Mar. 9, 2026 – As the Wisconsin Legislature closes out the 2025-26 legislative session and many senators and representatives return to their districts until January 2027, lobbyists are often asked, “what do you do between the end of one session and the beginning of the next?” The end of the session doesn’t mean the end of legislative work. The State Bar of Wisconsin’s lobbyists continue their work during the seven to eight months of the 'off-season' focusing on legislative-related matters and laying the foundation for what comes ahead.

One of the primary activities the lobbyists undertake between adjournment and the general election involves working with the State Bar’s lobbying sections as they look ahead to the next legislative session. The lobbying sections meet year-round, typically between four and six times per year, and while they often take positions on bills introduced by legislators or other advocacy organizations, many lobbying sections also develop their own legislative initiatives, which can take months to years before finalizing.

The legislative off-season is an excellent opportunity for the lobbyists to work with these groups to draft bill language, share with other stakeholders impacted by the changes and negotiate language, and begin crafting an advocacy plan for the upcoming legislative session.

The other major focus is legislative study committees. The legislative study committee process is an opportunity for legislators and members of the public to collaborate on timely, complicated issues and provide solutions to the Wisconsin Legislature for consideration in the next session. Study committees cover a wide range of topics, many of great interest to members of the State Bar.

Often the legislature appoints attorneys with issue-area expertise to the committees to benefit from their expertise and real-world understanding of an issue. Past topics include reducing recidivism, access to civil legal services, minor guardianship, and increasing offender employment opportunities.

The lobbyists attend these hearings irrespective of whether members of the State Bar are appointed and remain engaged in study committees’ work, often sharing the progress with the interested sections. Section members can then anticipate legislation they are likely to see in the next session and be prepared to lobby, should those efforts result in legislation.

Once the general election is over, there is an added responsibility for the State Bar lobbyists to get to know the newly elected legislators. It is important to identify their background, specifically noting if any are attorneys, and prepare to meet with each of the new legislators (and many returning legislators) to introduce them to the State Bar and its lobbying program once the new session commences.

If State Bar members are interested in speaking with the State Bar lobbyists about a legislative matter, please feel free to contact them – Cale Battles, cbattles@wisbar.org, or Lynne Davis, ldavis@wisbar.org.

What You Can Do: State Bar Advocacy Network

State Bar members are encouraged to send a message to their lawmakers expressing support on legislative topics which positively affect the legal system using the Advocacy Network. Pre-written email messages are editable to suit your own thoughts and opinions and help to demonstrate the breadth of support for policies that prioritize access to justice. You can also "Choose Your Own" to craft messages to any of your elected officials, from President of the United States down to your local municipal officials.

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