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President's Perspective
Building a Team
by Leonard L. Loeb
The State Bar has taken tremendous strides to build a solid
team of professionals to lead the association and to serve the
lawyers of Wisconsin. At its April meeting, the Board of Governors
selected Interim Executive Director George Brown to become the
Bar's new executive director. Brown has a long and impressive
record at the Bar. Since he originally joined the Bar in 1986,
he has directed the public affairs department, the marketing
department, and served as the assistant executive director. He
left the Bar briefly in 1997 to work in government relations
for the Madison law firm of Quarles & Brady. His knowledge
of the State Bar, bolstered by his strong grasp of the ever-changing
legal profession, is a winning combination. I invite you to call
on Brown.
Take advantage of his expertise and his interest in
working hand-in-hand with our membership to enhance the practice
of law.
 The Board
of Governors also approved the nomination of James M. Brennan, the chief
staff attorney of the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee's Civil Division,
to serve as chair of the Board of Governors during President-elect Gary
Bakke's year as president. Brennan has served on the Bar's
Executive Committee, as well as the Diversity Outreach Committee, Participation
of Women in the Bar - Domestic Violence Subcommittee, and as a
board liaison to many Bar sections. As a governor, he has proven to
be an effective and respected leader and is a fine choice for the position.
Just as we are building a solid team within the association, the Bar's
Life Planning 2000 is successfully
reaching out to build coalitions of attorneys, physicians, and health
care professionals in communities statewide to carry out a valuable
public service. Gov. Tommy Thompson agreed to sign a Proclamation announcing
May 1 - 5 as statewide Life Planning Week. Prof. Janine Geske has
lent her support to the campaign by way of serving as spokesperson.
The State Bar and the presidents of our partnering associations -
the State Medical Society and the Wisconsin Health and Hospital Association
- also have been promoting the efforts of their membership.
Hundreds of volunteers have been "hitting the pavement"
since the first part of May to educate the public about the need
to complete advance medical directives before personal health
crises arise. Member response has been incredible. Billboards,
newspaper advertisements, and radio public service announcements
will help highlight their local efforts. We should be proud of
our progress. It is the first time in Bar history that we have
teamed with our medical colleagues to implement a public service.
We are educating professionals and educating the public and the
message is getting out. Life Planning has provided a tremendous
opportunity for lawyers to work jointly and successfully with
other professions all in the name of service.
I hope we have your support as we continue to build a solid
team within the Bar and outside the Bar. As always, you can reach
me with comments or questions via email.
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