Jan. 14, 2026 – The benefits are real – and the lawyers who have led State Bar of Wisconsin divisions will tell you why. If you’ve been thinking about stepping up, now is the time to apply for a leadership role.
Three State Bar divisions are accepting nominations for candidates for their 2026 elections: the Government Lawyers Division, Nonresident Lawyers Division, and Young Lawyers Division.
About Division Leadership Elections
Most positions are for two-year terms. The president-elect serves a one-year term before serving a one-year term as president, followed by serving another year as past president.
Persons elected take office July 1, 2026.
Nominations for all positions are due Jan. 31, 2026. Voting takes place in April.
Members of the Senior Lawyers Division with questions about division elections should contact Karen Beall at the State Bar.
Jump to information about elections for:
Find out more about State Bar elections – including for 2026 – on WisBar’s elections page. The elections page will be updated throughout the election season.
Find out about other State Bar leadership opportunities through divisions, sections, and committees.
Government Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The Government Lawyers Division (GLD) addresses the concerns of government-employed attorneys. The division includes state attorneys, state public defenders, state prosecutors, corporation counsel, family court commissioners, city attorneys, U.S. attorneys, and others.
“Being involved in leadership of the GLD provides lawyers with the opportunity to connect with colleagues from other geographic and subject matter areas, to improve the practice climate for all government lawyers, and to help cultivate law student interest in public sector legal work,” says GLD President Julie Wilson.
“Serving in leadership also ensures that the State Bar's deliberations on cutting-edge issues impacting the practice of law consider the unique perspective of government lawyers. Serving on the GLD Board has been a personally and professionally enriching experience. It has been lovely to be able to call upon current and former board members for their expert thoughts on an issue of law, and to have made friends along the way," says Wilson.
Open positions for GLD leadership for 2026-27 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president); and
three board of director positions (2-year term).
The GLD board typically meets five times per year, twice remotely and three times in person. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. Board members are expected to serve on at least two GLD committees which meet virtually throughout the year. The past president also serves on the State Bar Board of Governors and Executive Committee. More information on GLD elections can also be found in the division bylaws.
To apply: GLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to divisions@wisbar.org by Jan. 31, 2026.
Nonresident Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) promotes greater communication and business opportunities among nonresident lawyers, and organizes and oversees the growing network of local State Bar chapters nationwide.
NRLD President Jeffrey O'Brien encourages division members to run for a director position in the division.
“Service on the NRLD Board has been a great way for me to increase my involvement with the State Bar of Wisconsin,” he says. “With almost one-third of the State Bar’s members practicing outside of Wisconsin, the NRLD plays a large role in State Bar activities. I have met and become connected with other NRLD members during my time on the board and my involvement has elevated my practice within the state.”
Open positions for NRLD leadership for 2026-27 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term);
five board of director positions (2-year term).
The NRLD board typically meets two times per year in person and four times virtually. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. Board members are expected to serve on at least two NRLD committees, which meet virtually throughout the year. The division president-elect, president, and past president serve on the State Bar Board of Governors.
More information on NRLD elections can also be found in the division bylaws.
To apply: NRLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to divisions@wisbar.org by Jan. 31, 2026. A nominating committee will recommend a slate of candidates for the election. Voting takes place in April.
Young Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is committed to providing leadership training, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities to its members, who are lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36.
"In my eight years as a lawyer, I have spent five serving as a director on the board of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD), and I wouldn't want it any other way,” said YLD President Samantha Baker. “I whole-heartedly believe that getting involved in State Bar leadership adds an essential element to a new lawyer's practice. It provides a sense of camaraderie and reassurance at a time when many things are new and uncertain.”
“Serving on the YLD board allows new attorneys to explore all that the State Bar has to offer, while providing a means to advocate for the things that are most important to us as new lawyers. Not to mention the skills one gains as a board member are extremely transferrable to legal practice – whether that be public speaking, time management, or advocacy – and the relationships that one creates are both professionally and personally rewarding. I cannot recommend getting involved in State Bar leadership enough – especially through the YLD," says Baker.
Open positions for YLD leadership for 2026-27 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term);
five board of director positions (2-year terms).
The YLD includes lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36. The YLD board typically meets four times per year in person and one time virtually. Travel to in-person meetings and networking events across the state is expected and will be reimbursed.
Board members are also expected to serve on at least two YLD committees, which meet virtually throughout the year. The past president also serves as the YLD representative on the State Bar Board of Governors and Executive Committee.
More information on YLD elections can also be found in the division bylaws.
To apply: YLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to divisions@wisbar.org by Jan. 31, 2026.
Vote in April: Look for Your Email Ballot
All State Bar elections (including for State Bar divisions and sections) will be held via an electronic ballot in 2026, starting April 9, 2026.
The election closes at noon Central time on April 24, 2026.
Please note: If you have placed any holds on email from the State Bar, you may not receive an electronic ballot. Contact Customer Service at (800) 444-9404 to verify that your account is set up to receive your email ballot.
State Bar members with no email address on file will receive paper ballots. Paper ballots will be mailed on April 8, 2026.
