Dec. 16, 2009 – Members of the State Bar’s Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) heard testimony Dec. 10 – 12 from over two dozen colleagues, including several former State Bar presidents, over three days of public hearings regarding the mandatory/voluntary State Bar membership study.

The hearings capped a two-month effort by committee members to gather comments from as many State Bar members as possible before the panel develops its recommendations for the Board of Governors. Written comments were submitted by nearly 3,000 members and State Bar-related entities (such as State Bar committees and sections) since early October.

Committee Chair John P. Macy has stressed from the outset of the process that the committee intends to be as transparent as possible as it gathers written comments and verbal testimony. The written comments and a complete transcript of the public hearing are posted on WisBar. Macy added that committee members were very pleased with the number of verbal and written responses they received and wished to thank all participating State Bar members for taking the time to share their views on this important matter.

The information gathered over the past two months by the SPC will be used to develop recommendations for the BOG prior to that group’s February 2010 meeting. The BOG is expected to determine whether to take any action regarding the mandatory/voluntary Bar issue by June 2010, including whether or not to submit a petition to the Supreme Court to change the current status of the State Bar.

Additional information about the process, including a message from State Bar President Douglas W. Kammer, is available at www.wisbar.org/stratplancomm.

Related articles:

State Bar seeks insights on mandatory/voluntary bar issue – Oct. 6, 2009

Comments regarding the mandatory/voluntary bar issue welcome – Dec. 2, 2009

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