Candidate for Treasurer
Paul G. Swanson
Steinhilber, Swanson, Mares, Marone & McDermott, Oshkosh
Email: pswanson@oshkoshlawyers.com
Platform Statement
I am honored to be nominated for the position of Treasurer for the State Bar of Wisconsin. I have served on the Board of Governors, the Finance Committee, and the Executive Committee for the last several years. On Finance, I learned the economics of running our Bar Association. The Committee resisted an increase in the dues and held it off for three years before recommending the increase which was implemented last year. We looked at both increasing revenues and controlling expenditures, encouraging staff to become “lean and mean,” while also fostering an entrepreneurial focus developing new sources of revenue to fund our organization.
As State Bar Treasurer, I would continue on the Finance Committee and help implement the long-range financial plan, which will ensure the financial viability of our Association, hopefully without further dues increases. I would be a steward of our Association’s finances for the benefit of its members and its goals, ensuring that members optimize the benefits received for their dues.
Since becoming a lawyer, I have been involved in State Bar governance. I served on the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board, and ultimately served as YLD President. I remain closely involved with the State Bar’s Bankruptcy Section. As the elected Section Chair, I helped develop a successful program to provide unique educational experiences at the Section’s annual retreat and generate income to fund the Section’s activities.
I believe that I have the experience and the dedication to be State Bar Treasurer, and respectfully request your vote.
Biography
Paul G. Swanson is a partner in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin law firm of Steinhilber, Swanson, Mares, Marone & McDermott (also known as Steinhilber, Swanson & Resop in Madison, Wisconsin). He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, with a major in accounting, and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1979. He is a board certified Bankruptcy Specialist in both Business and Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and has been since 1993. His practice consists of representing individuals and businesses in financial reorganizations, restructurings, bankruptcy, receiverships, and other debt adjustment strategies.
He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Wisconsin, as well as on the Executive Committee. He is the past Chair, and continues to serve on, the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the State Bar and is the past Chair of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency and Creditors Rights Section. He is past President of the State Bar Young Lawyers Division and has served several terms on the Board of Governors. He is a frequent lecturer on a national basis on topics related to bankruptcy.
Admissions, Activities and Honors
Admitted to practice Wisconsin - 1979
Court Admissions
- State of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Association Memberships
- Winnebago County Bar Association
- National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- American Bar Association
Activities
- Wisconsin State Bar, Board of Governors, Chairperson 2014-2015
- Wisconsin State Bar, Board of Governors, Member 2007- current
- Wisconsin State Bar, Continuing Legal Education Committee, Chair 2011-2014
- State Bar of Wisconsin, Executive Committee 2010- current
- Wisconsin Law Foundation, Fellow 2007 – current
- National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees - President 2004-2005
- State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division - President 1986-1987
