Sept. 1, 2021 – Having the confidence to ask for what you want – such as a new leadership position in your firm – is the first step in getting it, says Milwaukee attorney April Toy.

But gaining that confidence can be a challenge.

Toy, an associate in Hinshaw & Culbertson’s business litigation practice group, found her confidence when she attended the State Bar of Wisconsin G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy.

She joined the academy for two reasons: to become more involved with the State Bar, and to gain skills on effective leadership.

The result? “The academy gave me confidence to ask for leadership positions within my own firm,” Toy said.

And, she says, it gave her so much more.

About the Leadership Academy

The Leadership Academy is a multisession training program – with three, two-day sessions in November, February, and April – that fosters leadership skills in Wisconsin lawyers.

Toy attended the academy in 2018-19. The session gave her “invaluable leadership skills,” she said. “It is definitely a pipeline to leadership positions” in the State Bar and elsewhere, such as your firm.

Not only that, “the connections you make are really special,” she said.

She learned skills she uses daily – including those involving networking. “I’ve always approached networking as trying to meet as many people as possible. I’m outgoing, so sometimes my approach feels more like quantity over quality,” she said.

“The presenter suggested that making just one or two quality connections is a great goal,” she said. “I’m more intentional now. I slow down and focus on meaningful conversations.”

Boost Your Career

The Leadership Academy is a comprehensive leadership development-training program created by the State Bar’s Leadership Development Committee. It’s specifically designed to empower participants with the skills, strategies, and resources to become effective leaders in their careers, communities, local and state bar associations, and the legal profession. The presenters are highly regarded national and regional speakers in their respective fields.

The course teaches participants how to:

• develop time management skills to enhance productivity and efficiency;

• become a more confident, dynamic speaker;

• deal effectively with conflicts and turn disputes into opportunities for growth and teamwork;

• build active listening skills that promote straightforward, competent dialogue; and

• use effective written and oral communication to connect with others and build trust and respect within an organization.

The next session of the Leadership Academy begins in November, and Wisconsin lawyers are encouraged to join the program – the deadline to apply is Sept. 13, 2021.

Apply by Sept. 13 for 2021-22 G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy

Join the program that gives lawyers the skills, strategies, and resources they need to become effective leaders in the profession and their community. Learn more about the G. Lane Ware Leadership Academy.

Topics include: effective written and verbal communication, time management, public speaking, conflict resolution, active listening, community leadership, and networking. The program will be submitted for CLE credit.

• When: Two-day sessions on Nov. 5-6, 2021; Jan. 21-22, 2022; and April 8-9, 2022. Attendance at all sessions is required. Please note: in the event we are unable to meet in person in November due to the pandemic, we will instead shift this​ session to March 4-5, 2022. Please hold both dates open; a decision will be made before the registration deadlin​e.
• Where: State Bar Center, Madison
• Apply by: Sept. 13, 2021 (space is limited)
• Cost: $325. A limited number of tuition scholarships are available on the basis of financial need. For more information, review the application instructions.

To apply: ​Review the application instructions and submit your application by Sept. 13. Applicants will be notified of selection by Oct. 1, 2021.