While each new year offers new opportunities, Jill Rothstein says 2026 is especially significant and exciting as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
I love the turn of the year – the idea that we each, to a certain extent, are granted new opportunities, and a tabula rasa.
I am particularly excited about 2026, as we anticipate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Jill Rothstein, South Carolina 1996, is the executive director for the State Bar of Wisconsin.
I am optimistic that the celebration of our Declaration of Independence will also be a celebration of all our democratic principles – the ideals upon which we founded our nation, and upon which we base both our law practices, and our entire legal system.
While we will celebrate as a nation in myriad ways, here in Wisconsin we will bring the celebration to the State Bar of Wisconsin and to our members. As we aspire to emphasize our commonalities, to accept our differences, and to laud our founding principles, we will invite all of you to celebrate along with us.
We will focus on sustaining the gift of democracy, on facing our challenges civilly, and on striving toward the principles and ideals on which this country was founded.
Here’s wishing each of you a year of practice that is intellectually satisfying, collegial, and successful.
True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of
the individual, freedom and equality … and a constant
and earnest striving toward the principles and ideals on
which this country was founded.
– Eleanor Roosevelt
» Cite this article: 99 Wis. Law. 8 (January 2026).
