Meet the 2011 State Bar election candidates

Candidate for State Bar president-elect

James Andrew Carney [email]

Carney, Davies & Thorpe LLC, Janesville

Comments

We are members of a noble profession. Society looks to us to guide and assist those in need of legal help through the labyrinth of laws, rules, and regulations established by government. I am proud to be an attorney and a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Our clients hire us to think. We are hired to solve problems, and where possible, prevent legal issues from even arising. The leadership of our organization needs to give this same thoughtfulness to leading our organization. We are required to be members of the State Bar of Wisconsin. It is not within our authority to change that requirement. It is within our power to shape and focus the issues of importance to our members. I believe we should do so with the same energy and level of concentration we use for client issues.

Each member of the State Bar of Wisconsin received in 2010 a pamphlet entitled, “Exclusive Benefits for the State Bar of Wisconsin Member” containing a detailed listing of the benefits our organization provides. Enhancing and improving these benefits ought to be the primary focus of our leadership. The State Bar has in place excellent administrative apparatus and staffing. Using those tools to our utmost benefit is critical to the success of the organization and, even more importantly, to our own individual practices.

State Bar membership dues should not be raised. In 2010 they were $224 and had been at that level for a few years. I was appointed to the Finance Committee in 2009 by then-President Kammer and we did not raise dues. This was not a hard task to accomplish and it should stay that way.

The unauthorized practice of law (UPL) is a very important issue to every member of our organization. We should focus on preventing the practice of law by those who do not have a license to practice in this state. UPL hurts those who are recipients of it, often in ways not even recognized by them, and it hurts us. Economic damage is done to many attorneys, but also damage is done to our profession’s reputation and to the legal system as a whole. Continued advocacy by the State Bar to prevent UPL must be a priority.

There are many other important issues that come before the State Bar leadership. During my years on the Board of Governors, I learned that no one can control or predict all the issues that arise. I also learned that it is important to listen. Leadership needs to listen and then to use its best judgment to lead, and lead it must. That is my intention, if elected.

Practice

Carney, Davies & Thorpe LLC (partner 2003 - present). Practice areas: personal injury, civil litigation, contract law, product liability, and insurance defense.

Nowlan & Mouat LLP (1986-2003). Practice areas: personal injury, civil and business litigation, insurance defense, family law, worker’s compensation.

Education

U.W. Law School, J.D. (1985)

Kalamazoo College, B.S. (1981)

Professional memberships and activities

State Bar of Wisconsin: Board of Governors (2006 - 10); Finance Committee (2009 - 10), Strategic Planning Committee (2010); Elections Bylaw Amendment Committee (2008 - 09;, Bar Admission Standards Review Committee (2006 - 07); BAPR Study Committee (1995 - 97); Advertising and Specialization Committee (1995 - 96); Lawyer Referral & Information Committee (2007 - 10); Litigation Section member since 1994; Family Law Section (1992 - 93); We the People Judge (2008 - 09)

Rock County Bar Association: member, past president

American Bar Association

District 12 Office of Lawyer Regulation Committee, chair

Invited participant of the American Associate of Justice Trial Lawyers Delegation to the People’s Republic of China in 2007

Community activities

Past president and board member of Kandu Industries Inc. and ARC

Past board member of S.T.A.R.T.

Youth sports coach (basketball, Little League baseball, and soccer)

Library building fundraising committee

Personal achievements

Married 30 years to Laura; two adult children – Nathan and Abby

Boston Marathon 2005

Bicycle across America (Trans American Route) 2010