Board members were invited to wear festive attire for the December 2025 meeting.
Jan. 28, 2026 – Serving on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Board of Governors offers lawyers a unique opportunity to strengthen leadership skills while contributing to the direction of the profession.
The State Bar is now accepting petitions from members interested in running for the 2026 – 27 term.
“Participating in leadership opportunities with the State Bar of Wisconsin helps to develop not only your reputation in the profession, but also your skills in critical thinking, communication, working together to create consensus, and overcoming adversity,” said Stephen Sawyer, State Bar president-elect. “Leading cultivates and improves the talents critical to outstanding attorneys.”
“Service as a leader in the State Bar means having an impact on the direction and goals of the organization. It gives you a voice in identifying problems facing the legal profession and an active role in developing strategies and implementing solutions to those problems,” Sawyer said.
Introducing the 2026 Officer Candidates
Here's where to find out about the 2026 State Bar officer candidates:
Candidates Needed for Board of Governors Positions; Submit Petitions by March 2, 2026
The
Board of Governors is the State Bar's policymaking body, and governors serve two-year terms.
Consider contributing your time and expertise as a Board representative. Members who wish to run for these positions must file a petition signed by 10 active State Bar members by March 2, 2026. To receive a petition,
see the form on WisBar.org, or
contact Kim Jansen via email or call (608) 250-6106.
Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16 will elect governors in 2026. District 2 (Milwaukee) will elect four; District 6 (Waukesha) will elect two; District 9 (Dane) will elect five; and all other districts will elect one governor.
For more information, visit the
Board of Governors’ page on WisBar.org, and complete the
nomination form. If you have questions, please
contact Kim Jansen via email or at (608) 250-6106.
Those elected will take office July 1, 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 April 24, 2026.
Please note: If you have placed any holds on emails 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 April 8, 2026.
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.
