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    Wisconsin Lawyer
    July 01, 2002

    Legal News and Trends

    Wisconsin Lawyer
    Vol. 75, No. 7, July 2002

    Legal News & Trends

    Supreme court needs volunteers to serve on new Ethics Committee

    The Wisconsin Supreme Court is seeking lawyers and nonlawyers for a new Ethics Committee that will review lawyer ethics recommendations from the ABA and determine whether Wisconsin should adopt them in whole or in part. Appointments to the Ethics Committee will be made in the fall.

    The ABA created the Ethics 2000 Commission in 1997 to undertake the first comprehensive review of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct since they were adopted in 1983. The rules cover issues such as whether lawyers should be allowed to practice beyond jurisdictions in which they are licensed, whether a lawyer should ever be able to reveal information about a client, and what constitutes a conflict of interest.

    Now that the ABA is wrapping up its work on the model rules, work will begin in Wisconsin and in many other states where professional conduct codes for lawyers generally track the model rules. In Wisconsin, ethics rules for lawyers are set out in Chapter 20 of the Supreme Court Rules, the Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys. Currently, Chapter 20 closely follows the ABA model rules. The new Ethics Committee will determine whether, and how, Chapter 20 might be revised to reflect the updated model rules and will present its recommendations to the state supreme court.

    Lawyers and nonlawyers interested in serving on the new committee should send a letter and resume to: Cornelia Clark, Clerk of the Supreme Court, P.O. Box 1688; Madison, WI 53701-1688, fax to Clark's attention at: (608) 267-0640, or email cornelia.clark@courts.state.wi.us.

    Applicants also should indicate if they are interested in being considered for openings on other supreme court boards or committees including: the Board of Administrative Oversight; Board of Bar Examiners; District committees; Fee Arbitration Study Committee; Judicial Commission; Judicial Conduct Advisory Committee; Special Investigator Panel; Preliminary Review Committee; Referee Panel; or State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors public member.

    Marquette University names Geske interim law school dean

    Janine P. GeskeJanine P. Geske was appointed interim dean of the Marquette University Law School, effective July 1, while Marquette University seeks to fill the vacancy left with the death of Dean Howard Eisenberg in early June (See "Remembering Howard Eisenberg."). A national search for a permanent dean for the law school will begin in August with the expectation of having the position filled no later than August 2003.

    "Justice Geske's leadership ability as well as her energy and enthusiasm are well known in this community," said Marquette University President Fr. Robert Wild. "I firmly believe that she will continue to build upon the strong foundation set in place by Dean Howard Eisenberg. We honor his legacy by appointing someone of the caliber of Janine Geske in this position to steer the law school through this time of transition."

    Geske currently serves as a distinguished professor of law at Marquette University Law School and as an associate-adjunct professor in the Marquette University graduate dispute resolution program in Milwaukee. She served as interim Milwaukee County executive from Feb. 28 to May 6, 2002. Geske served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 1993 - 98. From 1981 - 93, she was a Milwaukee County circuit court judge. Prior to becoming a judge, Geske served as chief staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and then as clinical director and assistant professor of law at Marquette University. She is the founder of the Marquette University Law School Clinic for the Elderly.

    Attorneys are electronically plugged in, are you?

    How do you rank?

    Lawyers who regularly use portable computers: 49 percent

    Lawyers who use personal digital assistants to manage work-related activities while out of the office: 36 percent

    Source: A nationwide poll conducted by The Affiliates, a provider of professionals for law offices and corporate legal departments.


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