State Bar announces candidates for 2003 elections
December 9, 2002
Michelle Behnke and Earl Munson,
both of Madison, have accepted nominations to run for 2003 State Bar
president-elect. Behnke, a sole practitioner, and Munson, of Boardman
Law Firm LLP, were selected by the State Bar Nominating Committee, which
is chaired by State Bar President-elect George Burnett.
Nominees for treasurer are Dean Dietrich, Wausau,
and Grant Langley, Milwaukee. Nominees for Judicial
Council are Beth Hanan, Milwaukee, and Jim
Weis, Rhinelander.
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Behnke
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Munson
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"I am excited and honored to be nominated for State Bar
President-elect," says Behnke. "I am interested in several issues, but
at the top of my list are providing vital products and services to
members, and meeting the needs of a diverse Bar. Providing vital
products and services is important to maintaining a strong profession in
light of the increasing complexity of the practice of law. I believe
that encouraging member participation in Bar programs will help us find
sound and creative solutions to the challenges ahead. I look forward to
talking with lawyers from all areas of the profession. I want to hear
what is important to them and share my thoughts and ideas."
"The vast majority of Wisconsin lawyers share my view that we are
first and foremost a profession, that we are more - much more - than a
money getting business," says Munson. "Unfortunately, the lawyers who
make up that majority erroneously believe they are in fact a minority,
and professional self-image has declined. I am, therefore, more
concerned about what lawyers think of their profession than I am about
the public's perception of it. In fact, our core values of independence,
client loyalty, confidentiality, and absence of conflicts of interest
are alive and well among Wisconsin lawyers, and the true test of a bar
association is the confidence it creates among its members that this is
a unique and extraordinary profession."
The president-elect serves a one-year term before becoming president.
The treasurer serves two years, while the Judicial Council
representative serves a three-year term. All terms begin on July 1,
2003. Any member interested in running for one of these offices can file
a petition signed by 100 active Bar members. The petition must be filed
at the State Bar by Feb. 3, 2003.
Board of Governors. Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9,
11, 13, and 15 elect governors in 2003. District 2 elects seven
governors; District 9 elects three governors, and all other districts
elect one governor. Governors serve two-year terms. (See page 597 of the
2002 Wisconsin Lawyer Directory for a district map.) To be considered
for a seat on the Board of Governors, Bar members must submit a petition
signed by 10 active members in their district by March 3.
Divisions. The State Bar's Government Lawyers (GLD),
Nonresident Lawyers NRLD), Senior Lawyers (SLD), and Young Lawyers (YLD)
divisions are selecting candidates to run in their 2003 elections.
GLD members will choose a president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and
three division directors to serve two-year terms. Interested GLD members
are invited to write to the GLD Nominating Committee in care of the
State Bar by Feb. 3.
NRLD members will choose a president-elect for a one-year term; a
secretary, treasurer, and five directors to serve two-year terms; and
one director to serve a one-year term. Only active and emeritus-status
NRLD members can run for these positions. Interested NRLD members should
send their resumes and letters of interest to the NRLD Nominating
Committee Chair in care of the State Bar by Jan. 15.
SLD members will choose a president-elect for a one-year term, and a
secretary and three directors to serve two-year terms. Interested
members are invited to write to the SLD Nominating Committee in care of
the State Bar by Jan. 15.
The YLD is seeking members interested in running for president-elect.
Interested members are invited to write to the YLD Nominating Committee
Chair in care of the State Bar by Feb. 3. YLD directors and other
officers will be elected during the annual meeting in May, by nomination
from the floor.
For more information or to receive a State Bar officer or Board of
Governors petition, contact Jan Marks at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6106;
(608) 250-6106; or jmarks@wisbar.org. Send State Bar
officer and Board of Governors petitions to Jan Marks, and send division
letters to appropriate nominating committee in care of the State Bar of
Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158.
Election ballots will be mailed by April 11 and must be returned by
April 25. Those elected will take office July 1, 2003.
