The media plays a key role in shaping the public's perception of the legal system. Each year, through the Wisconsin Gavel Awards competition, the State Bar Media-Law Relations Committee recognizes articles and broadcasts that foster understanding of the legal system or further its improvement.
September 2004
State Bar recognizes outstanding legal reporting
The media plays a key role in shaping the
public's perception of the legal system. Each year, through the
Wisconsin Gavel Awards competition, the State Bar Media-Law Relations
Committee recognizes articles and broadcasts that foster understanding
of the legal system or further its improvement.
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2003 Golden Gavel Award recipients included: (from left) Bill
Lueders, acccepting for his father Bill Lueders, Isthmus;
Robert Zintara, New Richmond News; Andy Hall and Dee J. Hall,
Wisconsin State Journal; and State Bar President Michelle
Behnke
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State Bar President Michelle Behnke presented the awards at the Board
of Governors meeting on July 23.
Wisconsin State Journal reporters Dee J. Hall, Andy Hall,
Scott Milfred, and Anita Clark wrote a series of articles titled
"Justice for Sale," which uncovered the unethical practices of former
Outagamie County District Attorney Vince Biskupic, who was rebuked by
the Wisconsin State Ethics Board for allowing individuals to avoid
criminal prosecution by paying significant sums of money into various
funds directed by Biskupic himself.
New Richmond News reporter Robert Zientara was recognized
for his article, "No Lawyer No Problem," about pro se litigants. The
article described the difficulties faced by the court system and
unrepresented people who wish to access it and outlined a program being
developed by the St. Croix Valley Bar Association to alleviate this
growing problem.
Isthmus news editor Bill Lueders was recognized for his
article "Supreme Choice," detailing last year's race between Pat
Roggensack and Ed Brunner for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Lueders
developed important ideas about the effect judicial candidates'
political ideologies can have on their rulings as judges and that
decisions are not always just about the rule of law. He scrutinized the
candidates' opinions and rulings to capture their often-elusive
political leanings on various issues.
Golden Gavel Certificate of Commendation recipients include: Joe
Knaapen, Door County Advocate, "Lawyer Regulation;" Sid
Schwartz, The Janesville Gazette, "A Case of Mistaken
Identity;" and Dan Sprehe and Marge Pitrof, WUWM-FM, "Changing
Juries."
Visit www.wisbar.org/gavel
to read this year's winning entries.
Inside the Bar
