A listing of State Bar Committees

Feb. 25, 2002

Appointments to standing committees are for three-year terms and those to special committees are for one-year terms. Members are asked to commit to preparing for and attending meetings several times a year (each committee sets the frequency and location of its meetings, so time commitments vary).

STANDING COMMITTEES

• Communications - develops effective communication among the State Bar, courts, attorneys, clients, media, and the general public; acts as the editorial advisory board for the monthly Wisconsin Lawyer magazine.
• Continuing Legal Education - works with State Bar CLE Seminars and CLE Books to develop opportunities for members to acquire professional knowledge, training, and skills.
• Legal Assistance - studies and recommends ways to make civil legal services more accessible to low-income persons.
• Professional Ethics - formulates and recommends standards and methods for the effective enforcement of high standards of ethics and conduct in the practice of law; makes appropriate recommendations for amendment of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys; and expresses opinions regarding proper professional conduct upon written request of any member or officer of the State Bar.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES

• Bench/Bar Relations - studies the organization, operation, and general administration of Wisconsin courts, including practice and procedure issues.
• Board of Bar Examiners Review - works with the supreme court's Board of Bar Examiners to review procedures for bar admissions and monitoring compliance with Wisconsin's CLE requirements.
• Clients' Security Fund - operates the Clients' Security Fund, which reimburses clients for money lost due to lawyer theft in a lawyer-client relationship.
• Consumer Information and Protection - monitors and educates the public about possible harm caused by untrained and unlicensed individuals.
• Convention and Entertainment - oversees the State Bar's annual convention, including site selection and social activities.
• Diversity Outreach - an open-enrollment committee that works to provide opportunities for the full participation of minority lawyers in the State Bar and the legal profession.
• Group and Prepaid Legal Services - monitors these programs in Wisconsin to ensure they meet standards established by the supreme court for protection of the public.
• Insurance for Members - develops and endorses insurance products for State Bar members, including professional liability, health, disability, dental, and life insurance.
• Law-related Education - supports statewide efforts to educate the public, furthers understanding and respect for the legal system and the rule of law, and fosters appreciation of the legal rights and responsibilities of all persons.
• Lawyer Dispute Resolution - oversees the Lawyer Dispute Resolution program.
• Lawyer Referral and Information Service - oversees the Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) and the volunteer Lawyer Hotline program.
• Lawyer Regulation Study (formerly Board of Attorneys Professional Responsibility Study) - works with the supreme court's Office of Lawyer Regulation to review procedures for discipline of Wisconsin-licensed lawyers.
• Local Bar Relations - facilitates two-way communication between the State Bar and local/specialty bars and addresses concerns shared by bar leaders.
• Media-law Relations - works to increase understanding and cooperation among the media, lawyers, and judiciary.
• Member Relations - develops and oversees benefits and programs that enhance State Bar members' personal and professional lives and activities.
• Mentor Council - develops activities to bring together experienced lawyers with new lawyers and law students to discuss the realities of law practice in various settings.
• Nominating/Leadership Development - selects a slate of nominees for upcoming officer elections, and encourages participation in committees and development of Bar leadership.
• Participation of Women in the Bar - an open-enrollment committee that studies and - through various publications, seminars, and activities - assists women in achieving full integration and participation in the legal profession.
• Placement of Minority Lawyers - provides opportunities for minority law students to work in Wisconsin law firms and corporations, as well as in the public sector; also encourages the hiring and retention of minority lawyers.
• Professionalism - works to maintain and improve professionalism in the legal community.
• Public Affairs Advisory - helps define and advise on the Bar's position and information dissemination efforts on issues before the Legislature.
• Resolution of Fee Disputes - oversees fee arbitration between lawyers and their clients through statewide panels.
• Rules and Bylaws Review - studies and recommends language and procedural changes to keep the supreme court rules governing the State Bar and the Bar's bylaws current.
• Solo and Small-firm Practice - supports and develops services that benefit sole and small-firm practitioners, and looks at major concerns for this group (including such issues as law office management, technology, client development, and marketing).
• Staff-Client Education (formerly Videotape) - develops programs for the Bar's Law Office Videotape series, which covers topics such as staff training, client education, and practice management.
• Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) - provides confidential assistance to members needing help with problems related to alcohol and drug dependency, stress, depression, anxiety, job loss, and so on.