Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission
MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

CONTACT:
Jeff Brown
(608) 250-6177
jbrown@wisatj.org

Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission Hosts Community Hearing

Madison, WI – On Tuesday, September 18 at 4:30 p.m., the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission is hosting a community hearing on the challenges facing low-income residents when they need legal help.

The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission was created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the State Bar of Wisconsin to help expand access to the civil justice system for low-income Wisconsin residents. According to organizers, providing equal access justice is a hallmark of the rule of law. It also plays a critical role in an individual’s financial stability and affects the local economy.

“The Access to Justice Commission hearing will provide an opportunity for us to learn more from both service providers and clients about the obstacles to accessing affordable, quality legal services for the poor and underserved in our community. These individuals have legal needs that, if not addressed, can present barriers to achieving economic stability and security in people's lives,” said Prof. Marsha Mansfield, a member of the Commission and Director of the Economic Justice Institute at UW Law School.

Panelists:

• Marsha Mansfield, Commission Secretary; Clinical Professor, UW Law School
• Patrick Crooks, Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court
• C. William Foust, Chief Judge, Circuit Court Administrative District 5; Chairman, Committee of Chief Judges; Judge, Dane County Circuit Court
• Tim Cullen, Wisconsin State Senator
• Amy Loudenbeck, Wisconsin State Representative
• Martha Cranley, Director of Community Impact & Strategic Communications, United Way
• James C. Boll, Jr., Corporate Counsel, Madison Gas & Electric
• Blain R. Renfert, Attorney and Partner, Foley & Lardner, LLP
• Rich Lynch, President, J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc.
• Roger Putnam, Owner and CEO, Putnam Roby Williamson Communications
• Kelly Nickel, Treasurer, State Bar of Wisconsin
• John Molinaro, Chairman, Jefferson County Board of Supervisors
• J. Russell Podzilni, Chairman, Rock County Board of Supervisors

When:
September 18, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Madison Area Technical College
1701 Wright Street (Room 142-Lounge)
Madison, WI

The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission was created by an order of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in response to a petition filed by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Our mission is to develop and encourage means of expanding access to the civil justice system for unrepresented low-income Wisconsin residents. We are governed by a 17 member board appointed by our stakeholders: the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Governor, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Legislature, Marquette University Law School, the University of Wisconsin Law School and the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation. Learn more at www.wisatj.org.