaboration between five groups to present a democracy education program. Involved in the project are the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education Committee, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the UW- Madison School of Education. A grant of $2,500 was provided offset conference costs enabling teachers and citizens to register for the conference at a reduced rate.

Educational Publications:

Support from last year's grant has continued to support printing of these publications. Included in this year's grant was a Bill of Rights Teacher's Manual for $1,500.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

This year marks the establishment of the designated gift fund for the High School Mock Trial Tournament. The goal of this fund is to reduce the fee for schools participating in the program and assisting in the maintenance of this program far into the future.

Judicial Teacher Institute:

This annual program received funding for social studies teachers to better teach their students about the judicial system in Wisconsin and the role of our Wisconsin Supreme Court. Justices from the Court present their viewpoints on the judicial system. This represents $4,650 of this year’s LRE Grant.

 $8,650
Wisconsin Supreme Court This grant represents a large portion of the funding for a new juror orientation videotape in both video and DVD formats to be used in Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The video will be viewed by approximately 70,000 jurors throughout the state. $13,350

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2004 (July 2003 – June 2004)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Association for the Rights of Citizens with handicaps Assisted with the development and printing of 1500 brochures informing parents of their children's rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the availability of ARCh advocacy service as a means to resolve disputes. $500
Clark County Teen Court Provides a teen court where fair sanctions are handed out by a team jury to first-time youth offenders assisting them in making better choices next time. Crimes include misdemeanors or credence violations. The grant helped fund educational supplies for this program. $500
Economic Justice Imitative Economic Justice Institute Consumer Law Litigation Clinic educates consumers on their legal rights. They requested funds to produce an informational booklet. The grant funded publication costs. $750
La Crosse County Peer Court This program provides first-time, non-violent misdemeanor juvenile offenders an alternative to the criminal justice system. The goal is to promote behavioral change that leads to enhanced public safety. The program holds youthful offenders accountable in an effort to promote long-term behavioral change that leads to enhanced public safety. After graduating from the Peer Court Program, the juvenile's record is expunged allowing the youth a second chance. The grant covered a portion of their printing and publication costs. $250
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Educational Publications:

The grant of $4,500 was applied to expand the impact of the On Being 18 booklet to include versions translated into Spanish and Hmong. On Being 18 outlines the new rights and responsibilities of Wisconsin residents when they turn 18 years old.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

This grant provided $5,000 for this annual tournament involving more than 160 teams from high schools statewide. This program sheds light on the true image of lawyers and the service they provide to our communities. In addition to nearly 2,000 students, over 800 volunteers including attorney coaches, teachers and coordinators make this annual program possible.

Judicial Teacher Training Institute:

This annual program received $5,000 in support for social studies teachers to better teach their students about the judicial system in Wisconsin and the role of our Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. Justices from the Court present their viewpoints on the judicial system.

We the People Summer Institute:

This grant totaled $6,000 for the continuance of a program first funding in 2003 designed for teachers of social studies. It includes an intensive week- long seminar on the constitution and its ratification in the late 1700’s and early 1800's. Participating teachers use the information gained to better understand and ultimately teach this subject in their individual classrooms.

 $20,500
UW Legal Information Center The Legal Information Center ensures that all members of the Dane County community have access to legal information and are educated about their legal rights and responsibilities. The grant covered a portion of their printing costs for fliers and business cards used to promote this service and inform students and local residents of its availability. $250
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault Printing costs associated with informational materials provided to sexual assault service providers. $750

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2003 (July 2002 – June 2003)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
International Law Journal Funds assisted in the presentation of a symposium on the International Criminal Court. $500
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Educational Publications:

The grant was applied to reproduction costs of Adventures in Law Comic Books for primary grades and On Being 18 for graduating seniors at schools across the state.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Partial funding was provided for this annual program.

Judicial Teacher Training Institute:

This annual program supports social studies teachers to better teach their students about the judicial system in Wisconsin and the role of our Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. Justices from the Court present their viewpoints on the judicial system.

We the People Summer Institute:

Funding the premier of a program designed for teachers of social studies to experience an intensive week-long seminar on the Constitution’s development and history. The teachers use the information gained to better understand and ultimately teach the subject in their individual classrooms.

