March 15, 2017 – George Brown has served the State Bar of Wisconsin for nearly 30 years in various roles – the last 16 as executive director. Brown retires July 1.

“George's impact on the State Bar of Wisconsin has been perhaps the most consequential of any person in the recent history of the bar,” said State Bar Past President Ralph Cagle. “He has built an organization and professional staff that provides one of the most complete arrays of services to members of any bar in the country.”

The State Bar and the Wisconsin Law Foundation invite you to raise a glass to honor Brown at receptions held in Madison, Green Bay, and Milwaukee in April and May:

• Brocach Irish Pub: 7 W. Main St., Madison; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017

• Titletown Brewing Company: 200 Dousman St., Green Bay; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, 2017

• Louise’s Restaurant: 801 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 4, 2017

Brown has served in the State Bar’s chief executive officer role since May 2000, guiding program and policy direction and the implementation of policy decisions set by the State Bar’s 52-member board. Under his leadership, the State Bar has become a viable organization with more tools to assist its 25,000 members.

“I believe in what this organization is doing,” said Brown. “And I believe that lawyers are the true guardians of society. It’s a privilege to help attorneys in the work they do.”

Brown will be succeeded by Associate Executive Director Larry Martin. Martin, also the current director of the Wisconsin Law Foundation, has served in two staff leadership roles since joining the State Bar in 2011, first as the State Bar’s member services director, then advancing to associate executive director in 2014.

Read InsideTrack to find out more about Brown and his career with the State Bar. Learn more about Martin in this article in InsideTrack.