Representing local bar associations accepting awards (from left) Christopher Duesing, Walworth County Bar Association; Jodi Yin and Jennifer Lyn Binkley, Dane County Bar Association; Christy Hall, Racine County Bar Association; Jim Brennan, State Bar President-elect; and Stephanie Hopkins and Kimberley Ward, Vernon County Bar Association. Missing from photo: Lisa Beth Vander Maazen, Outagamie County Bar Association.
June 1, 2011 – The State Bar recognized six local bar associations for public service projects at its spring Bar Leaders’ Conference. Projects included: producing videos related to family law matters and mediation; developing mock trial kits; organizing a campaign to raise awareness of elder abuse issues; creating an educational mediation program; and opening a divorce counseling clinic. The Local Bar Grant Committee makes funds available to local bar associations for new public service projects.
Committee member Grant Birtch and State Bar President-elect Jim Brennan presented the awards at the State Bar in Madison on April 29.
Award of Exceptional Achievement
The Dane County Bar Association produced the third in a series of DVDs on the topic of handling issues relating to children in family law matters. View DVD.
Christy Hall shows conference attendees the Racine County Bar Association’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears Mock Trial Kit.
The Racine County Bar Association developed 20 self-contained Goldilocks and the Three Bears Mock Trial Kits that provide everything a local school or organization needs to know to organize a mock trial. View training video.
The Vernon County Bar Association promoted a number of community events that raised awareness of the many facets of elder abuse and educated the community about local resources. One of the goals of the campaign was to change the attitudes and behaviors toward the elderly.
Awards of Outstanding Achievement
The Dane County Bar Association produced the Dane County Case Mediation Program DVD to help parties resolve civil cases, including family law cases, through voluntary or court-ordered mediation. View DVDs.
The Walworth County Bar Association produced the DVD, “Family Court: Introduction to Mediation and Parenting After Separation.” View DVD.
Award of Achievement
Lisa Beth Vander Maazen accepted the award from State Bar president-elect Jim Brennan for the Outagamie Bar Association’s Self-Help Center free legal clinic.
The Outagamie County Bar Association (OCBA) opened a Self-Help Center free legal clinic. The opening coincided with the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Office of Divorce Counsel by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1909. In 1959, the legislature renamed this position “family court commissioner.” OCBA volunteer attorneys consult on family law matters twice a month at this clinic.
How to apply for a grant
Bar associations can receive grant monies for a new, useful and topical public service project that has statewide application.
For more information about the Local Bar Grant Program, contact Kris Wenzel, (800) 444-9404, ext. 6185.
