Questions & Answers About the Bar's Future Home
Q:Why is the Association building a new
headquarters rather than renovating the current State Bar
Center?
A: The decision to build a new Bar Center comes after a decade of
study, according to Attorney Gerald O'Brien, chair of the Facilities
Committee. The current center was built in 1958 and has been expanded
twice. Further development is not possible because of neighborhood
zoning restrictions and the inability to add parking.
Q:Were other alternatives examined?
A: Yes. Relocating to an existing building, splitting Bar operations
among the existing center and other facilities, and permitting more Bar
employees to work at home were all considered.
No existing facility met the Bar's specific need for an easily
accessible location for members with sufficient parking and adequate
meeting space. Splitting operations would have resulted in unnecessary
travel time for staff to locate records, fulfill orders and produce
publications. Although several Bar employees work from home, most
employees work together in teams. One facility is necessary to provide
quality services to the membership.
Q:What provisions have been made for future growth in the
new facility?
A: The new facility has 85 workstations and the capacity for adding
35 more. If or when necessary, the new facility could be expanded both
north and south to add about 12,000 square feet.
Q:What cost savings are incorporated in the new
building?
A: Committee and section meetings, as well as CLE seminars that are
currently held at hotels and conference facilities, will convene in the
new assembly halls and conference rooms. Because of space limitations in
the present quarters, the State Bar leases 6,000 square feet of off-site
storage. The new building has ample storage for current and future
use.
Q:When will the new Bar Center be
completed?
A: The grand opening is set for summer 1999.
Q:Has the State Bar always had a central
headquarters?
A: No. During the late 1800s, the State Bar headquarters were
transient, residing in the office of the Bar secretary. That arrangement
continued until 1920 when Bar operations moved to the Wisconsin State
Law Library. Finally in 1957, the State Bar embarked on a mission to
build its own headquarters, becoming the fourth Bar in the country to do
so.
Q:Why a fund drive?
A: The sale of the current Bar Center and the liquidation of and
short-term and intermediate investments will fund about half of the new
building. In order to reduce or retire the remaining debt, the State Bar
needs to raise funds from members and friends.
Q:Why isn't an increase in dues paying for the new
building instead of a fund raising campaign?
A: The State Bar Board of Governors and others discussed a dues
increase to pay for the $2.25 million debt on the building, but decided
to launch a fund raising campaign for several reasons.
The new Bar Center is a monumental event in State Bar history. A
campaign enables members to voluntarily invest in the future of the Bar
and be recognized for their contributions.
A $25 dues increase per member would raise an additional $400,000
annually. Considering the interest on the $2.25 million loan, a dues
increase would take approximately six years to pay off the debt. The Bar
saves money by paying off the debt sooner with a capital campaign.
Building a new facility is a one-time, extraordinary event that does
not require permanent absorption into the dues base.
Q:Who is leading the effort?
A: The campaign cabinet consists of approximately 30 lawyers, from
small and large communities statewide, who have volunteered to lead the
fund raising drive. Cabinet members recruited attorneys in their region
to support the effort.
Q:How can I contribute?
A: By contacting Trina E. Haag, campaign
coordinator, at the State Bar of Wisconsin at 1-800-444-9404, ext. 6025.
You can also contact the cabinet
member in your area, or make your pledge online using our
fundraising form.
Wisconsin
Lawyer