For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Jason Westphal State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6077 jwestphal@wisbar.org

Upcoming seminar to focus on USA Patriot Act

MADISON, November 13, 2002 - In an effort to draw attention to the potential impact that counter-terrorism measures - such as the USA Patriot Act - will have on individual rights, the Criminal Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin will sponsor a forum later this week that will discuss the delicate balance between personal liberty and public security. "Security v. Terrorism" will be held on Friday, November 15 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The program is scheduled to run from noon until 4:30 p.m.

"The Criminal Law Section believes that it vital for attorneys and the general public to engage in an informed discussion on this issue," said Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Randy Koschnick. "Our hope is that by the end of the seminar we will come to a better understanding and appreciation of the need to protect individual rights, as well as provide for public security."

University of Maryland Law Professor Michael Greenberger, the seminar's moderator, is a nationally recognized expert on Homeland Security, the USA Patriot Act and related legal issues. Other invited speakers include U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, Congressman Tom Barrett and Deputy United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Fran Schmitz.

"Due to the ever-growing entanglement between security investigations and criminal investigations, lawyers need to carefully monitor new legislation and government procedures in this area," said section chair Atty. John Birdsall. "Many of the powers that have been created by the Patriot Act exist under the pretext of intelligence operations, while in fact they could easily be intermingled with a concurrent criminal investigation; in such a case the use of these powers would not be subject to the same constitutional safeguards."

Tuition is $30 for Criminal Law Section members and $50 for nonmembers. A complimentary luncheon and a complimentary reception is included. To register, call the State Bar at (800) 728-7788.

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