Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson administers the oath of State Bar President to Kevin Klein. Klein will serve a one-year term beginning July 1. He will succeed Attorney Jim Brennan of Milwaukee

After taking the oath, Klein addressed those in attendance and Wisconsin lawyers around the state and across the country. “To be a leader of an organization such as the State Bar, one must have a feel for what the members want, and must have an opinion about what should be done. The key to successful leadership, as far as I’m concerned, is the balance between those two things,” he said.

Klein’s daughter, Heather, serves as master of ceremony for her dad.

Young Lawyers Division leadership with Kevin Klein. From left YLD board member Tonya Turchik, incoming board member Ryan Blay, Past President Jill Kastner, Klein, and incoming board member Danielle Kranz. Second row: Board member Chuck Stertz, President-elect Lee Turonie, Treasurer Deanne Koll, and YLD President Sherry Coley.

For more photos from the presidential swearing-in ceremony, visit the State Bar's Facebook page, or click here.

By Joe Forward, Legal Writer, State Bar of Wisconsin

June 14, 2012 – Although his height (6-foot-5) is consistent with basketball’s power-forward position, attorney Kevin Klein is the State Bar of Wisconsin’s new point-guard. Last night, the solo practitioner from Phillips took his oath to become the State Bar’s 57th president.

At the annual meeting in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson administered the oath to Klein, a former college basketball player and avid fisherman, after opening words from Klein’s youngest daughter and outgoing State Bar President Jim Brennan.

“He wakes up every morning with the sole intention of somehow contributing to make this world, and this country, a better place,” said Heather Klein of her father.

“The lawyers of the state of Wisconsin, and the public at large, are going to be very well-served … under the leadership of Kevin Klein,” Brennan added.

In his address, Klein (U.W. 1981) thanked his family, the State Bar, the members, and others before noting that members are in a unique position to shape the legal profession.

“The members must understand the forces that are out there, so that they, and the State Bar on their behalf, can actually be in a position to fashion the profession rather than reacting to the changes that are happening around them. That will be an ongoing process,” he said.

Klein, who takes office July 1, focused on the challenges of the next year and the goals he hopes to achieve during his term. In particular, Klein will focus on the challenges facing the profession, improving the quality and relevance of member services, and engaging local bar associations.

Klein, who has served as the Price County Bar Association president for 24 years, said local bars are natural conduits to collect information that can help the members in their daily practices. “We must work on an imperative and active connection among the local bars,” he said.

He also said overcoming differences, communication, and allowing for meaningful progress through statewide consensus can help the State Bar stay on the right course. Klein, who practices across 20 counties, says his geographic diversity will help him make connections.

“To be a leader of an organization such as the State Bar, one must have a feel for what the members want, and must have an opinion about what should be done. The key to successful leadership, as far as I’m concerned, is the balance between those two things,” he said.

Klein will focus on improving member services by examining what the State Bar provides, what the members want, and what is necessary to keep practitioners successful.

The State Bar must serve as a base to address rapid change, he says. The challenges facing new lawyers, economic pressures, technology, and regulation – Klein says the State Bar must have the flexibility to address changes that can help members stay ahead of the curve.

“I am creating a base which will allow the bar to address issues timely and promptly, with that base then in place long beyond my term,” he said. “But projects must be aggressively pursued to produce efficient and timely results.”

Klein, who will promote effective communication, efficient operations, and an aggressive approach to leadership initiatives, said he values teamwork and input.

He encourages members to get involved in leadership projects at the local and State Bar levels, noting the personal rewards and the collective effort that can improve the profession.

“Leadership is about being decisive in a productive and positive way, so that things are accomplished through teamwork and consensus,” said Klein who has served in a variety of leadership roles, including positions within State Bar’s Board of Governors.

“It’s a great honor to be sworn in as State Bar president. Please join me in reaching the goals that I’ve highlighted,” said Klein, joined by his wife, Kathy, and daughters Heather and Erin.