www.LegalExplorer.com
Navigating the Legal Wilderness
by George C. Brown,
State Bar executive director
Close your eyes. Imagine a compass, a
brown fedora and leather bomber jacket, and wilderness adventures. Now
add in the law and legal programs that have a positive impact on the
public and the image of the profession. What do you have?
LegalExplorer, the State
Bar of Wisconsin's newly launched public Web site.
The first bar association law-related Web site in the country
designed for the general public, LegalExplorer.com provides potential
clients and legal consumers the ability to navigate Wisconsin's legal
system without having to wade through the mountain of information on the
State Bar's award-winning Web site, WisBar.
LegalExplorer provides a cost-effective way to distribute the wealth
of consumer information developed by the various State Bar sections,
committees, and divisions to educate the public about the law. Until
now, the State Bar had no consistent, effective way to get this
information to the public. Information about the State Bar's successful
law-related education programs, such as the high school mock trial
program, peer mediation programs, and various teacher resources, now are
available 24 hours a day to lawyers, teachers, students, and the general
public.
LRIS online, the State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service
on the Web, gives the public an opportunity to access an attorney in
their area. Potential clients can be referred to an attorney without
having to speak to anyone but retain the option of talking with a legal
assistant at any time during our extended business hours. If visitors
think they might be eligible for free legal services, they can access
the legal services income eligibility guidelines and other low-cost
legal service options.
The State Bar's voluminous consumer education materials are available
on LegalExplorer.com, as is information about the various consumer
assistance programs, such as fee arbitration and the business assistance
program. LegalExplorer.com also widens distribution of public
information materials and allows the information to be kept current
without going to the expense of discarding outdated publications.
This Web site expands the State Bar's commitment to public service
and education, one of the hallmarks of a professional association like
the State Bar. It also positions the State Bar of Wisconsin as a
credible source to the public and improves the image of attorneys to the
public.
LegalExplorer is the
brainchild of the State Bar's WisBar Oversight Committee working closely
with State Bar staff and numerous consumer-focused committees throughout
the Bar.
So, the next time a teacher, student, or other member of the public
needs a compass and a map to navigate Wisconsin's legal wilderness,
LegalExplorer.com is here to help. But, they're on their own when it
comes to the fedora and the leather jacket.
Wisconsin Lawyer
