For Immediate Release
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CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
twsmith@wisbar.org |
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Douglas County Bar Awarded for Public Service Projects
MADISON, April 13, 2005 - The State
Bar of Wisconsin announces the Douglas County Bar Association will
receive two Local Bar Grant Awards for their 10th Judicial
Pro Se Litigants project and a community awareness campaign on "Going to
Court." The Award of Outstanding Achievement honors will be presented at
the 2005 Wisconsin Bar Leaders' Conference on Friday, April 15 at the
State Bar of Wisconsin Madison.
"The caliber of the local community service programs put forth by
Douglas County Bar members is exceptional," said Attorney Ben
Brantmeier, Chairperson of the Local Bar Grant Competition Subcommittee.
"The State Bar recognizes and honors the ability and willingness of
Douglas County Bar attorneys to address needs in our society and these
awards help to creatively and effectively assist in meeting those public
needs."
The Douglas County Bar implemented the 10th Judicial
District Self-Represented Projectin which they developed pro se
forms for divorce with children and without children. The bar also
created a video and handouts on Going to Court: Tips and Advice for
Representing Yourself in the Legal System to increase public
knowledge and awareness of legal system navigation with and without the
assistance of counsel. The project serves all of the 55% of self-
represented litigant cases in Douglas County.
Each year, local and specialty bar associations develop public
service projects with the help of the State Bar's local bar grants.
Whether the project is a community program, video, publication, or
special conference, qualifying bar associations can receive up to $2,000
from the State Bar Local Bar Grant Competition Committee to address
important community issues and needs.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association,
created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a
Wisconsin law license. With more than 21,000 members, the State Bar aids
the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides
continuing legal education for its members to help them maintain their
expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out community
service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the
value of lawyers.
For more information, visit http://www.wisbar.org/bargrant
or contact State Bar of Wisconsin Member Relations and Public Services
Outreach Coordinator Kris Wenzel at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6185.
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