Elections are next week: Meet districts II and IV Court of Appeals candidates

This article is published courtesy of the March 2010 De Novo, the State Bar Appellate Practice Section newsletter.

On Tuesday, April 6, voters residing in Districts II and IV of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals will have the opportunity to elect a new judge to a six-year term on the state’s intermediate appellate court. In the race for the Waukesha-based District II seat, Waukesha County Circuit Court Judges Paul F. Reilly and Linda Van De Water are vying for the right to succeed Judge Harry S. Snyder, who is retiring after 19 years on the Court of Appeals. The contest for a position on the Madison-based District IV Court pits Richland County Circuit Court Judge Edward E. Leineweber against Dane County District Attorney Brian W. Blanchard. Both are campaigning for the seat currently held by the retiring Judge Charles P. Dykman, who has served on the Court of Appeals since its inception in 1978.

All four candidates graciously agreed to respond to a questionnaire submitted by Appellate Practice Section members Amelia Bizzaro and Rebecca Lawnicki of Henak Law Office, S.C., and Jake Wittwer, judicial clerk at the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. They thank the candidates for their participation. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 150 words per question.

District II (Calumet, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago counties)

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Paul F. Reilly

Education. I received my Bachelor of Business Administration (1984) and law degree (1987) from the U.W. - Madison.

Career. I was in private practice with Hippenmeyer, Reilly, Moodie & Blum, S.C., from 1987 until taking the bench in Waukesha County in 2003. I was the City Attorney for the City of New Berlin from 1997-2003. I was re-elected to a second six-year term on the Waukesha County Circuit Court in 2009.

I have served rotations in the Criminal (3 years), Civil (2 years), and Family (2 years) Divisions of the Waukesha County Circuit Court. My clerkship with the Court of Appeals during law school and my constant preparation for all cases that come before me have well prepared me for the intellectual challenge present at the Court of Appeals. I have received the respect and endorsement of District Attorneys, the defense bar and plaintiffs’ bar – all a testament to the fair and impartial manner in which I have presided over matters appearing before me. I have one of the highest affirmance rates among trial court judges serving more than five years.

Pro bono efforts or other community service. I have been extremely active in legal, charitable, and community organizations. I serve as a member of the Faculty for the Wisconsin Judiciary (teaching my fellow judges insurance and municipal law); an elected member of the Civil Jury Instruction Committee; am past-president of the Waukesha County Bar Association; co-founder of the Mukwonago Rotary Club; past-president of the Nelson Halfway House; past director of the Interfaith Caregiving Network; past legal counsel for Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County; a junior Olympic volleyball coach for six years; and active member of my church.

Why did you decide to run for a position on the court of appeals? The trade-off between being an appellate court judge versus a trial court judge is the loss of interaction with the public and trial counsel, countered by the collegiality of working with fellow appellate court judges in resolving matters brought before the appellate court. The reward of being a judge is the honor of participating in the peaceful resolution of disputes through the application of the rule of law.

Why do you think you are the best choice for the position? My experience while on the bench having served rotations in the civil, criminal, and family divisions as well as my 16 years of private practice serving legal needs spanning the spectrum of the law makes me the best choice for the position.

What is the nature of your appellate experience in state or federal court? While in private practice, I handled matters in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Judicial philosophy: Please describe your approach to judicial decision making. I believe the role of a trial court judge is to know the law and to be fully prepared for all matters coming before me by reading and analyzing pre-trial submittals; give litigants their day in court; and apply the law as it is written. The role of the Court of Appeals is to correct any legal errors that may have occurred at the trial court level. It is the purview of the Wisconsin Supreme Court to change/modify/expand the scope of the existing law as warranted.

Two of the last three supreme court elections were marked by record spending by third-party groups. Thus far, such groups have largely stayed out of court of appeals races. Do you favor increased public funding of judicial campaigns? Why or why not? Do you think supreme court justices, and perhaps court of appeals judges, should be appointed rather than elected? Why or why not? I do not favor public funding of judicial races nor appointed judges; while a judicial race is difficult both from a monetary perspective as well as the inability to campaign on a platform of ideas, the alternative of appointment or public funding results in the legislative and executive branches intruding into the independence of the judicial branch of government.

