State Bar welcomes new members, 92 lawyers attend swearing in ceremonies

September 20, 2005

Ninety-two lawyers were admitted to practice in Wisconsin on Monday. Surrounded by family and friends, the lawyers were welcomed by members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, U.W. Law School Assistant Dean and Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) Board Member Kevin Kelly, State Bar President D. Michael Guerin, and Wisconsin BBE Director Gene Rankin.

Justices Louis B. Butler Jr., David T. Prosser, and Patience D. Roggensack administered the oath in the supreme court hearing room during three ceremonies throughout the day.

Justice Jon P. Wilcox, speaking on behalf of Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, reminded each group that as lawyers they have a responsibility to serve the public. Wilcox said, "The lawyers being sworn in today all have one thing in common. You chose to take the Wisconsin Bar exam, and you should be proud of yourselves." Referring to Wisconsin's diploma privilege, Wilcox noted that of the five justices at the ceremonies only Justice N. Patrick Crooks could identify with that accomplishment.

Following the swearing in ceremonies, Justice Crooks reminded the incoming lawyers, "As lawyers, we have a solemn obligation to carry on as others who have gone before us."

Using the words of President John F. Kennedy, spoken more than 40 years ago at a commencement ceremony, Crooks said, "As you look at the opportunities within your communities, remember, 'the water is fine, think about it and come on in' ... Be especially proud to be a part of the profession."

"The proudest day of my life was the day I became a lawyer," observed Guerin. "I hope you when you look back on this day years from now it will be your proudest day too. As lawyers we have several responsibilities as stated in the oath you just took – to be role models and to follow ethical guidelines are just two of them."

"We all know law school is stressful but you don't get to leave that behind," said Guerin "Being a lawyer can be quite stressful, and I urge you to connect with the State Bar for help. The State Bar of Wisconsin is your bar. The bar offers many opportunities from networking with other attorneys, to calling the WisLAP 24-hour helpline, to finding ways to serve the public," he said.

Following the swearing in ceremonies, the lawyers attended a reception at the Madison Concourse Hotel hosted by the State Bar. During the reception, each newly sworn in attorney signs the supreme court roll that has been signed by every lawyer admitted to practice in Wisconsin since the state was a territory.

The State Bar welcomes the following attorneys:

Of the 182 individuals who took the July 2005 bar exam, 139 passed representing 74 law schools nationwide. The State Bar also welcomes the 47 lawyers who did not attend the September swearing in ceremonies.