Feb. 5, 2025 – I have always admired the generosity of my fellow citizens when it comes to volunteering their time for their communities in so many ways.

I live in a small town in Green County and there is an endless string of opportunities in which to be involved – from civic development, to coaching, to tree-planting. It is a deeply ingrained part of the social fabric of my community and, probably of yours as well.

The volunteer ethic is an important one and builds communities. I am sure everyone reading this column has made their own choices of where to make their contributions.

So too with lawyers in the State Bar of Wisconsin community. The State Bar offers a wealth of opportunities to become involved, to serve, and to improve our profession at many levels and on many tasks.

I’m writing today to ask you to consider stepping forward to accept the challenge of volunteering your time to help the State Bar and those it serves.

As the new president-elect, I have a front row seat to what the State Bar does. There are hundreds of attorneys at work on the various committees, sections, and divisions working hand in hand with the State Bar staff to improve our profession.

Benefits of Volunteer Work

This volunteerism is a two-way street. By volunteering your time, you will indeed help the State Bar with its program goals. You will complete valuable work and advance our collective goal of improving our chosen profession. Your fellow attorneys will benefit from your work.

But it’s also an opportunity to come together with your colleagues in the law in ways you might not have anticipated. It will be a chance to teach others as you learn yourself. You will meet people from across the state, and even beyond. Some will have life and professional experiences that you will certainly benefit from getting to know. And you will bring your own valuable insights into the questions at hand.

Choose Your Commitment

Appointments to standing committees include three-year terms, and appointments to special committees are for one-year terms. All committee appointments begin with the State Bar’s fiscal year that starts July 1.

Please take a moment to visit the Leadership Opportunities and committees pages and submit a Volunteer Interest Form today. I and other members of leadership look forward to benefiting from your participation.

Thank you.