If you are elected, what do you expect will be the most challenging aspect of the transition from the circuit court bench to the appellate bench? The most challenging aspect of the transition from the circuit court bench to the appellate bench will be the loss of interaction with the attorneys and people.

What has been the most rewarding experience of your legal career? Being elected judge has been the most rewarding experience of my legal career.

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Linda M. Van De Water

Education. Judge Van De Water received a B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1985 and received her J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1988.

Career. She currently is a Waukesha Circuit Court Judge for Branch 10 and is the Presiding Judge for the Criminal Division. She is serving her second term and was elected in 2003. She also has worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Waukesha County, as an Administrative Law Judge in the Corrections Unit, as an attorney for the Department of Regulation and Licensing.

Pro bono efforts or other community service. She is involved in many professional and community service organizations, including: the Juvenile Jury Instructions Committee and the Planning, Policy and Advisory Committee. She is a former board member of the Kiwanis. She is a member of the Waukesha County Bar Association, the Wisconsin Trial Judges Association, and the National Association of Women Judges. She has volunteered as a Salvation Army Bell Volunteer and for Meals on Wheels.

Why did you decide to run for the court of appeals? After 10 years of trying cases in the trial courts, and seven years hearing cases as a circuit court judge, I felt I could best utilize my experience in the appellate process. I want to apply my background as a trier of fact in evaluating appellate briefs by analyzing and applying the law to the facts as determined by a trier of fact other than myself. It is this new perspective, coupled with the breadth and variety of cases decided at the appellate level that I find intellectually intriguing.

Why do you think you are the best choice for the position? My family has maintained a successful law practice in Sheboygan going back three generations. Rather than joining this private practice, I was attracted to dedicating my career to public service. I decided I could best serve the public in a law enforcement role and began my service as an Assistant District Attorney, and I currently serve as a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge. I have a strong work ethic, and I passionately believe in public service. I am serving my second elected term as a Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge and I am currently the Presiding Judge of the criminal division of judges in Waukesha County. I have previously prosecuted criminal cases as an Assistant District Attorney for Waukesha County for 10 years. I have also served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Wisconsin where I conducted numerous probation and parole hearings. During my tenure with Wisconsin Regulation and Licensing, I was responsible for enforcing business compliance with all Wisconsin administrative rules, regulations and licensing requirements. I believe my experience together with my passion for the position makes me the best choice for the appellate court.

What is the nature of your appellate experience in state or federal court? While working as an Assistant District Attorney for Waukesha County, we were fortunate enough to have most of our appeals handled by the Attorney General’s office, but as prosecutors, we handled the misdemeanors and any felony matters that the Attorney General chose not to pursue. As a Circuit Court Judge my decisions are frequently appealed in jury trials, trials to the court, and motions both during and post trial. I have personally been affirmed by the Court of Appeals, District II Court approximately 85 percent of the time.

Judicial philosophy – Please describe your approach to judicial decision making. I begin the decision making process by carefully listening to parties or reading the materials provided. I like to utilize a reasoned and thoughtful application of the law to the facts. I strive to pay particular attention to maintaining judicial precedent. I believe it is imperative that a judge apply the law and uphold the Constitution with a strict interpretation rather than legislate from the bench by imposing their personal philosophy and opinions to achieve a particular outcome.

What role do you believe that a judge’s life experiences should play in judicial decision making? I believe that a judge’s life experiences are an important factor in judicial decision making. Past experiences are crucial in helping a judge remain effective yet empathetic with litigants and defendants. Even though a judge cannot always do what is popular in a community, I believe that that past experience helps to impart the sense of community values and morals that can be crucial in deciding cases and determining sentencing.

