In my 35 years of service to Wisconsin’s legal community, some of my most meaningful contributions happened while volunteering and donating to the Wisconsin Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

I have been immensely satisfied to see the Foundation’s corpus grow, such that now it has a general fund awarding annual grants for law-related and public service projects throughout the state, as well as grants to three newer attorneys who deliver legal services to underserved communities. In addition, the Foundation’s Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Fund ensures that money is available for programs that teach important lessons to high school students about the law’s work in trial cases.

The Diversity Fund and the G. Lane Ware Leadership Fund help address the vital goals of increasing and maintaining a diverse and dynamic membership of attorneys and State Bar leaders to serve state residents’ distinctive needs.

I have been so proud to see the Foundation respond to the changes within our membership and our communities by making its own changes, too, such that it has become a bedrock source for funding programs that work to promote greater understanding of the law and the administration of justice in Wisconsin.

But the demand for these programs’ assistance has only grown with the pandemic. As the holiday season is in full swing, I think about how our individual generosity can lead to collective change in our legal communities. Consider a recent and generous gift from Milwaukee attorney Kevin Lyons and his wife, Roseann. They pledged to match all donations, up to $25,000, from individuals who have not contributed to the Wisconsin Law Foundation since July 1, 2018.

Between now and June 30, 2022, you have the opportunity, by simply becoming a member for $25 or contributing whatever you are able, to help Kevin and Roseann’s efforts to double the impact of individual gifts and promote the work of the Foundation to as many Wisconsin attorney colleagues as they can reach.

Kevin and Roseann Lyons want to see every dollar they pledged be given to the Foundation for the greater good of the Wisconsin legal system. Will you be the next attorney to step up? In this celebratory season of giving and beyond, I will gratefully celebrate you too. Here’s a toast to you accepting the challenge, the generosity of Kevin and Roseann Lyons, and the continued health of the Wisconsin Law Foundation in the next year. Together we can make a difference.

The Diversity Fund and the G. Lane Ware Leadership Fund help address the vital goals of increasing and maintaining a diverse and dynamic membership of attorneys and State Bar leaders to serve state residents’ distinctive needs.

» Cite this article: 94 Wis. Law. 4 (December 2021).