Meet the 2011 State Bar election candidates

Candidate for State Bar president-elect

Kevin G. Klein [email]

Sole Practitioner, Klein Law Office S.C., Phillips

Village Attorney, Butternut, Wis.

Comments

As a current member of the Board of Governors (BOG), the Executive Committee, and as cochair of the Insurance and Member Benefits Committee, I understand the continuing importance of leadership combined with experience, and the importance of active, positive, and productive participation by leaders. I have served the State Bar on committees beginning in 1993 and have been the president of the Price-Taylor County Bar since 1992. I have served on the iterations of the Member Benefits Committee since 1998. As a result, I understand the commonality and mutuality I have with each of you as a member of the State Bar. I pledge to continue to serve and use my experience and leadership abilities for your benefit.

I also bring a unique perspective to my bar service. I have been a general practice and trial attorney for almost 30 years. I have appeared in multiple counties statewide. I have represented indigent defendants, been involved in multiple intentional homicide defense cases, handled complicated bankruptcy proceedings, and worked on a myriad of family law issues. As a sole practitioner, I understand the rigors of practice, and the business aspects of the profession. I will bring true geographic diversity to the office I seek.

I intend to maximize the communications and positive working relationships among committees, sections, divisions, the State Bar itself, and local bars. I believe I am in the best position to accomplish this, given my experience and the support and endorsements I have received from Past President Kammer, President Boll, President-elect Brennan, all of the Milwaukee president-elect candidates from last year, and many others statewide.

The State Bar will always be in a position to assist members with ongoing or recurring issues such as the image of lawyers, the public’s access to justice, and our ongoing responsibilities to provide public service. The State Bar must also address other issues as they arise or exist. I accept these responsibilities, and am honored to be nominated for president-elect.

Issues

Unauthorized Practice of Law. Substantial progress has been made on this issue; but more work must be done, especially in the area of enforcement. As practitioners, you are inundated with examples of nonattorneys doing legal work. The public is harmed and the profession is harmed. We must be able to effectively identify violations, and effectively enforce the rules. The State Bar must assist on policy and with enforcement.

Bar and member communications. Years ago, I identified what I called a disconnect between members and the State Bar. I am working diligently to eliminate that disconnect. Board of Governors subcommittees have increased communications on the board. Committee members are communicating to foster positive transitions. I am promoting more local bar contact from State Bar leadership and staff. I will continue to promote communications among members as to State Bar efforts and I will promote the fact that the State Bar exists for you, the member.

Bar status. The mandatory/voluntary bar issue remains a concern for many on both sides of the issue. We cannot ignore the concerns of any group of members. I favor a voluntary bar. I also favor a strong and vibrant State Bar. The efforts and practices we implement for the State Bar can be a positive for all members, regardless of the Bar status. Strong leadership with widespread support from members with differing notions can create the ideal win-win situation.

Bar service and benefits. I have been instrumental in forging a new approach to member benefits and services. Through our committee work, we are now scheduling meetings with local and specialty bars, so committee and ad hoc members have direct contact with you, the members, to discuss and generate feedback. The process is detailed, but fluid, and will further serve to eliminate disconnect. I have been involved in this process since its inception several years ago; and I will promote the process to expanded levels, to assist you as members of the profession. I have and will continue to promote adjustments to the strategic planning process to accommodate these efforts.

Economics and funding. We are facing ever-increasing technological challenges in our practices, and as to client expectations. We are facing funding difficulties for indigent defendants and public defenders, prosecutors, and other government attorneys. We are facing reduced court funding which will negatively affect the public and the profession. We are also facing political/economic change. As vice chair of the BOG Challenges to the Profession subcommittee, I understand these and other challenges, and will work to limit the difficulties.

Practice

Sole Practitioner, Klein Law Office S.C., Phillips

Private Practice, general and trial practice, multiple county practice (1981 - present)

Village Attorney, Butternut, Wis. (1983 - present)

Education

U.W. Law School, J.D. (1981)

Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, B.S. with High Honors (1978)

Butternut High School, Butternut, Valedictorian (1974)

Professional service

State Bar of Wisconsin: Board of Governors (2009 - present); Insurance & Member Benefits Committee, cochair (2010 - present), member (2009 - 10); Member Benefits Advisory Committee, vice chair (2007 - 09), member (1998 - 2007); Nominating Committee chair (2009 -10); Executive Committee (2010 - present); Executive Committee - Subcommittee on Executive Committee Rules/By-Laws (2010 - present); Board of Governors Challenges to the Profession Subcommittee vice chair (2010 - 11); Executive Director Review Committee (2010 - present); Indian Law Section board liaison (2009 - 10)

District 11 Professional Responsibility Committee (1993 - 96)

Local Bar Leaders Conference, Madison, numerous years

Price-Taylor County Bar Association: president (1992 - present), member (1981 - present)

Price County Court Commissioner, (1997 - present)

Price County Securities and Facilities Committee (1995 - present)

Community service

I have been involved in substantial community service including but not limited to, Phillips Chamber of Commerce Board and activities; church finance committee; Flambeau Hospital Foundation; Price County Women’s Health Alliance; local food pantry; and youth and high school athletics coaching for multiple years.