Two of the last three supreme court elections were marked by record spending by third-party groups. Thus far, such groups have largely stayed out of court of appeals races. Do you favor increased public funding of judicial campaigns? Why or why not? Do you think supreme court justices, and perhaps court of appeals judges, should be appointed rather than elected? Why or why not? I am not opposed to some form of public financing for judicial races, which might limit the amount of influence a particular special interest group may exert, but it is important that we balance any constraints on spending limits imposed by the government with the preservation of a candidate’s first amendment rights. Campaigns are expensive, particularly in statewide or district races where significant funding is required to enable a candidate’s message to reach all of the voters in that district. Requirements for more detailed disclosures of funding sources from media advertisers and special interest groups may provide more accountability to the general public during contested elections and provide a more accurate identification of the funding source.

I am not in favor of appointing judges rather than electing them. I believe it is fundamental to our system of jurisprudence for the general public to be able to vote for the candidate with the philosophy, qualifications, experience and background that are in line with their own ideals. If all judges were appointed, I believe the public would have less faith in the judicial system. There can be a perception that the appointed are beholden to the appointers, and that a judge’s politics are of more importance than their qualifications.

If you are elected, what do you expect will be the most challenging aspect of the transition from the circuit court bench to the appellate bench? I am sure that I will truly miss the interaction with the public in the courtroom. I have always been a people person and meeting and helping the public in a face-to-face forum has always been important to me. Reviewing transcripts at the appellate level without the benefit of observing the witnesses in person to judge their credibility will be a difficult adjustment.

What has been the most rewarding experience of your legal career? There are so many experiences that it is impossible to choose any single one as the most rewarding. I have thoroughly enjoyed prosecuting criminal cases and witnessing the satisfaction evident in the expressions of victims when justice has prevailed and closure has finally arrived.

As a circuit court judge, I have been fortunate to have had the wonderful opportunity to help many young couples realize their highest dream by finalizing overseas adoptions. After all of the time, money and emotional upheaval, it is amazing to witness a new family, parents and child, positively beaming in my courtroom. With all the negativity surrounding the drama played out in many courtrooms, it is really a refreshing change to create a family complete with U.S. citizenship.

District IV (Adams, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Monroe, Portgage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood counties)

Brian W. Blanchard, Dane County District Attorneys Office

Education. JD, Northwestern University Law School, Order of the Coif, 1989; Editor-in-Chief, Northwestern University Law Review; Finalist, Julius Minor Moot Court Competition; BA, History, University of Michigan, with Honors, Honors College, 1980.

Career. Dane County District Attorney, elected November 2000, re-elected four times; Attorney, Quarles & Brady, Madison, 1997-2000 (civil litigation, trial and appellate levels); Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District Of Illinois, Criminal Division, 1990-1997; Law Clerk, Hon. Walter J. Cummings, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1989-1990; Summer clerkships in the civil practice of law (Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, 1987; Jenner & Block, 1988; Sidley & Austin, 1989); Reporter, The Miami Herald, South Florida, 1980-1986

Pro bono or other community service. Board member, Wisconsin District Attorney’s Association; Former chair, Dane County Coordinated Response to Domestic Violence; Member of both state and county task forces on the problem of disproportionate minority confinement; Founding Member, Dane County Sexual Assault Response Team; Board Member, Wisconsin Coalition Against The Death Penalty; Pro bono criminal defense cases, Quarles & Brady, 1997-2000; Former Member, Law For The Public Committee, Dane County Bar Association; Former Board Member, Meeting Housing Nursery School, Madison; Former Board Member, Chicago Council of Lawyers

Why did you decide to run for a position on the court of appeals? As members of the appellate practice section know well, service on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals calls for a strong work ethic given the high-volume nature of the court; broad knowledge of criminal and civil law; the desire to study and absorb significant amounts of written materials; strong writing skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely under deadline pressures; and the independence, integrity, and humility to make decisions based on the record and on the law, rather than on any preconceived notions or ideology. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to develop the kinds of legal skills and experience that will enable me to meet the demands of service on this court. I believe that my professional path since college has pointed toward this position, and it would be an honor to fill the position so ably held by Judge Charles Dykman.

