Inside the Bar
June 2008
May convention swears in State Bar president, recognizes members'
public service and lifetime legal profession contributions
The State Bar Annual Convention is largest gathering of Wisconsin
lawyers, when lawyers and judges come together for networking, CLE, and
recognition of colleagues. The 2008 convention in May was no exception.
More than 50 lawyers and organizations were recognized at this
year’s convention in May.
Diel sworn in as president. Solo practitioner Diane
S. Diel of Milwaukee was sworn in as the 53rd State Bar president. Chief
Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson administered the oath of office. Her term
begins July 1.
Diel pledged as top priorities for the State Bar, to help Wisconsin
citizens who can’t afford an attorney get fair hearings in court
and educate all state residents about our legal system: “Much is
at stake for attorneys and all of us in Wisconsin, including threats to
impartial courts and the ability of every citizen to access
justice.”
Diel noted that work to expand access to legal representation in
civil legal cases is already under way. “Like all states,
Wisconsin provides legal representation for low- and moderate-income
citizens charged with criminal offenses but, as documented in the State
Bar’s Bridging the Gap: Wisconsin's Unmet Legal Needs
report, few resources are available to help people facing child custody,
landlord-tenant, or other disputes that can dramatically affect them and
their families. That’s why Wisconsin needs an Access to Justice
Commission – a step that’s already working in other states
– to come to grips with a very real problem affecting tens of
thousands of very real people.
Wisconsin lawyers will continue to donate hundreds of thousands of
hours of free legal services each year, but because this will never be
enough to bridge the justice gap. Attorneys also bear a special
responsibility to encourage the Legislature and others to respond to
those needs,” Diel said.
Diel also plans to educate the public about our justice system and
the way we select judges in Wisconsin: “I will work to do all that
I can to assure that the State Bar of Wisconsin continues to move
forward to assure a fair and impartial judiciary. Our reputation as a
state typified by clean politics and clean elections has been undercut.
The campaign assaults by special interest groups on the airwaves in
Wisconsin must be countered with both factual information about our
legal heritage and an impassioned defense of the principles that
underlie them.”
50-year members recognized. Twenty-six of the men
and women who achieved 50 years in the practice of law in 2007 attended
the Members’ Recognition luncheon.
Acknowledging the honored members, Chief Justice Abrahamson said,
“Those of us who have been in the bar for 50 years know that we
owe to the community not only practicing law well, but we owe to the
community pro bono service. We know that the bar as an independent group
of individuals committed to the administration of justice play an
important role in our society. We are here today to recognize those of
you who have been in the practice of law for 50 years, and we are here
to recognize your commitment.”
Judicial award. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley presented
the judicial awards on behalf of the Bench and Bar Committee. Portage
County Circuit Court Judge Frederic W. Fleishauer
received the Judge of the Year award.
“In my opinion, Fred is a judge’s judge,” she said.
“He is praised by his peers and he is praised by the folks from
central Wisconsin for his integrity and for his patience. He is
respected by all of those who cross the threshold of his circuit court.
Judge Fleishauer has worked tirelessly to create Justice Works, a
restorative justice program that helps victims and offenders to
become more contributing members of society,” she said.
“By my accepting this award today others miss a turn,”
said Fleishauer. “The distinction of awards like this occurs far
less than the intellect, concern, and commitment shown daily by judges
across the state without any expectation of distinction. Those judges
far exceed in their excellence the ability of the bar or any other
organization to recognize their service. I accept this award in honor of
the service of those judges who bring to the bench each and every day
the qualities which you have honored me.”
Bradleypresented the Lifetime Jurist Achievement Award to retired
Appellate Court Judge Neal P. Nettesheim of
Dousman.
“What a life it has been – a life of service to the
judiciary and commitment to its purpose – a life dedicated to his
family and friends and the people of his community,” said Bradley.
“Neal was Wisconsin’s second longest sitting judge at the
time of his recent retirement. Retirement does not stop his service.
Neal will continue to serve the people of the state of Wisconsin through
his appointment to the Wisconsin Judicial Campaign Integrity
Committee.”
