Guest Column
State Bar's Programs
Outgrow Current Facility
By Gerald M. O'Brien
The State Bar's current facility, built in the 1950s and expanded in
the early 1980s, no longer meets the association's needs. For more than
five years,
With programs to serve
19,000 members and with 400 new members added each year, the State Bar
of Wisconsin has outgrown the Bar Center. Let's decide what type of
facility a successful member-service organization should have in the
coming years. |
the State Bar Facilities Committee has been working to determine the
facility needs for our association, an issue that was first raised
almost 10 years ago.
During the next couple months, you will read and hear much about this
issue, and you should be well-informed when the committee brings a
recommendation to the Board of Governors in January. You will have an
opportunity to voice your opinion and get answers to your questions.
First, though, let me bring you up to date on the activities during the
past few years.
Facilities study history
In June 1993, after member concerns were raised about the lack of
space for CLE seminars and other member services, the Long-Range
Planning Committee, chaired by G. Lane Ware, reported to the Board of
Governors that "the Board should decide either to reduce the current
level of Bar activities or make plans to acquire a larger facility that
can be used as the base for Bar operations." The Board of Governors
chose not to reduce the level of Bar member service and public outreach
programs and thus subsequent facilities committees have attempted to
provide more physical space for State Bar operations.
In April 1994 the Facilities Committee authorized the Zimmerman
Design Group of Milwaukee to provide initial space-planning analysis and
cost estimates. The committee also examined adding an additional story
to half of the Bar Center and purchasing or leasing existing space near
the Bar Center. The committee concluded these solutions were not
long-term options.
In August 1994 then chair Jim Pouros said he "had reached the same
conclusion that the Long-Range Planning Committee had reached in 1993:
the State Bar needs a new facility in order to continue to deliver
services to the members."
During the first half of 1996, the Facilities Committee explored the
purchase of the WIPRO building, a facility several miles west of the
current Bar Center. The committee also looked at major remodeling of the
Bar Center. Both eventually were rejected as inadequate solutions.
In July 1996 the Board of Governors authorized a modest remodeling of
the Bar Center basement as a short-term solution to some of the space
problems at the Bar Center. Meanwhile, the Facilities Committee decided
to continue studying whether acquiring a different facility should be a
goal of the State Bar. The committee continued looking at the
availability of existing Madison office buildings and the possibility of
expanding the Bar Center at its present site.
In January of this year, Mary Lynne Donohue, then chair of the
Facilities Committee, reported to the Board of Governors that: 1) the
current remodeling will enable the State Bar to remain in the current
Bar facility for the next two or three years, giving the Bar time to
study thoroughly any long-term decisions; 2) the issue requires Bar
officials to take a measured view of its goals for the next 10 to 15
years; and 3) the Facilities Committee should be part of the long-range
planning process.
How should the Bar Center serve its members?
Past president John Decker recently outlined his views on the
purposes of the State Bar's headquarters. He often has represented
architects and construction contractors over the past 20 years, and
believes that the Bar should prioritize its needs and identify the
functions of a Bar Center. His list includes the following:
- adequate space for CLE seminars equipped with the necessary
audiovisual equipment;
- space for alternative dispute resolution proceedings (including fee
arbitrations);
- space for material storage; shipping and receiving;
- space for printing (not including books or Wisconsin
Lawyer);
- adequate space for administration, including clerical and support
staff, equipment and facilities, financial and legal record-keeping and
functions; space for program management such as publications, seminars,
governmental and public relations and other current programs;
- space for meetings of State Bar committees, sections, divisions and
commissions, including telephone conferencing equipment.
It is important to realize that the present Bar Center meets none of
the functions above very effectively. Space studies indicate the Bar
Center should have 40,000 square feet to serve our membership. At
present, only 20,000 square feet is available. Several staff members
work primarily at home and others share working space originally
allocated for one. The State Bar rents another 4,000 square feet at a
separate site for printing and mailing operations, and spends nearly
$100,000 a year for off-site meeting, printing and storage space.
No large meeting space is available for CLE seminars or large group
meetings. CLE seminars are only occasionally held at the Bar Center. And
those seminars that are held at the Bar Center often present parking
challenges for members who attend. There are only 25 parking spaces in
the State Bar's lot, and there is very limited parking on the street,
greatly inconveniencing members who try to attend meetings or seminars
at the Bar Center. The downtown location also creates access problems
for most members who must exit the interstate and work their way through
construction and the maze of one-way streets in downtown Madison.
The only large meeting room was converted last year to meet State Bar
program requirements. Most of the Bar's nearly 50 committees, 23
sections and three divisions are unable to meet at the Bar Center.
Governor Mark Pennow, chair of the Electronic Bar Services Committee,
has pointed out several technology issues that must be taken into
account when considering building design and location. These include
satellite technology and high-speed data lines needed in the future for
online CLE and CLE videoconferencing. It would be inefficient to tack
some of these technologies onto an older building.
The State Bar adds 400 new attorneys to its membership rolls each
year, with membership currently at more than 19,000. Studies reviewed by
the committee in recent years indicate that additional services will be
required to support the growth, even if a moratorium were to be put on
all new programs.
Where are we today?
Conditions have worsened since 1993. There is more crowding in the
building, less space for meetings and CLE seminars, and fewer
opportunities for technology upgrades. Past facilities committees also
have examined other alternatives, including leasing or buying an
existing facility, adding to the current facility and encouraging
work-at-home arrangements by employees. It is obvious that none of these
alternatives is an effective long-term solution. Consequently, the
current Facilities Committee has concluded that a larger, more
accessible building is needed.
In September I reported to the Board of Governors our findings so
far, including previous studies, problems posed by the current facility
and possible solutions. I told the board we have concluded that a
larger, more accessible building is needed. The board allocated $10,000
to pay for consulting to assist the committee with a more precise
recommendation for consideration at an upcoming board meeting.
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Gerald M. O'Brien chairs the Facilities Committee. He is a former
State Bar president.
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Under my direction, the committee has formed four subcommittees: The
real estate subcommittee will consider the possible sale of the current
building and explore a possible site for a new one. The architectural
subcommittee will work with a space planner in determining the Bar's
needs in a current or new facility. The finance subcommittee will do a
cost analysis on all possible options. And finally, the education
subcommittee will coordinate all communications efforts to ensure our
members are well-informed.
I believe previous facilities committees have done an excellent job
in researching issues and exploring all possible solutions. It is now up
to all of us to move forward and determine what type of facility we
should have to make the State Bar a highly successful member-service
organization in the coming years.
It is a major goal of the Facilities Committee to keep members
well-informed and to receive their input. We plan to survey members on
the services and features they want in a bar center and will report on
our findings. Committee members are available to meet with local bar
associations and State Bar sections and committees. We also are putting
information on the Bar's website.
The accompanying sidebar lists the
Facilities Committee members. Feel free to contact me or any committee
member if you have questions or comments.
Wisconsin Lawyer