Why do you think you are the best choice for the job? My broad legal experience, independence, and non-ideological approach distinguish my candidacy. I have more experience in appellate work (see below), along with extensive experience in both criminal and civil law. My opponent campaigns to be the court’s “rural voice” and has declared strong positions on matters that will come before the court including calling himself a “strict constructionist.” The court does not need a “rural” or an “urban” voice, and judicial candidates should not declare themselves to be “pro” or “con” on any issue that might come before the court. Judges are the voice of the law, which should be applied in the same fair manner from Janesville to Black River Falls. As a district attorney overseeing an office that handles thousands of contentious, sometimes difficult, cases every year I have proven my ability to put the public interest and the requirements of the law first, even under challenging circumstances.

What is the nature of your appellate experience in state or federal court? My experience includes one year assisting the late Hon. Walter J. Cummings Jr. draft opinions as a judicial clerk on the Seventh Circuit. I learned a great deal from Judge Cummings, a former Chief Judge of that Court. Then, for approximately my first two years as a federal prosecutor, I primarily wrote and argued appeals to the Seventh Circuit. This is a record of three years primarily devoted to appellate work. While at Quarles & Brady, I had the rare success of prevailing in part in a pro bono appeal on a sentencing issue that I took to the Seventh Circuit. I recently fully briefed and argued a case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In addition, my experience as an advocate (including an 11-week fraud trial in Chicago and a three-week official misconduct trial in Madison) gives me valuable insights into the meaning of trial records.

Judicial philosophy – Please describe your general approach to judicial decision making. Judges must remember that they have critical but clearly limited areas of competence and authority. The judge who puts on the hat of the philosopher, economist, police officer, or social scientist, or the appellate judge who second guesses clearly discretionary decisions of a trial judge, is drifting from his or her area of responsibility and undermines the credibility and authority of the courts. Appellate courts also of course have a special responsibility of absolute fidelity to the trial record, not to what they wish might have been included in the record or what they guess should have been in the record. The alpha and omega of an appellate case is existing law as applied to the actual record. Finally, appellate courts need to address, even if only briefly if that is all that is merited, each and every issue raised by the parties.

What role do you believe that a judge’s life experiences should play in judicial decision making? By “blind justice” we mean an attempt by judges to set aside, when rendering any judgment or opinion, the personal prejudices, biases, and perspectives that all individuals have. The oath reads in part, “I will administer justice without respect to persons . . . .” This does not mean that judges aim to be robots, pronouncing law in a mindlessly mechanical way. What it means is that judges take the time to study the law and the record carefully, and give life to objective, existing legal standards as applied to the details of each record. It is an ideal of the law that one should be able, in any given case, to analyze the record and the resulting opinion carefully and not detect the slightest effort to reflect “rural” or “urban” or “pro-life” or “pro-choice” or any other “pro” or “con” ideology.

Name one judge you admire, and explain why. Justice John Paul Stevens writes concisely and clearly. His opinions reflect an appropriately humble view of his role. He is not showy in his knowledge, yet he is not afraid to point out relevant facts reflecting deep familiarity with the history of the Constitution’s creation and subsequent interpretation, the common law, and any statutes at issue. Whether or not I find myself personally agreeing with a holding, I finish reading one of his opinions believing that I have understood where he started in his analysis and where it has lead him. He uses a light touch at times and a stern tone at others, but never to ridicule parties or to belittle attorneys. He seems to have avoided the trap some judges fall into of actually believing themselves to be “above” the lawyers and parties, instead of being a public servant privileged to resolve their legal disputes.

Most cases on the court of appeals are decided by three-judge panels. Please describe professional experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with others and reach consensus. I start with my nine years leading the 100 hardworking men and women of the Dane County District Attorney’s Office, using an “open door policy,” and responding to constant questions and concerns from victims, law enforcement, judges, defense attorneys, members of the public and media. Being district attorney requires collaboration and principled compromise, working with other elected officials and state and county staff on budget and policy matters. I have worked respectfully and collaboratively, while advocating strongly for the needs and priorities of victims and the public served by the DA's office. If elected, a high priority would be to develop relationships of mutual trust and respect with each of the 15 other members of the Court of Appeals, while maintaining my independence as an individually elected constitutional officer of the state.