 $31,000
Supreme Court History Video Funding was provided to the Legal History Committee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Wisconsin's Supreme Court. The video is on display in the Supreme Court Hearing Room and educates the public visiting the Court throughout this year. $10,000
Wisconsin "Eye" Project (Start-up of C-Span) Funds were made available to support this project that helped to provide televised legislative hearings on cable television. $5,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2002 (July 2001 – June 2002)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Educational Publications:

Funds provided to assist in the production of several educational booklets the State Bar produces including On Being 18, Adventures in Law Comic Books, The Bill of Rights and others.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Partial funding was provided for this annual program.

Judicial Teacher Training Institute:

This annual program supports social studies teachers to better teach their students about the judicial system in Wisconsin and the role of our Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. Justices from the Court present their viewpoints on the judicial system.

 $35,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2001 (July 2000 – June 2001)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Barron County Task Force This project gained national prominence as a model for restorative justice programs. The grant provided some start-up moneys in the 2000 and 2001 fiscal years that got this program off the ground. The program helped Barron County face some serious issues facing their community with regard to juvenile delinquency, crime and victimization. Eventually became known nationwide as the Barron County Restorative Justice Program, Inc. $3,000
Community Adolescent Program (CAP) CAP is a private, non-profit organization providing a variety of services to delinquent and at-risk youth, their families, victims, and the juvenile justice system. This grant was directed toward Victim Offender Counseling (VOC). $3,000
Dane County Bar Association Juvenile Justice Video Grant funded a video presentation that depicted the juvenile justice process. The video informed children, adolescents and their teachers about the provisions of the Juvenile Code and the Juvenile Justice Process. $5,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Educational Publications:

Funds provided to assist in the production of several educational booklets the State Bar produces including On Being 18, Adventures in Law Comic Books, The Bill of Rights and others.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Partial funding was provided for this annual program.

 $20,000

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 2000 (July 1999 – June 2000)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Barron County Task Force This project gained national prominence as a model for restorative justice programs. The grant provided some start-up moneys in the 2000 and 2001 fiscal years that got this program off the ground. The program helped Barron County face some serious issues facing their community with regard to juvenile delinquency, crime and victimization. Eventually became known nationwide as the Barron County Restorative Justice Program, Inc. $3,000
Community Adolescent Programs CAP is a private, non-profit organization providing a variety of services to delinquent and at-risk youth, their families, victims, and the juvenile justice system. $3,000
DCB Juvenile Justice Video Grant funded a video presentation that depicted the juvenile justice process. The video informed children, adolescents and their teachers about the provisions of the Juvenile Code and the Juvenile Justice Process. $5,000
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education

Educational Publications:

Funds provided to assist in the production of several educational booklets the State Bar produces including On Being 18, Adventures in Law Comic Books, The Bill of Rights and others.

High School Mock Trial Tournament:

Partial funding was provided for this annual program.

Judicial Teachers Institute:

A program for social studies teachers to better teach their students about the judicial system and the role of our Supreme Court justices. Justices from the Court present their viewpoints on the judicial system.

 $20,000
State Public Defender Gideon Project The grant helped to further efforts to expand indigent defense systems in countries other than the United States. A delegation from Israel came during this fiscal year to gain advice and exchange ideas on these types of programs. This grant was given at the beginning of an established international program now known as Justice without Boarders. $500

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.
 

Grants Awarded in 1999 (July 1998 – June 1999)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
Barron County Task Force $3,000
Community Adolescent Programs $3,000
State Public Defender Gideon Project $500
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education $19,000

Grants Awarded in 1998 (July 1997 – June 1998)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education $18,838

Grants Awarded in 1997 (July 1996 – June 1997)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education $18,300
Wisconsin Humanities Council $1,162

Grants Awarded in 1996 (July 1995 – June 1996)

Awardee Awarded For Awarded
State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education $13,000

 

 

Memberships and general contributions to the Wisconsin Law Foundation make charitable grants possible.
Please consider joining the Foundation or making a contribution today.