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.

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