Vol. 75, No. 4, April
2002
University of Wisconsin
|
|
2000 |
2001 |
Men |
49 % |
54 % |
Women |
51 % |
46 % |
Minorities |
21 % |
26 % |
Marquette University
|
|
2000 |
2001 |
Men |
52 % |
58 % |
Women |
48 % |
42 % |
Minorities |
8 % |
8 % |
All U.S. Law Schools
|
|
2000 |
2001 |
Men |
51 % |
51 % |
Women |
49 % |
49 % |
Minorities |
22 % |
21 % |
Compare Wisconsin's first-year law class with
national numbers
Nationally, the first-year law school class in fall 2001 totaled
45,070, an increase of 1,552 students or 3.6 percent from the fall 2000
class, according to newly compiled statistics reported by the ABA
Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar.
Wisconsin's first-year law school class for Marquette and the
University of Wisconsin in fall 2001 totaled 437, a decrease of 28
students. This reflects an intentional reduction in the University of
Wisconsin class and Marquette's cap of its enrollment.
Sources: ABA Section of Legal
Education/University of Wisconsin/Marquette University
Wisconsin participates in study of
bioterrorism and its effect on courts
Seventh Judicial District Court Administrator Steve Steadman is
representing Wisconsin on a committee to educate courts about
biogenetics and weapons of mass destruction, which was created at the
"Bioterrorism, Biological Attack, and the Courts" conference in
California in January. Approximately 90 court leaders nationwide
gathered at the conference, which was coordinated by the Einstein
Institute for Science, Health & the Courts (EINSHAC), to identify
the most likely microbiological attack agents and the effects of such an
attack, and to develop and implement a security plan of preparedness for
courts nationwide.
Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson designated Milwaukee County Chief
Judge Michael Skwierawski and Steadman to attend the conference.
Skwierawski is a member of the Milwaukee County Commission on Security
and Crisis Management. Steadman is project manager for the Wisconsin
Courthouse Security Training Program, which is conducting court security
training programs in Wisconsin's 10 judicial districts to improve safety
for jurors, witnesses, victims of crime, and the public at all 72 of
Wisconsin's county courthouses.
"This EINSHAC-sponsored conference provided the scientific, legal,
and security information necessary to help us identify that smallpox,
anthrax, plague, and tularemia are the higher probability microbial
attack agents," said Skwierawski. "We focused on treatment issues, such
as quarantine and the impact quarantines could have on court operations,
and detection methods, such as hand-held devices and bio smoke
detectors."
According to Steadman, "The committee's goal is to develop and
implement a plan over the next three years ensuring that all courts
nationwide can respond quickly in the event of an attack. We will work
closely with the courts and public health officials to develop the plan.
If an incident occurs, the courts will be the responsible partner
required to ensure institutional continuity."
For more information, contact Steadman at
(608) 785-9546.
Western District Bar holds annual luncheon in
Madison
All State Bar members are invited to attend the Western District of
Wisconsin Bar Association (WDBA) annual luncheon on April 25 at 12 p.m.
at the White Horse Inn in Madison. Marquette University Dean and
Professor of Law Howard B. Eisenberg will present "The War on Crime, the
War on Drugs, and the War on Terrorism - Can the Bill of Rights Survive
the Battles?"
Attend CLE program presentations from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the U.S.
Courthouse. Chief Judge Barbara Crabb will discuss the court's summary
judgment procedures and expectations; attorneys Michelle Umberger and
Joseph Leone will discuss trends in intellectual property litigation;
and attorneys Paul Kinne and Charles Hoornstra will present an update on
the Prisoner Litigation Reform Act and Section 1983 issues. A panel
discussion with federal judges will conclude the CLE program, which will
be followed by a reception.
The luncheon is $15. The CLE program is free for WDBA members; $50
for non-WDBA members. Annual WDBA membership dues are $35. The program
has been submitted for 3 CLE credits. For more information, contact Bob or Le Jordan at (608)
848-9008.
Waukesha County launches self-help center,
seeks attorney volunteers
The Waukesha County Family Court Self-help Center opened its doors in
February. The center provides family court information and resources to
the public and provides resources intended to help pro se litigants
determine if their case requires legal assistance. A roster of local
area attorneys also is available when people determine that they do need
legal counsel. Initially the center will be geared toward family court
matters but may expand into other areas such as small claims and probate
in the future.
Waukesha County Executive Daniel Finley and Third Judicial District
Chief Judge Kathryn Foster watch as Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
cuts the ribbon at the Waukesha County Family Court Self-help
Center.
"Based on a survey conducted in 1999, in 55 percent of the
pre-judgement divorce cases filed in Waukesha County one or both parties
represented themselves," says Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge
Kathryn W. Foster. "In 1999 they told us they didn't have a lawyer
because they thought they didn't need one, couldn't afford one, didn't
think their case was complicated enough to need one, or didn't trust
them."
"The ultimate goal of the center is to improve customer satisfaction
with the courts, regardless of the outcome of the case, provide accurate
information that will reduce staff time answering routine questions, and
increase the efficiency with which these matters go through the court
process," says Foster. "We also hope to increase the number of litigants
who have at least consulted with an attorney somewhere in the court
process."
The self-help program, through a partnership with Wisconsin
Correctional Service, has received $40,000 in grant monies from the
Greater Milwaukee Foundation, $12,000 from the State Justice Institute,
$500 from the Waukesha County Department of Senior Services, and a grant
of $500 from the State Bar Public Trust and Confidence Committee. The
Public Trust and Confidence Committee is a partnership of the State Bar,
the office of the Chief Justice, the Director of State Courts, and the
Wisconsin League of Women Voters. Waukesha County has provided more than
$16,000 of in-kind services, $40,000 in capital costs to remodel
courthouse space for the center, and is currently providing contracted
services to continue development and implementation of the program. The
project coordinator is seeking additional grant funding.
The Family Legal Clinic, which will be part of the Self-help Center,
is scheduled to open this spring. The clinic needs volunteer attorneys
to conduct limited legal consultations with individuals seeking legal
assistance with their family court matter. The clinic also needs
volunteer law students to conduct interviews and shadow volunteer
attorneys.
To volunteer or have your name added to the referral roster, visit
the court's
web site, or contact Tera Nehring, project
coordinator at (262) 896-6870. The center, open weekdays from 8:15 a.m.
- 4:15 p.m., is located in the courthouse at 515 W. Moreland Blvd., Room
C-108, in Waukesha.
Wisconsin
Lawyer