Vol. 77, No. 6, June 2004

Something Old, Something New

by George C. Brown,
State Bar executive director

At the conclusion of every State Bar annual meeting, we host a Members Luncheon to honor our 50-year members. On May 7, the State Bar was privileged to recognize those Wisconsin attorneys who graduated in the class of 1954 and who have served the public and the profession these last 50 years.

When the honorees arrive, they don't quite know what to expect. Some have brought their invitations. Some are a bit nervous with anticipation, many are anxious to find old friends. Some have brought their families. Every lawyer is met by a State Bar staff member, who pins a boutonniere or a corsage on the honoree and provides him or her with a 50-year pin, a name badge with ribbon, and a certificate honoring their years of service. I have the opportunity to congratulate many of them, as does the president of the State Bar. Everyone, with their families, has the opportunity to have their picture taken with Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Abrahamson. Smiles and handshakes abound. They've worked hard to get here. This is an honor that has been earned by every lawyer in the room.

At this year's event, State Bar President George Burnett congratulated the honorees on their achievement and reminded them of the importance of their service these many years and of the honor they have brought to the profession. The Chief Justice recognized each lawyer individually and confessed that she will be an honoree herself in two years.

Ten days after the 50-Year Members Luncheon, the State Bar hosted a reception for new Wisconsin lawyers immediately after the swearing-in ceremony. On May 17, the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the State Bar was privileged to recognize those Wisconsin attorneys who graduated from Marquette University Law School in 2004. The State Bar will host a similar reception for the graduating class of the U.W. Law School after their swearing-in this month.

Before the reception, the new lawyers have been sworn in by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the Supreme Court hearing room in the State Capitol. There, the Chief Justice addresses the new graduates about the importance of the profession and the honor they are expected to bring to it. This year, the Chief noted that she swore-in State Bar President-elect Michelle Behnke when she was a new lawyer. The president-elect then congratulated the new lawyers on their achievement and reminded them of the importance of their service to the public and the profession in the years to come.

When the new lawyers arrive at the State Bar reception, they don't quite know what to expect. Some have brought their membership forms. Some are a bit nervous with anticipation, many are anxious to find old friends. Some have brought their families. Every new lawyer is welcomed by a State Bar staff member, who provides the honoree with a name badge containing his or her State Bar member number. Other staff members provide them with information about the benefits of State Bar membership and opportunities for service with the Bar. I have the opportunity to greet many of them individually. Everyone, with their families, has the opportunity to have their picture taken as they are signing the Supreme Court Roll. Smiles and handshakes abound. They've worked hard to get here. This is an honor that has been earned by every new lawyer in the room.

Something old, something new. Fifty years of dedicated service, unbounded opportunities for the future. Congratulations to all of you.

Wisconsin Lawyer