Vol. 75, No. 4, April 2002

• Wisconsin participates in study of bioterrorism and its effect on courts
• Compare Wisconsin First Year Law Students with National Numbers
• Western District Bar Holds Luncheon in Madison
• Waukesha County Launches Self-help Center, Seeks Attorney Volunteers

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.

"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