The State Bar of Wisconsin has a new quarterback. Jill Rothstein took over as the State Bar’s executive director, effective Sept. 3, 2025. Rothstein succeeds Larry J. Martin, who retired Sept. 2, after eight years at the helm – 14 in total with the organization.

Rothstein most recently served as General Counsel at the South Carolina Bar and had previously held different roles within that organization over a 16-year period, including Risk Management Director and Director of Public Services.

A 1996 graduate of the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Rothstein also served as General Counsel to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (2017-2019), Assistant General Counsel at Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough (2019-2022), and Associate General Counsel for Womble Bond Dickinson (2022-2024).

“I was most impressed with the breadth and depth of Ms. Rothstein’s experience and service to the South Carolina Bar,” said State Bar President Dan Gartzke, a member of the Executive Director Transition & Search Committee. “I am looking forward to having her join our team in Wisconsin and put her wonderful experience to work for us.”

Starting in October, Rothstein will take over the Your State Bar column in this magazine, bringing you her thoughts about the challenges, opportunities, and goings-on at the State Bar. Rothstein is the first woman to head the organization. Philip Haberman, starting in 1948, was the organization’s first executive director.

“I look forward to meeting and working with all members of the State Bar of Wisconsin, including practitioners, jurists and the Bar’s leadership,” Rothstein said. “I’m delighted to be a part of this legal community.”

Joe Forward, Saint Louis Univ. School of Law 2010, is communications director for the State Bar of Wisconsin, Madison. He can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6161.