Feb. 3, 2021 – Lawyers have an opportunity to represent Wisconsin and keep the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors informed of actions at the national level.

The State Bar of Wisconsin seeks two candidates for representative positions to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates for two-year terms.

Young Lawyer Sought for One Position

This year, one of the delegates elected for the new two-year term must be a young lawyer.

A young lawyer is defined by the ABA Constitution as a lawyer admitted to practice within the past five years or who is less than 36 years old at the beginning of the term.

About the ABA Delegates

The House establishes ABA policy, both as to the administration of the association and its positions on professional and public issues.

Delegates maintain a connection between the ABA House of Delegates and the State Bar Board of Governors. They monitor actions proposed by the ABA that will affect Wisconsin lawyers and apprise the State Bar’s Board of Governors of actions that it should act upon.

Delegates are elected during the State Bar Board of Governors’ June meeting.

The board elects five delegates in total to the ABA, each serving two-year terms. Two representatives are elected in odd-numbered years, and three representatives are elected in even-numbered years.

Delegate Responsibilities

Delegates are responsible for attending each meeting of the House, participating fully in its proceedings, and discharging the responsibilities of the House.

It is the responsibility of each delegate to keep his or her constituency fully apprised of the actions taken by the House, and, to the extent possible, matters pending before the House; and to assist constituent entities in presenting issues of concern for debate and action by the House.

How to Apply – Petitions Due April 15

Members interested in representing the State Bar in this capacity should review the State Bar Bylaws, Article III, Section 13, for election qualifications and procedure.

To apply as a delegate, download a nominating petition, which requires 10 signatures of the State Bar Board of Governors.

To apply as a young lawyer delegate, download the nominating petition for a young lawyer delegate, which requires signatures of four members of the Young Lawyer Division Board of Directors

File completed petitions with State Bar Executive Director Larry Martin by April 15. The petitions may be sent via fax, scanned and emailed, or via the U.S. Postal Service.

For more information email or call Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106, or (608) 250-6106.