Dear Members of the State Bar of Wisconsin,

These are challenging and unprecedented times. The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to doing our part in helping to reduce transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect those who are at higher risk with as little disruption as possible.

Our primary goal is your safety, health and well-being, as well as that of our State Bar team. We are also focused on providing continued assistance and services to our members. Please know that the State Bar is committed to assisting you as best we can while trying to minimize disruption.

While we are limiting in-person functions, the core functions of the organization continue, including support from WisLAP, Practice 411 and the Ethics hotline programs. The State Bar is greatly reducing the number of employees working in the State Bar office through remote work arrangements, but our dedicated team will be working just as hard to assist you. Here are some of the other measures the State Bar is taking:

No in-person seminars; webcasts are still available. In-person State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE seminars are suspended through April 30, 2020. However, PINNACLE webcast replays and OnDemand seminars will continue as scheduled.

In lieu of cancellation of in-person seminars, members who were registered to attend in-person PINNACLE seminars may participate via live webcast. Members may also request refunds on any paid in-person event registrations through April 30, 2020.

In-person meetings will be held via teleconference. All in-person board, committee, section and task force meetings will be held in a teleconference format through April 30, 2020. This is inclusive of meetings at the State Bar Center and in off-site locations. For more information, please contact your board, committee, or section liaison.

Major events canceled or postponed. Major upcoming State Bar-sponsored events are canceled or postponed through April 30, 2020, including the annual Young Lawyers Division Conference, which was scheduled for March 20. The Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate debate that was scheduled for March 19 at the State Bar Center is also canceled.

Limiting visitors at the State Bar Center. Starting tomorrow (March 17, 2020), the State Bar Center in Madison will be closed to non-State Bar employees. Please contact customer service if you need assistance, (608) 257-3838, (800) 728-7788 (nationwide), or by email at service@wisbar.org.

Ethics, business continuity and disaster planning. If you have confidential questions, please direct those to the Ethics Hotline at (800) 254-9154 or Practice411 at (800) 957-4670. For additional resources, turn to the Wisconsin Law Firm Self-Assessment section on business continuity and disaster planning.

Ongoing efforts. The State Bar is actively and regularly monitoring this evolving situation and taking direction from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), and other national and local health organizations.

We will continue to make adjustments for both our members and staff as the situation warrants, and keep you informed on the developments through the State Bar's coronavirus-related webpage. Thank you for your support in this effort.

Finally, if we can assist you in any way, please let us know. As we navigate this difficult time, our thoughts are with you, your families, and your communities. We will all get through this together.

Sincerely,

Larry J. Martin
Executive Director
State Bar of Wisconsin