Candidate for Secretary

Joseph M. Cardamone III

Kenosha County Corporation Counsel, Kenosha​
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Platform Statement

I am grateful and honored to be nominated for secretary of the State Bar of Wisconsin. I have a strong commitment to both public service and the bar and view this as an opportunity to continue to give back to both the profession and the organization.

I have been actively involved with the State Bar for over 20 years, including service on numerous committees, serving on the boards and as president for both the Young Lawyers and Government Lawyers divisions, and several terms on the Board of Governors, including serving as its chair from July 2023 to June 2024. This involvement has given me a variety of experiences which has helped shape my belief that State Bar leadership requires serving as a liaison between members, officers, and staff. It has also given me great insight into the State Bar, its mission, and its importance to its members. If fortunate enough to be elected secretary, I intend to ensure that lines of communication remain open and go both ways – to and from the membership. I intend to draw upon my experience with the State Bar to push for new avenues for delivering value to members while providing sound advice to leadership as appropriate. Finally, I want to ensure that the State Bar continues to provide professional service to its members, educates the population about the vital importance of the legal profession, and promotes access to justice throughout the State of Wisconsin.

I thank you for your consideration and would be honored by your support.

Biography

Upon graduating from law school, I took a position as an Assistant District Attorney in Kenosha and haven’t left the area since. After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, I worked for five years as an associate in a small general practice firm and then as a solo practitioner for about three years. In 2009, I started working for the Kenosha County Corporation Counsel’s Office full time and was eventually appointed corporation counsel, a position which I have held for 10 years. This career path has given me experience in both the private and public sectors and familiarity with most areas of law.

As corporation counsel, I serve as the top civil attorney for the county, where my duties are primarily focused on advising the county executive, the county board, and the various departments and divisions on legal matters and procedures.

Education

J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School (1998)

B.A., Carleton College (1994)

State Bar of Wisconsin Participation Highlights

Board of Governors (four terms as governor, chair, 7/23-6/24)

Executive Committee (four terms as member, chair, 7/23-6/24)

Government Lawyers Division (current member, former member of board of directors, former Division president)

Young Lawyers Division (former member of board of directors, former secretary, former Division president)

Wisconsin Law Foundation (former member of board of directors)