How will your experience as a career prosecutor affect your approach toward criminal appeals as an appellate judge? I see myself as a highly experienced trial attorney who has primarily worked in the public sector since law school. It was not my goal to work as a prosecutor until I noticed, during my judicial clerkship, that the vast bulk of trials are criminal cases. This has given me the privilege of gaining a great deal of courtroom experience, which I believe well qualifies me for the appellate bench. I am very proud of the long list of distinguished criminal defense attorneys whose endorsements one may find at www.brianblanchard.net. I believe I have earned these endorsements by demonstrating a commitment to justice for all. In addition, my work as a federal appellate law clerk and four years as a civil litigator give me solid grounding in appeals from summary judgment orders, administrative law actions, and the other civil matters that come to the Court of Appeals.

What has been the most rewarding experience of your legal career? The single most rewarding set of experiences has been efforts on individual cases, and also in collaborating with others on system issues, to help victims of crime get through experiences they never expected to have to endure. My work as a federal prosecutor and civil litigator were professionally challenging, and I believe that I developed strong legal skills in those positions, but neither of those jobs involved much contact with crime victims. Nothing can really prepare an attorney for the pain and confusion felt and expressed by the victims of crime and their families who appear every day at a D.A.’s office. Their strength and courage is inspiring. The challenges and rewards of working with victims of crime are great. Also highly rewarding: (1) my successful pro bono appeal as a criminal defense attorney, referenced above, and (2) my challenging work in investigating and prosecuting official misconduct in the Capitol.

Edward E. Leineweber Richland County Circuit Court Judge

Education. University of Notre Dame, Bachelor of Business Administration, with honors, 1971; U.W. Law School, 1976, Editor, Wisconsin Law Review

Career. Self-employed private general practice for 21 years, 1976-97; three terms as Richland County District Attorney, 1987-93; City Attorney of Richland Center, 1993-97; Court Commissioner, 1993-1997; Richland County Circuit Court Judge, 1997 to present, including participation in the Judicial Exchange Program, sitting by designation on the Court of Appeals

Pro bono or other community service. Numerous boards and committees, including founding board member, Passages, A Program for Survivors of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault, Inc.; Court & Community, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization developing programs and services to improve access to and fairness of circuit court proceedings in Richland County, and raising necessary funds; Kinship of Richland County, Inc.; Richland Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Association, Inc.; Kiwanis Foundation, Ltd.; Schmidt Woodland Hills Retirement Center; Friends of the Little Brown Church, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization preserving a significant historical site in Richland County; Wisconsin Supreme Court Policy & Planning Advisory Committee; Wisconsin Judicial Council; Chair, Judicial Council Evidence & Civil Procedure Committee; Chair, Judicial Council Strategic Planning Committee; Bench & Bar Committee, State Bar of Wisconsin; Wisconsin NAMI Community Service Award

Why did you decide to run for a position on the court of appeals? First, I feel that I am the best qualified candidate for the seat opening on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since I have 34 years of experience handling on a daily basis virtually all the types of legal matters that can come before the appellate court. I have almost 13 years of experience on the trial court, which is important background for an appellate judge reviewing trial court records. I have proven legal writing and analytical ability.

Second, the Court of Appeals opening gives me the opportunity to move my legal career to its next logical phase. With over two decades in private practice and public office, and now more than a dozen years on the trial bench, I am ready for and eagerly await the challenge of being of service to the judicial system, the legal profession and the citizens of Wisconsin on District IV of the Court of Appeals.

Why do you think you are the best choice for the job? I believe I am the best choice for the Court of Appeals because I would bring a needed geographical diversity to the court. Judges of the Court of Appeals for District IV have almost always come from Dane County, one of the 24 counties that make up the district. In spite of this dominance by the largest county, the district remains mostly rural in character. Ten of the 24 counties have only one circuit court judge. Eighty percent of the counties have three judges or fewer.

The logistical issues which are the reality of life in these counties are likely lost upon judges whose practice experience is with a 17-branch circuit court. Someone on the Court of Appeals should be available to bring this perspective to the court.

