April 8, 2009 – For the 2007-09 Legislative session, the State Bar of Wisconsin recognized four legislators with its Scales of Justice Award for their work on a sound and just state legal system. Senators Michael Ellis (R-Neenah) and Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac) were previously recognized by the Board of Governors for their legislative efforts to protect and improve our justice system.

2009 Legislative Oversight Committee Chairperson Michael Rosenberg presents Scales of Justice Award to Representative Colón. Representative Colón accepts Scales of Justice Award.

The State Bar was recently honored to present the award to Representative Pedro Colón in his district at the United Community Center in Milwaukee last Tuesday. He was recognized for his leadership in enacting 2007 Wisconsin Act 110, a bill that creates important safeguards for Latino consumers of legal services.

The English term for notary publics is confusingly similar to the Spanish term for lawyer – some individuals took advantage of that fact to mislead the public and engage in the unlicensed practice of law – a practice that could cause enormous hardship for the victims.

Representative Colón’s efforts helped put an end to that scam and the revised law offers a welcome example of how Wisconsin can move to protect vulnerable citizens. It is also an illustration of how one determined legislator who is alert to developments impacting his constituents can make a difference and contribute to the overall effectiveness of our justice system.

“I am honored to be presented with an award for something I feel is not only a corner stone of a successful court system, but also provides consumer protection to our citizens,” stated Representative Colón.

Atty. Michael Rosenberg, chair of the State Bar’s Legislative Oversight Committee, presented Representative Colón with the award. Others in attendance included: Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson; Ricardo Diaz, executive director, United Community Center; Lisa Roys, public affairs director, State Bar of Wisconsin; and family and friends of the representative.

Representative Colón was elected to office in 1998 and has been re-elected every two years since then. He now serves as vice co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance.

Rotunda Report is a new newsletter, issued once every two weeks, from the State Bar of Wisconsin that highlights legislative, judicial and administrative developments that impact the legal profession and the justice system. It is produced by the Bar’s Government Relations Team and is distributed free to attorneys, public officials and others who help shape public policy in Wisconsin. We invite your suggestions to make the Rotunda Report more informative and useful and we encourage you to visit our website for the most current information about justice-related issues.

© 2009, State Bar of Wisconsin