Inside the Bar
August 2008
State Bar lauds legislators for their work on
a sound and just state legal system
On June 27, the Legislative Oversight Committee recognized Sen. Mike
Ellis
(R-Neenah) and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) for their work on
campaign
finance reform, Rep. Pedro Colon (D-Milwaukee) for his work on notarios
legislation,
and Rep. John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac) for his work on guardianship
statutes.
The State Bar created the biennial Scales of Justice Award in
2004
to recognize and thank policy makers for working to remove barriers and
enhance access to the justice system.
"The State Bar's charter includes the responsibility to
improve and aid
in the development of law and the administration of justice," said
John
Walsh, committee chair, who presented the awards. "We go to the
Legislature and
carry out that responsibility with what we think are good ideas,
reforms,
or explanations of what is wrong with something that is proposed. Today
we recognize legislators who deserve special recognition for helping us
to
meet that goal."
Sen. Ellis and Sen. Erpenbach were recognized for their efforts
to
achieve judicial campaign finance reform. "There is nothing more
fundamental to
our judicial system than the faith citizens have in the fairness and
impartiality
of the courts," said Walsh. "The infiltration of special
interest money and
third-party groups into our judicial elections threatens to undercut the
very foundation of that confidence. The leadership senators Ellis and
Erpenbach
have exercised on behalf of meaningful campaign finance reform points
Wisconsin
in the right direction, and I hope that the Legislature will soon enact
the
changes we urgently need to bolster continued public confidence in the
fairness of
our courts."
Rep. Colon was recognized for his leadership in enacting 2007
Wisconsin
Act 110, which addressed the practice of Hispanic immigrants being
misled
into thinking that notary publics are licensed to practice law.
"This new law
has helped put an end to a scam that used confusing similarities between
English
and Spanish terms to take unfair advantage of vulnerable
individuals," said
Walsh. "Act 110 is one example of how Wisconsin can protect the
public from
individuals who engage in the unlicensed practice of law. We are very
pleased that
Rep. Colon exercised effective leadership to help end this form of
exploitation."
Much-needed reforms to safeguard another class of vulnerable
citizens
were enacted over the past two sessions under the leadership of Rep.
Townsend.
"His work to gain passage of 2007 Wisconsin Act 45, and 2005
Wisconsin Acts 387 and 388,
has greatly improved the protective placement process that at-risk
individuals, families, care givers, and professionals must navigate to
achieve the
optimal outcome for individuals in need of protective services,"
said Walsh.
"The reforms championed by Rep. Townsend enhance both the
administrative
efficiency and the legal safeguards of the placement process, which will
make a
real difference for affected individuals and families across the
state."
Inside the
Bar
