Back to State Bar 2016 Election Officer Candidates.

Candidate for President-elect

John E. Danner

Harrold, Scrobell & Danner S.C., Minoqua
Email: jdanner@hsdlaw.net

Platform Statement

I am honored and humbled to be nominated for State Bar President-elect. I do not take this honor lightly, as I believe the successful continued future of the State Bar hinges upon retaining the vitality of the membership and expanding members’ participation. I practice in a four-person firm in Minocqua in the family law and bankruptcy areas. I also assist other lawyers and their clients involved in litigation by mediating their disputes.

I am a member of the Iowa State Bar Association since graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law and passing the Iowa Bar Examination in 1979. It is a voluntary organization. While the State Bar of Wisconsin is an involuntary organization, it is incumbent upon its governing body to create an atmosphere such that we want to be members in spite of the fact that we are required to be members. This change in attitude could result in more members becoming involved. This becomes important as we examine our demographics and realize that we will become an organization with fewer members joining and more members leaving through retirement. Law school admissions are reduced, with fewer lawyers entering practice. From a purely budgetary perspective, the State Bar will become more reliant upon non-dues revenue to sustain itself. The State Bar’s current business plan and initiatives in this area are a strong beginning; it must continue to evolve along with its changing membership.

Legislative Priorities

I was appointed to serve on the Judicial Election Steering Committee after the Board of Governors endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment modifying the terms of the Supreme Court Justices. If adopted, it would strengthen the independence of the Court by limiting justices to a single 16-year term. In the past 2 ½ years, it has become obvious that the State Bar’s influence with the legislature is not as great as it should be. We need to examine our lobbying strategy to increase the State Bar’s influence in the legislative process. The State Bar needs to find a way to assist the legislators in governing in a bipartisan manner as opposed to the current line drawing in the sand strategy.

All Wisconsin lawyers are facing different economic times than five or 10 years ago. New lawyers are saddled with debt that makes practicing law without other sources of income nearly impossible. Other professions, such as education and health care, successfully obtained legislation for their members to have student loans forgiven should they practice their professions in certain demographic areas. With the ever-changing practice of law, there could be counties in our state without practicing attorneys. There is no reason that our profession cannot seek out similar legislation.

Member Services

Among many lawyers there is a perception that the State Bar does not meet their needs, and they are members solely because they are mandated to be such. Over the past several years, State Bar presidents Klein, Fiedler, Gagan, and now Cagle have undertaken initiatives to improve its standing among its members. These initiatives are important and should be expanded. The State Bar should treat its members as if it were a voluntary organization, striving to achieve among the membership as a whole a strong desire to belong and participate. Without participation, it is weakened. I have served as an officer of my local bar association for four years. I was a member of the Bench-Bar Relations Committee in the late 1980s, serving as chairperson for one year, and again a member in the early 2000s. I served on the Board of Professional Responsibility, and later the Office of Lawyer Regulation District 16 Committee for several years, including as chairperson. I served on the Board of Governors from District 16 in 2012 and 2014. I see the importance of participation and service to the State Bar, and will encourage any endeavor to impress upon its membership to do the same.

Summary

I am humbled by this nomination. I hope to meet as many Wisconsin attorneys as I am able during the course of this campaign, and as well, if I am fortunate enough to be elected. I have chosen not to ask past presidents for their public support of my candidacy, as this places them in an awkward and potentially uncomfortable position. I welcome any support that is given, and look forward to serving you. If elected, I will continue to encourage participation in the State Bar by both those who are already participating, and those whom I am able to recruit to participate.

Biography

Current position: Shareholder in Harrold, Scrobell & Danner, S.C.

Professional Background

I graduated from Loras College in 1972 with a degree in Speech. At the time, I was employed as a broadcast journalist at the KDTH stations in Dubuque. I attended West Virginia University from 1972-73, taking graduate courses in Speech Communication and Behavior, and returned to Dubuque in 1973. In 1974, I became employed by the WOC stations in Davenport, Iowa, doing radio and television news and sports. It was in 1976 that I chose to return to school and the University of Iowa, intending to use my law degree in the field of broadcast journalism.

Life takes interesting turns, and my wife, Randi and I, moved to Minocqua, Wisconsin in 1979 where I joined the firm of Lund, Harrold & Akey, S.C., and we have been here since. Our current firm was created in 1984. We have raised our daughters Stacey, Tricia and Melissa, who are now married and we have five grandchildren. We are fortunate enough to live in an area where many lawyers seek to vacation and retire, and our advantage is that we don’t drive several hours to arrive at that special place “north of the tension zone.”

Professional Activities

Member:

State Bar of Wisconsin and the Iowa State Bar Association
Board of Governors, representing District 16 (2012-present)
Board of Governors Executive Committee (2014-present)
Board of Governors Strategic Plan Joint Review Committee (2015-present)
Board of Governors Strategic Planning Committee (2012-present)
Board of Governors Reapportionment Committee (2014-2015)
Judicial Selection Steering Committee (2013-present)
Wisconsin Law Foundation Fellows (2009-present)
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Director (1998-present)
Circuit Court Commissioner - Oneida County
State Bar Membership Committee (2008-09)
Bench Bar Relations Committee (1989-1995; 2001-2008; 2010-2011)
State Bar CLE Committee (2001-2004; 2008-2012)

Community Service

Northwoods Wildlife Center, Inc., Director (1979-1992)
Lakeland Union High School Board of Education (1988-1994)
Coach - PeeWee Football (1982-1984)
Coordinator and Head Chef - Holy Family Parish Annual Communitywide Thanksgiving Dinner (1988-present)
WIAA Registered official (1984-present)
NCAA Registered official (1993-present)

Education

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D. (1979)
West Virginia University graduate study (1972-73)
Loras College, B.A. (1972) ​