March 18, 2009 – The 2009 State Bar Annual Convention, Wisconsin’s largest annual gathering of the legal profession, offers many networking events in addition to instruction that earns attendees up to 16 CLE credits and 13 EPR credits. The convention will be held May 6 - 8 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.
Wednesday. As the convention opens, attendees are invited to meet representatives from suppliers that tailor their products and services to the legal community, at the Legal Expo. Exhibits are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
A representative from Fastcase will be on hand, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m, to demonstrate key features and answer questions about this free State Bar member benefit. Law firms of all sizes are finding Fastcase to be a great approach to accessing unlimited, online legal research. At this session you will learn how to search the comprehensive 50-state and federal case-law database including coverage of federal appellate and bankruptcy courts; the U.S. Supreme Court and Wisconsin statutes, the Administrative Code, Supreme Court rules, the Constitution, and many other public records, forms, and related material.
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson will join the State Bar in honoring attorneys who were admitted to practice in 1959 at the Members’ Recognition Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. During the luncheon the Bench and Bar Committee, Nonresident Lawyers Division, Senior Lawyers Division, and State Bar President Diane Diel will present awards to lawyers who have made a difference in the legal profession.
The Nonresident Lawyers Division will honor Ben Strauss, Northbrook, Ill., with the NRLD Founder’s Award, formerly the Dick O’Melia Award, which recognizes a nonresident member who has brought positive change to the division and has actively participated in State Bar activities for many years.
Senior Lawyers Division will honor Jack DeWitt, Madison, with the Leonard L. Loeb Award, which recognizes a senior lawyer who has improved the legal system and shown leadership in advancing the quality of justice for all.
The Bench and Bar Committee will present two judicial awards. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Michael N. Nowakowski will receive the 2008 Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award. Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Tom R. Wolfgram will receive the 2008 Judge of the Year Award.
State Bar President Diane Diel will present the President’s Award which recognizes people who have served with distinction during her term to Jim Cole, Greg Van Rybroek, both of Madison, and Mark Pennow, Green Bay.
Greet old friends and make new ones at the opening reception, 4:30 - 6 p.m. While there, chat with more than 25 Legal Expo vendors to find solutions to practice issues, from investigative services to legal research.
Thirteen attorneys who have provided outstanding volunteer service will be honored at the Volunteer Lawyers Recognition Celebration, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. All convention registrants are invited to attend this event, as well as the opening reception. Both events are included in your convention registration.
Lawyers and judges 60 years and older are invited to a complimentary Senior Lawyers Division reception, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday. Begin your day with a complimentary continental breakfast, 8 - 8:30 a.m., in the Legal Expo area. The Legal Expo is open until 4:45 p.m. on Thursday and includes mid-morning and mid-afternoon refreshment breaks.
Attend the Spotlight CLE Program, The Right to Die in America: Its Constitutional, Legal, and Medical Impact, featuring William H. Colby, Center for Practical Bioethics, Kansas City, Mo., from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. Colby represented the family of Nancy Cruzan in the controversial right-to-die case, the first such case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Choose from two CLE box luncheons on Thursday. Each luncheon will be submitted for up to 1.0 CLE credit: Government Relations Program on State Budgeting Process, a legislative perspective of the state budget; or Law Office Management Section/Practice 411/Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators, Increasing Revenue: Unlocking the Profit Potential of Your Firm. These luncheons are not included in any convention package; costs $25. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
Join Douglas Kammer as he is sworn in as the 54th State Bar president at 5 p.m. Attend a free reception in his honor immediately following the ceremony.
Join the Wisconsin Law Foundation in recognizing Charles E. Hanson, La Crosse, with the Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award at 7:30 p.m. The Goldberg Award recognizes lifetime achievement of legal professionals who have a record of service to the profession and to the public.
The Friends of Bill W. Open Meeting is scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Coffee will be served. If you have thought about attending an AA meeting, or are a regular attendee already, please plan to join.
Friday. Talk about the business of lawyering at the 29th annual breakfast symposium, sponsored by WILMIC and the Law Office Management Section, 7:15 - 8:20 a.m. Be sure to preregister for this event; it is not included in any convention package and is $10. Sign up today, as seating is limited.
Or, begin your day with a complimentary continental breakfast, 8 - 8:30 a.m., in the Legal Expo area. The Legal Expo is open until 11:30 a.m. on Friday and includes a mid-morning refreshment break.
All Nonresident Division members attending the convention are cordially invited to join division officers and board members at a complimentary luncheon sponsored by the Nonresident Lawyers Division.
