Vol. 76, No. 5, May
2003
Only the Good Die Young
In March, Wisconsin lost two of its finest Bar
leaders: past presidents Leonard Loeb and David Saichek.
by Pat Ballman
The State Bar and the legal profession in Wisconsin lost
two of their finest leaders in March. Leonard Loeb, president of the
State Bar from 1999 to 2000, died March 9, 2003, at the age of 73, and
David Saichek, president from 1996 to 1997, died March 23, 2003, at the
age of 63. Both were former presidents of the Milwaukee Bar Association,
and both were very active in the ABA, in addition to being presidents,
founders, and active in numerous other attorney organizations.
Leonard and Dave were dedicated to helping Wisconsin lawyers in the
practice of law. For example, Dave founded the Young Lawyers Division of
the State Bar of Wisconsin to address the specific needs of young
Wisconsin lawyers. And while Leonard was president, he founded the
Senior Lawyers Division of the State Bar, again to address the specific
needs of a category of Wisconsin lawyers. Dave and Leonard covered the
spectrum. And, each in his own way led others to be better lawyers.
To Dave, the practice of law was not a game of winning; rather, it
was about justice. He understood that lawyers, especially trial lawyers,
often take on unpopular causes, because when justice is served,
everybody wins. And Dave cared deeply about serving justice. His
presidential agenda included a public outreach program explaining the
roles in society of civil lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and defense
attorneys. One of the methods he instituted to educate the public was a
cable and broadcast outreach program. Dave believed that even if people
did not learn about the three branches of government in middle school,
it was never too late to teach them. It was extremely important to Dave
to help educate the public about how lawyers protect the public interest
and maintain a peaceful society.
Leonard also is noted to have had extraordinary leadership ability.
He led the family law bar in Wisconsin to increased levels of
professionalism with his creation of the System Book for Family
Law (now in its fifth edition), by cofounding the Wisconsin chapter
of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and by teaching and
mentoring less experienced practition-ers. Leonard's style was different
from Dave's - while Dave was a trial attorney, Leonard prized settlement
over a trial victory. To Leonard, a divorce case was not a success
unless both parties felt they had won, and the parties preserved the
ability to some day dance at their children's weddings. Minimizing
conflict was an essential means to Leonard's aims.
Two different styles, but both very effective. There is a lesson
there for each of us. We do not need to imitate Dave or Leonard in order
to be effective bar leaders. In fact, imitating a style that is not
one's own usually does not work. To be effective, each of us needs to
use our own talents and qualities, consistent with our own unique style,
because otherwise we appear phony.
Strong voices can be effective, but soft voices can also prevail.
Sometimes confrontation works, but other people get better results
working behind the scenes. And while argument works for some, consensus
building works for others.
None of us will be another Leonard Loeb, or another Dave Saichek. But
we can be ourselves - our best selves. And when we are our best, we can
also be leaders, not filling their shoes, but at least following in the
footsteps of Leonard and Dave.
Wisconsin
Lawyer
