​​

Candidate for President-Elect

Anna ​Muñoz​

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., Milwaukee
Email

Platform Statement

As I seek the honor of serving as president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin, I am committed to the State Bar of Wisconsin and advancing meaningful support for its members. My leadership would focus on (1) representing all Wisconsin-licensed attorneys while advancing the State Bar’s purpose; and (2) supporting the development, well-being, and retention of Wisconsin attorneys.

1. Representing All Wisconsin-Licensed Attorneys While Advancing the State Bar’s Misson

State Bar members practice in a range of legal environments both inside and outside of Wisconsin, including private firms of all sizes, government, nonprofits, in-house, and solo practices. Each setting has distinct challenges and opportunities. As president-elect, I will prioritize representing all Wisconsin-licensed attorneys by actively listening and encouraging dialogue on members’ priorities. My goal is to be an accessible, engaged leader who values and encourages input from attorneys in every corner of our profession and works collaboratively with members.

The State Bar’s mission is “We support our members in a dynamic and diverse society in delivering valued professional services, promoting access to justice and pursuing professional satisfaction.” As president-elect, I will honor this mission – a profession that reflects a variety of perspectives is stronger, more effective, and better equipped to serve the public. I will support efforts that promote equitable access to opportunities, leadership, and resources, and that foster a culture of belonging.

Innovation is important to consider as the legal profession continues to evolve. I support thoughtful adoption of new ideas and technologies that enhance practice, while maintaining high ethical standards. By encouraging innovation and professional excellence, we can help all our members adapt, grow, and lead with confidence.

2. Supporting the Development, Well-Being, and Retention of Wisconsin Attorneys

The strength of our legal profession depends on attracting, developing, and retaining talented attorneys throughout Wisconsin. This need is especially acute in rural areas, where attorneys often see a large demand for legal services and may struggle to meet the varying needs of clients in their communities. As president-elect, I will champion existing State Bar programs while also considering new initiatives that offer support to attorneys at varying stages of their careers. Through my role as Ready.Set.Practice! (RSP) subcommittee chair, I’ve seen the benefits attorneys gain from participation in this mentoring program. The RSP subcommittee works to continue to improve the program each year. It has increased its impact by encouraging participants to connect virtually as well as in person and has added a law student component to encourage law student connections with practicing Wisconsin attorneys.

The importance of attorney well-being cannot be overlooked. In December 2021, the Task Force on Wisconsin Lawyer Well-Being issued its report “Lawyer Well-Being: Changing the Climate of Wisconsin’s Legal Profession.” In my opinion, a key takeaway of this report is to keep the dialogue going on ways to improve lawyer well-being. In 2013, less than 10 years out of law school, I was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to reevaluate all aspects of my life including my work-life balance. I learned the importance of relying on others, how to better prioritize life and work, and the value of personal and professional community support. For me, learning to refocus on my well-being obviously occurred with my diagnosis, but for others it isn’t as easy to label or identify. Continuing the conversation builds awareness and helps attorneys who may be struggling, and it may help attorneys identify colleagues or friends who may need support.

Conclusion

As president, I will bring a collaborative, thoughtful approach to leadership. I hope to contribute to an organization that continues to support and inspire Wisconsin attorneys.

Thank you for your consideration and for the opportunity to serve.

Biography

As a longtime Wisconsin resident, I have tremendous pride in our state from the history, community and the four seasons (yes, even winter!) that I have enjoyed my whole life. I grew up in Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee and was the second of four kids, raised in a home focused on family, hard-work, community, education, and caring for others. My father is from a farming family in Dodge County, and I have fond memories of the weeklong visit at my grandma’s every summer growing up. After graduating from Wauwatosa East High School, I attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. It was there that I met my future husband, and best friend, Juan. We both graduated in 2000.

Unlike most attorneys, I did not always know I wanted to be a lawyer – there, I said it! After completing undergrad, I worked for two years and continued to research what long-term career might suit me, and found the law. Because of its problem-solving nature, critical thinking, and focus on serving people, I thought that a career in law would be a perfect fit – these are things I had focused on my whole life (especially being a middle child). My family and Juan fully encouraged and supported my decision to attend law school.

Marquette University Law School provided excellent legal training, in addition to opportunities to be mentored by amazing faculty and staff, and participate in community focused legal clinics. While Juan is an engineer, he jokes that he attended law school vicariously through me and my classmates, many of whom we are still close friends with to this day.

After graduating from Marquette in 2005, I began my legal career at Brookdale Senior Living Inc., a company which would become the largest senior living provider in the United States. When I joined the company, it was growing and changing rapidly, which allowed me to learn a great deal about the industry and all the various (and frequently complicated) ways the law played into the business. The attorneys who hired me both trusted and mentored me. I spent the first few years learning the legal ropes. In 2007, Juan and I were married and moved to Shorewood, where we continue to reside.

As I started to get more acclimated to the demands of work, I was interested in becoming more involved in the Wisconsin legal community. One of the first opportunities was a position on the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Leadership Development Committee. Being a member of the committee was an excellent introduction to the State Bar, a way to network with colleagues and new friends, and discover additional ways to serve the community.

In 2013, when it felt like I was hitting my professional stride, my personal life took a drastic unexpected turn. I was diagnosed with cancer, and my calendar became filled with doctor appointments, and much needed rest and recovery. Fortunately, I have now been cancer free for over a decade.

While continuing to work at Brookdale, I renewed my involvement outside of work. Since most lawyers enjoy bullet points, below is a list of my bar and community involvement:

• State Bar of Wisconsin
  • Board of Governors
    • Member (2019-2022); (2025-present)
    • Executive Committee (2025-present)
    • Secretary (7/1/2022 – 6/30/2024)
    • Governance Committee (2019-2022); (2025-present)
    • Liaison to Health Law Section Board (2019-2024)
    • Liaison to Elder Law Section Board (2025-present)
    • Liaison to the Continuing Legal Education Committee (2025-present)
  • Executive Director Transition & Search Committee Member (2025)
  • Leadership Development Committee Member (2010-present); Committee Chair (2013-2014); G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy Co-Chair (2017-2018) & Chair (2018-2019); Ready.Set.Practice! Mentoring Program Subcommittee (Chair 2020-2025; Member 2020-present)
  • Health Law Section Member
  • Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellow
• Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WisTAF)
  • Board Member (7/1/2024-present)
• Marquette University Law School Small Claims Mediation Clinic, Volunteer/Supervisor
• Centro Legal, Volunteer, Annual Fundraiser Event (LeGala)

While Juan and I continue to keep busy with our professional pursuits (Juan working at Breakthrough, a U.S. Ventures company in Green Bay), we enjoy a variety of activities during our spare time. We both stay active through tennis and running along the lakefront with friends. We are huge Brewers fans, and try to get to as many games as possible. One of our favorite titles is aunt and uncle to five fantastic kids, who we see regularly. When not reading state regulations on healthcare licensure, I enjoy reading non-legal books, and have been in the same book club for 20 years.

The genuine respect I have for this organization, its members, and its mission are the motivation behind me running for State Bar president-elect​. I would be honored to serve with integrity, collaboration, and a focus on the future.