The State Bar of Wisconsin Children and the Law Section is comprised of State Bar members from diverse backgrounds. Section board members include prosecutors, defense attorneys, guardians ad litem, family law attorneys, and those practicing in several different areas involving children. The section itself represents an even more diverse practice area from around the Wisconsin.
Join Us for Feb. 22 Section Board Meeting
The Children and the Law Section has a dynamic board with robust positions on almost every aspect of the law affecting children in Wisconsin. The board really hopes that members can join in its Feb. 22, 2019, meeting to share insights and information. If attorneys are interested in getting more involved with the section board, there are annual elections for board positions – keep an eye out for those materials later this spring.
Katie Holtz, U.W. 2008, is an assistant state public defender with the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, Milwaukee, where she represents children in delinquency and CHIPS proceedings, and parents in termination of parental rights cases.
The Children and the Law Section board members invite section members to join them in their February board meeting.
The meeting is 12:30-3:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019 at at the State Bar Center, 5302 Eastpark Blvd., Madison. Those attending the meeting are also invited to lunch at noon.
Those who cannot come to Madison may attend via GoToMeeting at http://www.gotomeet.me/sbwroom9, or via phone, toll-free at (877) 309-2073, or (646) 749-3129 and use access code: 711-575-685.
If you would like to attend the meeting, please RSVP to Alison Buckley by Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at abuckley@wisbar.org or (800) 444-9404, ext. 6124.
Update on Section Activities
In addition to work done every day, there are ongoing activities that the section board is working on.
The board, working with one of the State Bar’s government relations coordinators, stays abreast of the many laws that are under consideration by the Wisconsin legislature. Based on votes by board members, the section takes positions on legislation that has broad enough appeal to satisfy the diverse interests of the board. Other times, the board monitors and does not take any action.
One of the workgroups in place for several years focuses on minor guardianships laws. This group works with statewide stakeholders focusing on legislation ensuring that the guardianship statutes address the needs of minor children, their families, and their guardians. This has been an ongoing process for many years. Progress continues, and hopefully there will be more information coming in the next few months about specifics.
Another area where the section has been working on with potential legislation and policy changes is in the area of indiscriminate shackling of juveniles in custody. These discussions are still in the early stages and the section board is certainly supportive of any jurisdictions who are pursuing this reform on a local level.
The section periodically plans, organizes, or sponsors continuing legal education credits. These are often topics of interest to members. The section is currently co-sponsoring an upcoming interdisciplinary seminar, “Addressing Allegations and Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse in Family Law Cases,” on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee. CLE and GAL credits will be applied for. To register, visit the Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin website.
