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ABA studies billable hours
and law school debt
ABA President Robert Hirshon recently announced two major issues that
will be addressed during his tenure at the ABA helm. The ABA Board of
Governors has approved creating separate commissions to study and make
recommendations to the ABA on the effect of increased billable hours on
the law community and the effect of law school debt on young lawyers'
career choices.
The Commission on Billable Hours will investigate the growing
concern among lawyers and judges that the demands of increased billable
hours are compromising the health and well being of lawyers and, thereby,
the communities in which they live. The commission will gather information
through secondary research, hearings, and focus groups. For more information,
contact Michael McGrath at (312) 988-5137 or mcgrathm@staff.abanet.org.
The Commission on Loan Repayment and Forgiveness will study the
effects of the increased debt burden facing law school graduates. Evidence
suggests that law students are making career decisions based on the amount
of their law school debt and that students are turning away from government,
public service, and legal services positions because those positions do
not offer salaries large enough for graduates to pay down their debt.
For more information, contact Dina Merrell at (312) 988-5773 or merrelld@staff.abanet.org.
Judiciary
Committee seeks lawyer input on pending legislation
State Rep. Mark Gundrum, chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, is
interested in gaining input from State Bar members. If you would like
to receive email notices of legislation pending before the Judiciary Committee
so you might have an opportunity to provide input, contact Gundrum at
rep.gundrum@legis.state.wi.us.
ABA site
offers hints on charitable giving, identifying legitimate charities
Americans are responding to the terrorism attacks in New York and Washington,
D.C., with an enormous outpouring of charitable giving. Many new charitable
organizations have been formed to address the needs of victims and their
families. To assist consumers in making donations, the ABA Tax Section
has developed information on its Web site to help donors identify legitimate
charities and get the proper tax benefits for their gifts. Visitors to
the site, www.abanet.org/tax,
will find a checklist of things to consider before making a contribution
and, later, claiming a deduction. They also will find useful links and
information on many of the complex tax questions that have surfaced due
to the attacks.
Outagamie
County court records go online in December
Outagamie County will join 70 other counties in Wisconsin, when it begins
using the state court-sponsored Consolidated Court Automation Programs'
(CCAP) computer system. The Outagamie clerk of court's office plans to
begin using the CCAP system in early December. After Outagamie's conversion,
Walworth and Portage counties will be the only counties not on the Wisconsin
Circuit Court Access (WCCA) site. WCCA lists criminal, citation, small
claims, civil case filings and dispositions, and allows users to check
schedules of pending court cases and perform background checks. The WCCA
site was created to efficiently deliver information to police, attorneys,
and others needing access to court records. Since going online in April
1999, the site averages more than 300,000 hits per day. For more information,
visit http://ccap.courts.state.wi.us.
Social Security
Web site offers attorneys guidance on client representation
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently launched a new Web
site, Representing Clients, which provides comprehensive information for
representatives and links to key SSA regulatory and program resources.
"The Web site was created as a service to the thousands of attorneys and
other representatives who provide assistance to people who apply for Social
Security benefits," said Larry G. Massanari, Acting Social Security Commissioner.
"The right to representation is extremely important, and this is part
of Social Security's continuing effort to enhance the claimant representation
process."
The Social Security Act gives SSA the authority to approve fees for individuals
representing Social Security claimants. In Social Security cases, when
the representative is an attorney, SSA pays the fee directly to the attorney
from the claimant's past-due benefits. In all other cases, SSA must approve
the fee before a representative can charge a claimant for services. Fees
are most often authorized for representatives of claimants for disability
benefits.
The Web site, www.ssa.gov/representation,
provides specific information about the claimant representation process,
regulations, and operating procedures. The SSA also provides publications
for representatives and claimants that explain the disability application
and appeals processes. Publications are available online at www.ssa.gov/
www.ssa.gov/ pubs, or can be obtained by calling (800) 772-1213 or
visiting a local Social Security office.
Court of
Appeals District II calls for volunteer mediators
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II - like many courts - has
been faced with a steady increase in filings, while court funding and
staffing levels have remained relatively constant. The result is a prolonged
appeal process, which in turn results in prolonged disruption of litigants'
lives. In some cases, mediation is an appropriate alternative to litigation.
Since October 1991, the Courts of Appeals, District I, and the Milwaukee
Bar Association have operated a successful volunteer ADR program. Appropriate
cases are referred to a volunteer neutral. These referrals have resulted
in 113 appeals proceeding to nonbinding arbitration, and 42 appeals resulting
in settlement prior to an appellate decision. In its effort to replicate
this success, District II seeks volunteer neutrals. If you have practiced
five or more years and have participated in at least three appeals, you
are eligible to serve as a volunteer. In addition, those with formal training
in mediation or who have at least three years of mediation experience
are especially encouraged to participate. Although volunteer neutrals
will not be compensated for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several
benefits to participating, including:
- free CLE training cosponsored by the Court of Appeals and the State
Bar Appellate Practice and ADR sections;
- prescreened referrals;
- active contribution to the improvement of the courts and the justice
system; and
- fulfillment of your pro bono obligations under SCR 20:6.1.
For more information, contact Judge Daniel P. Anderson in writing at
Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II, 2727 N. Grandview Blvd., Suite
300, Waukesha, WI 53188-1672.
Event showcases
legal technology
The second annual "Wisconsin Law & Technology Show" will be presented
on Nov. 28 at the Country Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Pewaukee
and will offer a full day of seminars and legal technology exhibits specifically
geared toward lawyers, legal and MIS support staff, and court personnel.
The program is produced by National Practice Institute and the Milwaukee
Bar Association, and it is sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin and
several other law-related organizations. The program features sessions
ranging from "What You Need to Know About Practicing in a High-Tech Courtroom"
to "Contracting Over the Internet: Making 'Battle of the Forms' Child's
Play."
Admission is $125 for lawyers and $62.50 for nonlawyers. The program
will be submitted for up to 6 CLE credits and 3 EPR credits. For more
information, or to register, call (800) 328-4444, or visit www.npilaw.com/wlt.html.
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