Members of the Sheboygan County Bar Association (pictured) met with OLR director Tim Samuelson and State Bar executive director Larry Martin, WisLAP manager Julia Persike, and Practice411 manager Christopher Shattuck in August. These outreach meetings offer important opportunities to connect with and learn from State Bar members across the state.
This summer, I again hit the road to meet and connect with State Bar of Wisconsin members where they live and work.
In 2021, I traveled across northwestern Wisconsin, meeting members in coordination with local bar associations. This year, I connected with members in six counties – Manitowoc, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Shawano, and Sheboygan – over two and one-half days in August. I traveled with Timothy Samuelson, Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) director; Julia Persike, WisLAP manager; and Christopher Shattuck, State Bar Practice411™ law practice manager.
A goal of Judge Samuelson is to create a better understanding of the OLR’s role and purpose and how we can work together to prevent or mitigate disciplinary issues. Tim is a great guy who is working hard to make the OLR more accessible and approachable for the profession and the public.
These trips remind me of both the great need for legal services and the incredible opportunities that exist to establish and maintain a thriving practice in the more rural parts of Wisconsin. Lawyers tell me they are busier than ever.
During my travels, I’ve been meeting our 21 new Board of Governors members and Building Bridges Liaison leaders. I listened and learned and, most important, I connected with the capable individuals who have stepped up to help lead the State Bar. The State Bar continues to be in good hands!
My travel will continue this fall and winter. One of my swings will be back to northwestern Wisconsin: a late-fall tour to meet with members in Chippewa Falls, Siren, Hayward, Hurley, and Merrill. Although there are relatively few attorneys outstate, their membership in the State Bar is important and valued. Rest assured; I will also continue to travel throughout the southern part of our state. I look forward to more opportunities to connect, listen, and learn.
» Cite this article: 95 Wis. Law. 7 (October 2022).