Nominees sought for volunteer lawyer recognition celebration
November 14, 2002
The State Bar seeks nominations for the 2002 Volunteer Lawyer
Recognition awards. Wisconsin's volunteer attorneys, judges, law firms,
organizations, and law students who made outstanding pro bono, public
interest, law-related education, Lawyer Referral and Information Service
(LRIS) hotline, and Wisconsin Law Foundation contributions during 2002
will be honored at the annual Volunteer Lawyer Recognition celebration
on May 7 at the Midwest Express Center in Milwaukee during the State Bar
Annual Convention.
Nominations for the Volunteer Lawyer Recognition awards will be
accepted until Dec. 10. For information about nomination requirements,
contact the following State Bar staff members:
The Law-related
Education Committee State Bar contact, Dee Runaas (800) 444-9404,
ext. 6191, or (608) 250-6191 - The LRE Attorney of the Year Award honors
an attorney who has demonstrated excellence in promoting and supporting
the mission of the committee. The mission calls for the promotion and
support of statewide efforts to educate the public, encouragement of an
understanding and respect for the legal system, and fostering
appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of all persons under
law. Nominations due: December 10, 2002
The Lawyer
Referral and Information Service Committee State Bar contact, Shell
Goar (800) 444-9404, ext. 6172, or (608) 250-6172 - The Hotline Firm of
the Year Award recognizes a specific firm for its volunteers who answer
simple legal questions over the phone, allowing callers to better assess
whether they wish to hire a lawyer. Nominations due: December
10, 2002
The Legal Assistance
Committee State Bar contact, Elizabeth Rich (800) 444-9404,
ext. 6177, or (608) 250-6177 - This committee bestows three awards, each
recognizing outstanding pro bono legal assistance. They include: a Pro
Bono Award for a private, government, or corporate practitioner; Pro
Bono Award for a law firm; and the Pro Bono Award for a legal services
attorney (an attorney employed by a firm whose sole client base are
those whose income falls below an established poverty
guideline).Nominations due: December 10, 2002
The Public
Interest Law Section State Bar contact Tina Noldolf (800)
444-9404, ext. 6190, or (608) 250-6190. - This section gives three
awards. The Dan Tuchscherer Outstanding Public Interest Law Attorney
Award recognizes a lawyer who has demonstrated a selfless, lifetime
commitment to working in the public interest, both inside and outside
the field of law. One student from Marquette University and U.W. law
schools who demonstrate a commitment to working in public interest law
also receive awards. Nominations due: December 10,
2002
The Wisconsin Law Foundation - The Foundation, which
gives three awards, is dedicated to supporting charitable and
educational programs that promote public understanding of the law and
improvement of the administration of justice. The Belle Case LaFollette
Outstanding Professional Awerd recognizes a lawer who has made an
outstanding conrtibution to the advancement of the profession. The
Donald O'Melia Local Service Award recognizes a lawyer who has made a
significant public service contribution in his or her local community.
The Gordon Sinykin Award of Excellence recognizes a lawyer or
organization for work on an individual law-related education or public
service project. State Bar contact, Laura Emerson (800) 444-9404, ext.
6015, or (608) 250-6015. Nominations due: November 22,
2002
The annual event is sponsored the by the State Bar's Law-related
Education, LRIS, Legal Assistance, and Communications committees; Public
Interest Law Section; Wisconsin Law Foundation; and Wisconsin Supreme
Court.
