President's Perspective: It's a Matter of Trust
By Leonard L. Loeb
The State Bar of Wisconsin is committed to law-related education,
reaching the public through our mock trial program, consumer
publications, public service announcements, and a host of legal
resources. Yet research tells us that although the public has a
generally positive view of the justice system, there are many
misconceptions, misunderstandings, and gaps within the public knowledge
of the system's structure, purpose, and operation. In response, bar
associations across the country are expending time and resources to
dispel myths about, and improve the public perceptions of, the justice
system. The State Bar of Wisconsin is taking an active role.![Loeb](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/ldr/pre2005/loeb.jpg)
In May a delegation of seven people from Wisconsin attended the
National Conference on Public Trust and Confidence in the Justice System
in Washington, D.C. The conference was sponsored by the American Bar
Association, Conference of Chief Justices, Conference of State Court
Administrators, and the League of Women Voters. Past President Susan
Steingass attended on behalf of the State Bar. As a result of the
conference, the State Bar, Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, Director
of State Courts J. Denis Moran, and the Wisconsin League of Women Voters
have organized a Wisconsin initiative. In October we appointed a
steering committee made up of 10 representatives from the bench, the
bar, and the League of Women Voters.
Steering committee members include the following. Chief
Justice and Director of State Court designees: Hon. Joseph M.
Troy, Outagamie Circuit Court; Hon. Carl Ashley, Milwaukee County Court;
Hon. Patience D. Roggensack, District Four Court of Appeals; and Ms.
Claudia Singleton, Jackson County Circuit Court Clerk. State Bar
designees: Atty. Derek Mosley, Milwaukee County District
Attorney's Office; Atty. Eileen Hirsch, State Public Defender's Office;
and Atty. Tom Bailey, Bailey Law Offices and Milwaukee County
Supervisor. League of Women Voters designees: Ms. Deb
Augustyn, Campbellsport; Ms. Melanie Ramey, Madison; and Atty. Cheryl
Daniels, Madison.
The steering committee's goal is to identify issues relating to
public trust and confidence in the Wisconsin justice system, and to
develop potential strategies for addressing the issues. A focus group of
lawyers and nonlawyers will convene in early 2000 to discuss the public
perception of the justice system and offer perspectives on the issues
identified by the steering committee. The steering committee will then
be charged with preparing a final report and action plan by June 2000
that may be implemented within the State Bar, the court system, and
citizen groups. The project is funded in part by the American Bar
Association.
If you have any questions about this initiative, please do not
hesitate to contact either Linda
Barth at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6140, or Trina Haag at (800) 444-9404, ext.
6025, at the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you have any suggestions, please
contact me by email or by fax
at (414) 272-7918.
Wisconsin
Lawyer