Dec. 21, 2022 – The benefits are many, say those who have served as leaders in their State Bar of Wisconsin divisions. Now is the time to apply to run for a leadership position.
Three State Bar divisions are accepting nominations for candidates for their 2023 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.
Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to run for all State Bar leadership positions.
Persons elected take office July 1, 2023.
Nominations for all positions are due Jan. 31, 2023.
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:
“Service on the GLD board is a fantastic opportunity to connect with government lawyers from all over the state,” said Meighan Anger, GLD president.
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.
“Service on the GLD board is a fantastic opportunity to connect with and work with government lawyers from all over the state,” says GLD President Meighan Anger. “It is a valuable experience, and the board seeks diverse voices to advocate for all government attorneys.”
Open positions for GLD leadership for next year are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term);
treasurer (2-year term); and
three board of director positions (2-year term).
The GLD board typically meets three times per year in person and two times via teleconference. Mileage is reimbursed. The GLD president typically represents the division on the State Bar’s Board of Governors.
To apply: GLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2023.
Serving on the NRLD board is "a great way to network and learn more about the law.” said Kenechukwu O. Okocha, NRLD president.
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 directors decide the division’s priorities each year, and the board offers a great way to meet Wisconsin lawyers from around the U.S., says NRLD President Kenechukwu O. Okocha. “It’s a great way to network and learn more about the law.”
One of the more gratifying board member duty? “Determining how the State Bar serves its out-of-state members,” he said. “I encourage anyone who wants to have a voice on how the Bar serves, educates, and assists its lawyers both in Wisconsin and nationwide to run for a director position.”
Open positions for NRLD leadership for next year are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
treasurer (2-year term); and
five board of director positions (2-year term).
The NRLD board typically meets two times per year in person and four times via teleconference. Travel is reimbursed. Five representatives of the NLRD also serve on the State Bar’s Board of Governors: the president, president-elect, the immediate past president, and two additional elected members.
To apply: NRLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2023. A nominating committee will recommend a slate of candidates for the election.
Serving on the YLD board is an excellent place to meet other new attorneys, and “a great starting place into the wider world that is the State Bar of Wisconsin,” said Jose Castro, YLD president.
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.
The young lawyers on the YLD board “are driven to improve the experience that all new Wisconsin attorneys have when first joining the State Bar,” says YLD President Jose Castro.
Serving on the YLD board is an excellent place to meet other new attorneys, and “a great starting place into the wider world that is the State Bar of Wisconsin,” he says.
“Being on the YLD board pushed me to attend State Bar events, which helps me connect with folks from all over the state and working in all kinds of fields – helping me become a more well-rounded attorney and to develop a network of people that I can share information with,” Castro said.
Board service also offers opportunities to be a leader. “Whether planning events for YLD members or representing the YLD at State Bar or ABA events. My time in the board has opened doors to opportunities to contribute to the profession and my colleagues.”
“For these reasons, I would encourage anyone interested to run for a position within the YLD board,” Castro said.
Open positions for YLD leadership for next year are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
treasurer (2-year term); and
five board of director positions (2-year terms).
The YLD board typically meets four times per year in person, and one time via teleconference. Travel is reimbursed. The YLD’s immediate past president typically represents the division on the State Bar’s Board of Governors.
To apply: YLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2023.
Vote in April: Look for Your Electronic Ballot
All State Bar elections (including for State Bar sections and divisions) will be held via an electronic ballot in 2023. Ballots are emailed by the second week in April. The election opens on Thursday, April 13, 2023, and the closes at noon Central Time on April 28, 2023.
To ensure you receive your State Bar election ballot, add
noreply@directvote.net as an approved sender in your inbox sometime before April 1. This prevents the ballot from being identified as spam.
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 12, 2023.
