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.

Save The Date!

April 28, 2009 at the UW-Madison Pyle Center

Click here to submit a workshop proposal

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• Committee Roster
• Summary of Strategic Plan
• Petition to create Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission

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Programs

• Pro Bono Initiative - grants of up to $5,000 are available to establish or expand pro bono projects. Download grant application 270 KB.   The Legal Assistance Committee generally reviews grant requests on a rolling basis as long as funds are available.  Any specific deadlines are announced in Bar publications.
  • Examples of projects funded include new legal clinics in La Crosse and Portage Counties, a new bankruptcy help desk at the federal court in Milwaukee and a new training/referral program for volunteers on political asylum cases. 
  • State Bar members who volunteer with projects funded through the Initiative are covered by the free professional liability insurance through the State Bar for their volunteer work through these projects.
• 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 - due as stated in the nomination form.  The awards are presented at Annual Convention during the Volunteer Lawyers Recognition Celebration.

Committee Resources

• Petition to create Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission - as approved by the Board of Governors on June 27, 2008.
• Access to Justice Study Committee - The committee's final report and recommendations are here.
• Pro bono page 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