President's Perspective

A New Millennium ... Building ... Beginning

By Leonard L. Loeb

This year has all the elements of being extraordinary.

It is the eve of a new millennium.

Just the sound of it is exciting. We have the potential to roll into the year 2000 with renewed strength and pride in our profession.

We have a new building. Our new Bar Center is intended for use by all Wisconsin lawyers. We now have ample room and parking for member gatherings. It is state-of-the-art, and it is up to each of you to make the most of it. Join us on Sept. 17 for the grand opening.

We have an opportunity for a new beginning.

Embracing a "new beginning" does not mean that we have had a weak past. To the contrary, the State Bar is a strong organization.

A new beginning is an opportunity to look closely at what challenges lie ahead. For example, our profession is in transition and will be profoundly shaped by discussions concerning multidisciplinary practice. We must be forward thinking in our actions so that we will grow and prosper with the changing landscape.

As part of the new beginning we intend to spend time at each Board of Governors meeting looking at the forest of legal practice issues rather than concentrate on the trees. In years past many Board meetings have been consumed by administrative minutiae. We hope to streamline our Board processes so that the 48 governors and officers can do more for the members who elected us. We are charged with guiding the legal profession to a new and higher level.

Why should you care about this refocus? We want and need your expertise. You have a personal investment in the practice of law and should be an essential part in the decisions that will affect all of us. To improve communication between members and the Bar, our fall Board meeting will include a leadership training institute. All Board members will be encouraged to share information with and seek information from their constituents.

Here is one example of the personal investment each lawyer has in the practice of law. We have seen firsthand with the tobacco litigation what happens when lawyer fees constantly make headlines: proposed legislation imposing a radical tax on lawyer fees. This legislation, included in the state's budget bill, sets a dangerous precedent and has the potential to adversely affect all lawyers and the public. We must unite in our opposition to any professional tax on services. Following a heated discussion on the pending legislation, the Board in June unanimously passed a general resolution opposing such taxes. The Board believes a tax on professional services will further increase fees and decrease the ability of individuals to access justice.

We must anticipate issues that shape our profession and promptly address them. Please join your Bar leadership and Bar staff by sharing your knowledge and opinions. You can contact me by email or by fax at (414) 272-7918. I look forward to our year together.

Wisconsin Lawyer