An open letter to State Bar members

Aug. 9, 1999

In the last issue of the newsletter, the State Bar reported that Executive Director Steve Smay has been on administrative leave since mid-June. Bar leadership has not been able to discuss what is essentially a personnel matter or to respond fully to stories that have appeared in the press.

We want to take this opportunity to assure State Bar members that your organization is sound, and remains well-run, financially strong, and focused on its mission to its members and the public. Currently, the Bar's Executive Committee is working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and in the best interests of the Bar and its members.

During this time, Interim Executive Director George Brown and the staff have moved into our new Bar Center while continuing to work on a multitude of programs and services for the benefit of Bar members and the public. While it has been said numerous times before, it bears repeating: the State Bar of Wisconsin is one of the best bars in the country and has one of the best staffs in the country. The staff has been instrumental making the move to the new Bar Center and the continuation of all this as smooth as possible for members.

It is a time of great change for our profession. And there is no doubt that this is a time of great change for the State Bar.

James D. Friedman
Chair
State Bar Board of Governors