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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    December 01, 2003

    State Bar Annual Report: Adapting to Change

    History tells a story and often points to the future. The State Bar has a story with 125 years of accomplishments.

    Pat Ballman

Adapting to Change

Pat BallmanHistory tells a story and often points to the future. The State Bar has a story with 125 years of accomplishments. When I took office, I outlined three goals for my term: spearheading an effort to educate the public about the value lawyers bring to society; continuing the fight for government funding of civil legal services for the indigent; and improving diversity within the legal profession.

As we delved into our history this year, in celebration of the State Bar's 125th anniversary, it was easy to see how today's efforts are tied to our organization's founding principles to serve our members, the judicial system, and the public. For instance:

  • Serving our communities and providing legal services to the indigent is a big part of who we are as lawyers. A May 2003 member survey showed that, on average, Wisconsin lawyers donate more than 60 hours per year of public service to their communities, representing an estimated annual value of more than $86 million. To increase and coordinate pro bono services, the Bar is working on a statewide pro bono coordination initiative.
  • Through our "Branding the Profession" communications effort, we are educating the public about the value lawyers bring to society. Our message that lawyers serve their communities, solve problems, and provide expert advice is reaching the public through various Bar-sponsored paid and earned media coverage, and is used by local bars in their public outreach efforts and in members' own marketing materials.
  • The State Bar encourages diversity in the profession by assisting minority bar and other specialty bar associations, from a variety of programs that place minority law students in summer clerkships to sponsoring events that educate the bar and the public about the value of diversity in our changing society and profession. The State Bar has seen four women elected president in the last decade. And this year marked another milestone with the first person of color elected to the presidential post. It is important that our profession reflect the public we serve.

I am confident that when our successors celebrate the State Bar's 200th anniversary, members still will be providing dedicated service to their clients and their communities, just as they have during the past 125 years.

Pat Ballman, president, State Bar of Wisconsin July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003


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