The Attack on America: What Can We Do?

by Gerry Mowris

SEPT. 11, 2001, LIKE Dec. 7, 1941, will be etched in our memory as a day of horror. At this time of national turmoil, we are absorbing thousands of messages about what the violent assault means to our nation. In the midst of the chaos, the emotion, and the grieving for the thousands of victims and their families, lawyers must seek an appropriate response to assist the public.

As our nation responds to the crisis, and as we assist locally in the efforts, we must bear in mind our role as protectors of the rule of law. What makes our country great is the fact that it relies upon our Constitution and our legal system - and not violence - to resolve disputes. At the same time, however, our Constitution and our history tell us that when we are attacked, we have the means and wherewithal to go to war. Although there is much talk of war, we must ensure that, whatever the American response to this tragedy, we protect the rights of those not responsible for the violence and those wrongly blamed for the terrorism that we witnessed. I pray that our country's leaders will make good decisions and follow a course that responds in a way that provides justice to the victims of this terrible attack.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is responding to this national crisis. In partnership with the Government Lawyers and Young Lawyers divisions and local bar associations, the State Bar is organizing free CLE seminars to aid lawyers in providing pro bono services to military personnel called to active duty. We also are providing assistance to lawyers who are called to duty so that their clients still can be served.

Military personnel and their families will need legal support with wills, powers of attorney for health care, estate plans, custody arrangements, business operation plans, and the like. Legal counsel and advice is needed so that soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines can perform their military duties without being distracted by legal and financial difficulties created by their absence.

The Wisconsin National Guard and the Reserve Judge Advocate are largely responsible for providing legal assistance to mobilize reservists. However, the military judge advocates will be inundated with requests for assistance and may not be properly equipped to offer counsel on the wide array of legal issues they will face.

The State Bar will offer to local bars and other legal groups copies of the seminar videotape. I ask local bar leaders to join forces with neighboring counties to provide programming for lawyers in their communities. Together we can provide valuable assistance to our military as they are called to serve the country. I extend my personal thanks to the Government Lawyers Division, which has shown incredible leadership on spearheading these statewide seminars, and to the many attorneys who have already volunteered assistance.

I urge every lawyer to find a way to help.

Wisconsin Lawyer