Jan. 8, 2024 – Part of the mission of the State Bar of Wisconsin is to advocate for the legal profession and for access to justice for all. That includes educating and informing not only the public at large, but also Wisconsin’s lawmakers about the important role of the judiciary and the rule of law.

The State Bar’s lobbyists Cale Battles and Lynne Davis take the lead on communicating the policy positions of the Board of Governors and its lobbying sections. State Bar leaders occasionally give testimony at public hearings. But grassroots engagement from State Bar members like you is also making a growing and meaningful impact on advocacy efforts.

In many ways, 2023 was a watershed year for grassroots advocacy. From topics ranging from expungement reform to investments in civil legal aid and the criminal justice system, State Bar members from nearly every corner of Wisconsin took the initiative to reach out to their legislators and share their thoughts and insights.

In total, nearly 2,000 messages, phone calls, and social media contacts were made from State Bar members using the Advocacy Network in 2023. Those messages reached 124 individual legislators (out of 132) and the governor. That volume of outreach was bound to get noticed, and indeed did, especially within the 2023-2025 biennial state budget.

The legislature listened to the many members who reached out about the need for greater investment in the criminal justice system, increasing starting pay and pay progression for prosecutors and public defenders, as well as increasing the private bar rate for public defense. Those investments will be key in helping to shore up a criminal justice system that was reaching a crisis point with challenges attracting new attorneys and keeping experienced ones on board. While larger investments in civil legal aid didn’t make it into the final budget bill, it provided attorney members an opportunity to educate lawmakers on the program laying the groundwork for possible increases in the future.

Another important measure is the growth of members using the Advocacy Network for the first time. 2023 saw 360 new users, joining hundreds more who taken action in previous years or do so regularly. For members who are looking for next steps on how to get more involved, the State Bar’s Advocacy Network Grassroots Toolkit is a great resource on all things grassroots.

By sending emails, making phone calls, and reaching out to colleagues and encouraging them to do the same, the voice of the legal profession is being heard by lawmakers across Wisconsin. For all those who have reached out to share their thoughts with their legislators, we thank you. And for those who haven’t yet, there’s never a better time than now to get started. The Advocacy Network makes it quick and easy.

What You Can Do: State Bar of Wisconsin Advocacy Network

State Bar members are encouraged to send a message to their lawmakers expressing support on legislative topics which positively affect the legal system using the Advocacy Network. Pre-written email messages are editable to suit your own thoughts and opinions, and help to demonstrate the breadth of support for policies that prioritize access to justice. You can also "Choose Your Own" to craft messages to any of your elected officials, from President of the United States down to your local municipal officials.

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