Seen via Zoom in March, members of the Waukesha South High School Mock Trial team react to learning they will compete in the state final round. The team went on to win the round, and is representing Wisconsin in the virtual national tournament, May 12-15, 2021. Read more about their experience. The Wisconsin Law Foundation fully funds the Wisconsin High School Mock Trial program.

May 5, 2021 – Statewide programs supported by the Wisconsin Law Foundation – through generous donations from State Bar of Wisconsin members – have made major impacts.

Those include: reducing the chances of Wisconsin’s youth becoming victims of sexual exploitation and violence; educating Wisconsin teens in discovering the details of our justice system; encouraging lawyers to become the next generation of leaders in our profession; enhancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession; and supporting new lawyers who represent under-served populations, such as people of modest means and those who live in rural areas; and more.

“The Wisconsin Law Foundation needs the financial support of State Bar members to make a difference in our communities and our profession,” said Peggy Herlitzka, president of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

Herlitzka asks that you consider a gift to support the Foundation's programs via your dues statement.

Like many charities across the country, the pandemic has taken a toll on fundraising efforts this past year for the Wisconsin Law Foundation. The 2020 Fellows dinner, the Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event, was canceled last fall. In addition, with no in-person meetings hosted by the State Bar for over a year, donations of volunteer mileage reimbursement have become nonexistent. Your support to further the Foundation’s mission is needed now more than ever.

Any level of contribution is gratefully appreciated. "Your support goes directly toward vital statewide programs," said Herlitzka.

These programs include:

• High School Mock Trial, which brings our court system to life for over 1,300 high school students across the state.

• Diversity initiatives that seeds new initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion in our profession.

• Truman Q. McNulty Grants that fund innovative programs that improve our justice system, including supporting teen courts in our state.

• Donald O’Melia Scholarships for State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Summit participants to attend the Annual Meeting & Conference that encourage leadership and networking with their peers.

• G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy invests in the development of our profession’s next generation of leaders and is funded by the Foundation through the G. Lane Ware Leadership Designated Fund. Scholarships are available for those who need assistance attending the Academy.

• Bell Case La Follette Awards for lawyers in their first five years of practice to reduce debt and establish practices in underserved areas throughout the state.

It's easy to give: just add your contribution to line 9 on your State Bar dues statement. If a colleague fills out your form for you, just let them know you wish to make a contribution to the Wisconsin Law Foundation.

If you have already sent in your dues statement, you can make a donation online at wisbar.org/wlf.

"We sincerely appreciate any contribution amount. Thank you for your consideration and support," says Herlitzka.