“I accept this award on behalf of my profession on behalf of
all judges – a work in which we are all involved and all
thoroughly committed,’” said Nettesheim. He appealed to
judges and lawyers to, “speak out when we see distortions and
misrepresentations when it comes to the roles of our judicial branch of
government and as to the role of what judges do every day.”
Senior Lawyers Division (SLD) award. SLD President
Donald Heaney, Madison, presented James R. Cripe of
Janesville with the Leonard L. Loeb Award. The award recognizes a lawyer
who has improved the legal system and shown leadership in advancing the
quality of justice for all.
“Jim has carried out in his career the noblest traditions of
pro bono activities,” said Heaney. “He is an example
of what we are supposed to do. A major portion of Jim’s practice
is pro bono work for nonprofit institutions and making presentations to
the public about estate planning and elder care issues. Jim ‘s
career expresses the highest aspirations of the profession.”
Accepting the award, Cripe said, “I feel awkward because I know
that there are many lawyers who have also participated in community
activities and pro bono work and I am just one of many. It happens that
they have picked my name out of the hat. I have been fortunate to have a
law firm that has encouraged and held up with my absences for my time
spent on pro bono and I do appreciate that.”
Wisconsin Law Foundation (WLF) award. Foundation
President James D. Friedman presented the with the Charles L. Goldberg
Award Award to Jeffrey B. Bartell of Madison. The award
recognizes lifetime achievement of legal professionals who have a record
of service to the profession and to the public.
“Jeff’s service to the public is extensive, and his
service to the legal profession is also well known,” said
Friedman. “Jeff has always had the ability to get more out of
people than what they thought they could do themselves. He has an
uncanny ability to read people and to give good judgment and good advice
to clients. Jeff is often described as a lawyer’s lawyer. Jeff is
a good lawyer, a good partner, and a good person.”
“Service to the community and to the bar have really been one
of the great joys of my career,” said Bartell. “It has made
being a lawyer something that I really treasure. When I counsel younger
associates and colleagues about taking their place in the profession and
the social community, I always tell them simply to get involved. I tell
them they should volunteer their time and talents for organizations and
causes and events and clubs that they care about. That it will make a
difference for them.”
Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) award. NRLD
President Donna Jones, Atlanta, presented Nicholas
“Chip” Retson of Alexandria, Va., with the NRLD
Founder’s Award, formerly the Dick O’Melia Award, which
recognizes a nonresident member who has brought positive change to the
division and has actively participated in State Bar activities for many
years.
“Chip is one of the NRLD founders, and in the last 21
years he has provided leadership to the division, the bar, and the
profession by serving in may capacities,” said Jones. “Chip
has served as NRLD president, secretary, treasurer, and several terms as
a director. He has served on several State Bar committees and is a
Fellow of the Wisconsin Law Foundation.”
“It is a great opportunity to be in a bar that has such a
worldwide impact. In my practice I see lawyers from all over the
world,” said Retson. “I am really proud to be a member of
the State Bar of Wisconsin. It’s a professional organization.
It’s a group that leads in the practice of law in the daily lives
of all the communities.”
President’s Award. Lawyers who have made a
difference during President Basting’s term received the
President’s Award.
Basting presented the award to Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee
members Thomas Zilavy, chair, Helen Marks
Dicks, and Jack Zwieg, all of Madison, and
Andrew Chevrez, West Allis.
“For a number of years the State Bar received complaints about
the unauthorized practice of law, and the bar had no where to turn with
those complaints,” said Basting. “It was obvious that
consumers were being harmed. Tom, Helen, Jack, and Andrew have worked
tirelessly for several years to bring this important issue to the
Wisconsin Supreme Court, and they continue to work very hard.”
The petition is currently before the supreme court, and a decision is
expected in the fall of this year.
The next State Bar Annual Convention will be held in Milwaukee, May 6
- 8, 2009.
Read about the Volunteer
Lawyers Recognition Celebration.
Inside the
Bar
