Turning Lawyers into Leaders
Leadership development is an investment in a lawyer’s future and pays back the initial training cost many times over in improved performance and increased job satisfaction. In addition, leadership skills courses benefit individuals by:
- Clarifying values and promoting a clearly defined career path
- Strengthening critical thinking and communication skills
- Creating well-rounded employees and enhancing team dynamics
- Demonstrating that people from all walks of life can be great leaders
- Surrounding them with successful people who want to effect change
- Increasing confidence
To view the full list of Leadership Academy Alumni Participants, click the button below.
View the alumni list
2025-26 Leadership Academy
Application deadline 9/15/25
2025-26 Application Instructions
2025-26 Application (fillable PDF)
Check back for 2025-26 documents
Mission of the G. Lane Leadership Academy:
To provide a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers essential leadership skills, strategies, and resources necessary to empower them to become effective leaders in their careers; their local and state bar associations; their local communities and organizations; and the legal profession.
The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy is a comprehensive leadership development-training program created by the State Bar’s Leadership Development Committee. It’s specifically designed to empower participants with the skills, strategies, and resources to become effective leaders in their careers, communities, local and state bar associations, and the profession itself. The presenters are highly regarded national and regional speakers in their respective fields.
“Wisconsin lawyers have a strong history of leadership of our profession, our communities, and our public life. This is a bold step to assure that we will identify, train, and embed a new generation of lawyer-leaders.”
Ralph Cagle,
State Bar President 2015-16
“Looking back, I wish I had gotten started in leadership much earlier in my career. My advice is don’t wait. The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy is a tremendous opportunity to learn valuable communication and organizational skills for leadership positions of all kinds – in State Bar and legal associations, in the community, and even in your own workplace.”
Fran Deisinger,
State Bar President 2016-17
“The Academy will equip our lawyers with essential skills, tools, and resources to effectively lead and inspire others. This program creates a unique opportunity for lawyers to develop diverse, professional networks and personal relationships with their colleagues and to improve their professional confidence and career satisfaction.”
Renee Nawrocki
Former Leadership Development Committee Chair
Discover what past participants have to say about the program.
The course teaches participants how to:
- Develop your time management skills to enhance productivity and efficiency
- Polish your public speaking to build your reputation and win over your audience
- Deal effectively with conflicts and turn disputes into opportunities for growth and teamwork
- Build active listening skills that promote straightforward, competent dialogue
- Use effective written and oral communication to connect with others and build trust and respect within your organization
"I did not know what to expect from this Academy, but every day, I walked away with new skills and mindsets that I've integrated into my work and life. I also left with new motivation to apply myself towards bigger career and life goals."
- Paige Juel, 2023-24 G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy
"The G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy is a valuable experience for all lawyers seeking to positively impact their workplaces, communities, and the State Bar. Hats off to the leadership Development Committee of the State Bar for creating a great environment to learn from accomplished leaders, engage with our fellow attendees, and set goals for our own leadership development. All lawyers are called to be leaders in some context, and the Leadership Academy prepares its students to be effective ones."
- Michael Jurkash, 2023-24 G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy
The 2024-25 Leadership Academy Class
Schedule and Deadlines
2025-26 SCHEDULE:
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Session 1: November 14 & 15, 2025
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Session 2: January 16 & 17, 2026
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Session 3: April 24 & 25, 2026
2025-26 DEADLINES:
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Mon. September 15, 2025: Applications Due
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Fri. October 3, 2025: Participants Notified of Acceptance
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Fri. October 10, 2025: $400 Registration Fee Due
Cost, Location, Scholarships, CLE
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Cost: The cost to attend the Leadership Academy is $400. Breakfast and lunch is included. Participants will be responsible for travel and accommodation expenses. Reduced rate lodging is within blocks.
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Location: All sessions will be held at the State Bar Center, 5302 Eastpark Blvd., Madison
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Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships provided by the Wisconsin Law Foundation's G. Lane Ware Leadership Fund are available. See application to apply for a scholarship.
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CLE: Credits will be applied for after the first session. (Credits will be for the total program and not for each session.)
Program Agenda and Speakers
2025-26 Leadership Academy Agenda - not finalized yet, please check back later
2024-25 Leadership Academy Speaker Bios - not finalized yet, please check back later
To Apply for the next seesion of the G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy:
I'm sorry, it is too early to apply for the 2025-26 session. Please check back in a few months when the Application link is uploaded and available below.
Please check back for program information being developed for the 2025-26 Academy.
Contact
Annette Ashley if you have questions regarding the program.
Can't Make the 2025-26 Leadership Academy Dates?
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Here's the tentative 2026-27 Leadership Academy Dates:
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Session 1: November 13 & 14, 2026
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Session 2: January 23 & 24, 2027
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Session 3: April 16 & 17, 2027
Contact Annette Ashley if you have questions regarding the program.
If you are a young lawyer interested in greater engagement in the State Bar,
you may be interested in attending the Leadership Summit to learn more
about the organization and help you find your niche.
For more details, please go to:
State Bar of Wisconsin Leadership Summit.
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If you would like to learn more about the State Bar of Wisconsin's Leadership Academy Program,
Ready.Set.Practice Mentoring Program,
