Dec. 20, 2023 – The benefits are many, say those who have served as leaders in their State Bar of Wisconsin divisions. Now is the time to apply to run for a leadership position.
Three State Bar divisions are accepting nominations for candidates for their 2024 elections: The Government Lawyers Division; Nonresident Lawyers Division; and Young Lawyers Division.
About Division Leadership Elections
Most positions are for two-year terms. The president-elect serves a one-year term before serving a one-year term as president, followed by serving another year as past president.
Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to run for all State Bar leadership positions.
Persons elected take office July 1, 2024.
Nominations for all positions are due Jan. 31, 2024. Voting takes place in April.
Members of the Senior Lawyers Division with questions about division elections should contact Karen Beall at the State Bar.
Jump to information about elections for:
Government Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
“Through our participation, the State Bar benefits from being apprised of – and, hopefully, developing a better understanding of – the issues facing government lawyers,” said Government Lawyers Division President Peter Tempelis.
The Government Lawyers Division (GLD) addresses the concerns of government-employed attorneys. The division includes state attorneys, state public defenders, state prosecutors, corporation counsel, family court commissioners, city attorneys, U.S. attorneys, and others.
“I encourage government lawyers to be involved on the GLD board because we have unique experiences and expertise to share with statewide lawyers,” said GLD President Peter Tempelis. “Through our participation, the State Bar benefits from being apprised of – and, hopefully, developing a better understanding of – the issues facing government lawyers. That understanding is critical to ensuring that lawyers receive the support necessary to effectively serve the public.”
Open positions for GLD leadership for 2024-25 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
three board of director positions (2-year term).
The GLD board typically meets five times per year, twice in a virtual format and three times in person. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. The past president also serves on the State Bar Board of Governors.
To apply: GLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2024.
Nonresident Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
“Serving on the board has been, hands down, one of my favorite volunteer activities,” said Nonresident Lawyers Division President Melodie Wiseman.
The Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) promotes greater communication and business opportunities among nonresident lawyers, and organizes and oversees the growing network of local State Bar chapters nationwide.
“The NRLD board is an excellent way to remain connected to a global community of licensed lawyers. I felt quite disconnected from the State Bar before I ran for a director position on the NLRD,” said NRLD President Melodie Wiseman. “Serving on the board has been, hands down, one of my favorite volunteer activities. The NRLD’s work is woven into the fabric of the bar’s policies and procedures impacting the nonresident legal community. The board provides an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the State Bar’s connection with out-of-state and international lawyers.
“I encourage those of you who want to have a voice on how the State Bar interacts with, serves, and educates lawyers to run for a director position,” Wiseman said.
Open positions for NRLD leadership for 2024-25 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term); and
five board of director positions (2-year term).
The NRLD board typically meets two times per year in person and four times virtually. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. The division president-elect, president, and past president serve on the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors.
To apply: NRLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2024. A nominating committee will recommend a slate of candidates for the election. Voting takes place in April.
Young Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
“Serving on the YLD Board has given me the opportunity to develop leadership and networking skills,” said Young Lawyers Division President Tiffany Woelfel.
The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is committed to providing leadership training, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities to its members, who are lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36.
“I highly encourage any young lawyer to run for election to the YLD Board,” said YLD President Tiffany Woelfel. “I first joined the board on the advice of a mentor, who mentioned it was a great way to meet attorneys around the state. It has turned into more than that.
“Serving on the YLD Board has given me the opportunity to develop leadership and networking skills. It has allowed me to serve young lawyers throughout the state by putting on relevant programming and planning useful networking opportunities. It has allowed me to advocate on behalf of young lawyers to issues of importance within the State Bar. It has also given me the opportunity to represent Wisconsin at ABA conferences around the country.”
“Serving on the Board is a tremendous opportunity,” said Woelfel.
Open positions for YLD leadership for 2024-25 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term); and
five board of director positions (2-year terms).
The YLD includes lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36. The YLD board typically meets four times per year in person and one time virtually. Travel to in person meetings and networking events are reimbursed. The past president also serves as the YLD representative on the State Bar Board of Governors.
To apply: YLD members should complete the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to Katie Castle-Wisman by Jan. 31, 2024.
Find out about other State Bar leadership opportunities.
Vote in April: Look for Your Email Ballot
All State Bar elections (including for State Bar divisions and sections) will be held via an electronic ballot in 2024, starting April 11, 2024.
The election closes at noon Central time on April 26, 2024.
To ensure you receive your State Bar election ballot, add noreply@directvote.net as an approved sender in your inbox sometime before April 1. This prevents the ballot from being identified as spam.
Please note: If you have placed any holds on emails from the State Bar, you may not receive an electronic ballot. Contact Customer Service at (800) 444-9404 to verify that your account is set up to receive your email ballot.
State Bar members with no email address on file will receive paper ballots. Paper ballots will be mailed on April 10, 2024.