What is the nature of your appellate experience in state or federal court? As a general practitioner and as District Attorney, I occasionally took cases to the Court of Appeals and Wisconsin Supreme Court for review. While serving as a Circuit Court Judge, I participated in the Judicial Exchange Program where a trial court judge sits by temporary designation on the Court of Appeals and participates in a series of cases. My authored opinion which came out of this experience, State v. LaRoche, is available on my website, www.JudgeLeineweber2010.com.

Judicial philosophy – Please describe your general approach to judicial decision making. It should be the role of the courts to resolve cases and controversies according to the legal norms established by the legislature, or by the executive branch. Consistency with restraint, and respect for core principles of our common law, best accomplishes the mission of the courts to interpret and apply the law to individual fact situations. Courts should be vigilant to protect individual rights and enforce individual responsibilities. The judicial branch is uniquely situated among the three co-equal branches of government to protect the citizen from government encroachment, and from the loss of personal rights and freedoms. For a more complete statement of my judicial philosophy, read the Position Statement on my website entitled Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint.

What role do you believe that a judge’s life experiences should play in judicial decision making? One’s life experiences play a critical role in the work of a trial judge, which is another reason why some trial judge experience is vital on the Court of Appeals. Understanding of, appreciation for, and empathy with the human condition are the sine qua non of good judging. This does not mean that people are not held accountable, or that the rule of law does not prevail. But the more one personally has been through in life, and the more one is steeped in the day-to-day struggles of individuals, businesses and communities, the better a judge one will be.

Name one judge you admire, and explain why. One judge that I admire is my predecessor on the Richland County Circuit Court, Hon. Kent C. Houck, who survived 32 years on that bench, was respected by all as knowledgeable, fair and even-handed, and never once, to my knowledge, lost his temper or even raised his voice, while maintaining almost perfect decorum in his court.

Most cases on the court of appeals are decided by three-judge panels. Please describe professional experiences that demonstrate your ability to work with others and reach consensus. For several years, I was a member of the Policy & Planning Advisory Committee on Videoconferencing in the Circuit Courts, and the principle draftsperson of the rule eventually adopted by the Supreme Court. The rule is the result of a delicate comprise among factions holding quite different views on the role of this technology in the courts. The effort to reach compromise was stalled for over a year until I proposed my draft and eventually lead the parties to consensus. As Chair of the Judicial Council’s Evidence & Civil Procedures Committee, I am leading an effort to propose various changes to the Wisconsin Rules of Evidence. The committee is made up of a variety of lawyers from widely different practice experiences. Despite differences in perspectives, our committee is engaging in very thorough discussions of the proposed changes, and coming to agreement on recommendations, all while having a good time and enjoying the collaborative effort.

How has your experience as a judge from a small, rural county prepared you to handle complex civil and criminal appeals from District IV, an economically and culturally diverse area that includes the University of Wisconsin, blue-collar industrial cities like Beloit and La Crosse, and the seat of State government? I was born and raised in Chicago, one of the largest and most ethnically-diverse cities on earth. I have been educated at two major universities, and have traveled widely. My own family is a mix of races, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. It is incorrect to assume that the complexity of legal matters is a function of the population density of the geographic area from which they arise. A bar fight in Madison is no more complicated than a bar fight in Richland Center simply because it occurred in the big city. And a multi-million dollar civil damage case alleging medical malpractice, or concerning the valuation for property tax purposes of the sprawling campus of a large merchandise retailer, is no simpler because it arose in a rural area. Further, I am quite involved in professional activities outside Richland County, as shown in my earlier answer.

What has been the most rewarding experience of your legal career? The most rewarding experience of my legal career continues to be receiving positive feedback from people who have come before my court, whether they have won or lost, telling me that they feel that I took the time to hear their side of the story, that I appeared to have listened closely and understood what they were trying to express, and that I ruled fairly and without an apparent agenda or preconception as to how the case should turn out. Equally rewarding are comments from attorneys who have been in my court telling me that it was a pleasant professional experience, regardless of outcome, and that I appeared to have been well prepared and well versed in the law.

This article is published courtesy of the March 2010 De Novo, the State Bar Appellate Practice Section newsletter. The State Bar offers its members the opportunity to network with other lawyers who share a common interest through its 26 sections. Section membership includes access to newsletters, email lists to facilitate information sharing, and other resources.