Nonresident Wisconsin lawyers in Minnesota gathered for an outing in Minneapolis on May 12. The NRLD seeks leaders to help organize events for chapters around the U.S.
With almost 30 percent of its members residing and practicing outside the State of Wisconsin, the State Bar created the Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) as a mechanism to keep its members connected and involved, and their ties to Wisconsin active and based on real professional links.
The NRLD ensures the State Bar’s governance includes input from nonresident attorneys, whose practice circumstances may vary. Living and practicing outside Wisconsin does not mean being disconnected from State Bar membership benefits, professional networks, and having a voice in the Wisconsin legal community.
About Local Chapters
The NRLD supports such ties for its members is through activities organized by local chapters around the country.
Local chapters create tangible, community-based connections for Wisconsin-licensed attorneys living outside the state. Through chapters, members can network with fellow Wisconsin lawyers in their region, share professional resources, and stay informed about legal and State Bar developments in Wisconsin.
Chapters also offer opportunities for continuing legal education, mentorship, and professional connection. These activities help nonresident members stay engaged with the State Bar and maintain strong professional and personal ties to Wisconsin’s legal community, wherever they live or practice.
Chapter organization is largely informal, and depends on interested members who take the lead in organizing events. The State Bar offers resources to support such events, including funding for refreshments and receptions that foster networking and business opportunities with nonresident Wisconsin-licensed attorneys, visiting speakers from the State Bar and Wisconsin legal community, and CLE-related events.
Organizing Events
Proposals for hosting an event are welcome from all Wisconsin attorneys living outside Wisconsin, no matter where you are in the country. State Bar staff assist with organizing and planning events including finding event locations, contracting facilities and catering, inviting local members, and advertising event opportunities.
More information including a request form can be found on WisBar.org.
There is no minimum attendance requirement for an event, although organizers are encouraged to base planning on at least a dozen participants.
The highest concentrations of State Bar members are in the following urban areas:
- Chicago region
- Minneapolis - St. Paul
- Washington, D.C. and DMV
- Phoenix
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- Seattle
- Duluth
- Rockford
- Denver
Interested? Let Us Know
If you’re interested in hosting events, or in serving as a chapter president to lead the organization of activities in cooperation with other members, contact NRLD staff liaison Karen Beall at kbeall@wisbar.org.
Members of the NRLD Chapters Committee stand ready to partner with you, and serve as a link to the State Bar in coordinating related support, ideas, and resources.
This article was originally published on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Nonresident Lawyers Blog. Visit the State Bar Divisions page or the Nonresident Lawyers Division webpage to learn more about division membership.
