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  • December 02, 2015

    Make an Impact: Support the Wisconsin Law Foundation in your End-of-Year Giving

    As the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Law Foundation promotes public understanding of the law and supports creative programs that have a long-lasting, positive impact on Wisconsin youth and adults.

    Wisconsin Law Foundation logoDec. 2, 2015 – People give for a variety of reasons – the desire to help others, personal experience with a program or organization, because it just makes us feel good about ourselves – but everyone wants their gift to make an impact.

    Donating to the Wisconsin Law Foundation ensures your gift will make a difference.

    Please consider giving. Your support will empower the Foundation in 2016 to:

    • Bring our court system to life for more than 1,000 high school students across Wisconsin with the High School Mock Trial program

    • Engage hundreds of Wisconsinites to better understand our third branch of government through the Our Courts Wisconsin program

    • Seed new initiatives that enhance and support diversity in our profession

    • Provide scholarships that assist new lawyers with debt reduction and establishing their practice

    • Fund individual grants to innovative programs that improve our justice system

    • Enable up to 24 future State Bar leaders to participate in the Annual Meeting & Conference in Green Bay through the Don O’Melia Scholarship program

    Mock Trial Builds Future Leaders

    The Foundation supports the High School Mock Trial program, which began in the early 1980s and familiarizes hundreds of Wisconsin students with the American legal system each year by putting them through a trial simulation as lawyers and witnesses.

    The mock trial program builds future leaders. Brian Pierson, a lawyer at Godfrey & Kahn in Milwaukee, recalls the experience of watching his children participate in the Mock Trial program.

    “Mock Trial teaches high school students to understand controlling principles, master a set of facts, and make a cogent, persuasive argument to a group of strangers – a life skill of inestimable value in any field. The experience was terrifying, exhilarating, and tremendously rewarding for my three children,” said Pierson.

    Our Courts Wisconsin Educates the Public

    The Foundation also supports Our Courts Wisconsin, an interactive program that educates the public about the courts and the legal system. Lawyers and judges teach and engage adult audiences through presentations at community centers statewide.

    Scholarships Cultivate Future State Bar Leaders

    Through the Don O’Melia Scholarship program, the Foundation makes an ongoing commitment to support the mentoring and cultivation of the next generation of State Bar leaders.

    This summer, 10 young lawyers received scholarships to pay tuition and meals at the 2015 State Bar Annual Meeting & Conference (AMC) in June. In exchange, the recipients committed to get involved in State Bar leadership by serving on a committee.

    One of the young lawyers, Rose Simon, assistant city attorney with the City of Sheboygan, is now a board member with the Young Lawyers Division, and has joined the Government Lawyers Division, and the Administration and Local Government Section.

    “I didn’t realize how much was out there,” Simon said of the State Bar. “It’s great to make connections with different people throughout the state.”

    Support Access to the Legal System

    The Foundation’s annual grants also help legal organizations provide free or low-cost legal services. In 2015, the Foundation awarded $35,495 to law-related programs, including the Truman Q. McNulty Grants for charitable or educational programs. A recipient of the Truman Q. McNulty Grant is ABC for Health, a nonprofit public interest law firm that helps low-income clients obtain and maintain health care coverage.

    These are just a few of the people and programs that depend on the Wisconsin Law Foundation for their continued success. Even a $10 donation can make a major impact on your profession, future leaders, and local community. Donate now.


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