Candidate for President-elect
John E. Danner
Harrold, Scrobell & Danner S.C., Minocqua
Email: jdanner@hsdlaw.net
Platform Statement
I am both honored and humbled to have been nominated as a candidate for 2022 President-elect. I believe the successful continued future of the State Bar of Wisconsin (SBW) hinges upon retaining the vitality of the membership, and expanding the members’ participation. Throughout my career, I have tried to maintain an active presence in the SBW, serving as treasurer for three years, and as a member of the Finance Committee. I also served as chairperson, with the great assistance of the other committee members, of the Rural Practice Initiative. I practice in a three person firm in Minocqua, working in the family law, mediation and general civil litigation arenas.
I am also a member of the Iowa State Bar Association. It is a voluntary organization, and while the State Bar of Wisconsin is a mandatory bar association, I believe that it is incumbent upon the association’s governing body to create an atmosphere where members have a desire to belong, in spite of the fact that they are required to belong to the Bar. This change in attitude could result in an increase in participation in the State Bar by members. As the number of retirements reduce our membership numbers, increasing participation becomes even more important. From a purely budgetary perspective, the Bar will become more reliant upon non-dues revenue to sustain itself. The current business plan and initiatives of the Bar in this area is a strong beginning, but those must continue to evolve along with the changing makeup of the Bar.
Legislative Priorities
The Rural Practice Initiative clearly points out that the number of attorneys practicing in areas other than Madison, Milwaukee, and the Fox River Valley continues to decline. Reversal of this trend is necessary for the continued vitality of the bar statewide. Beyond economics, the State Bar needs to find ways to alter the mind set of young lawyers who do not see rural Wisconsin as a viable life choice. New lawyers are often saddled with debt that makes practicing law without other sources of income nearly impossible. Other professions, such as education and health care, have successfully obtained legislation which allows their members to have student loans forgiven should they practice their professions in certain demographic areas. Currently attorneys in government practice and certain non-profit arenas have that benefit, but this needs to be expanded to attorneys in private practice in rural areas as well.
There is a negative perception of the legal profession among the general population. I believe that we need to undertake efforts to improve the public’s perception of the profession, which could filter down to the members of the legislature, such that our lobbying strategy can be more greatly felt in the legislative process. The State Bar needs to find a way to assist the legislators in governing in a bi-partisan manner as opposed to the current line drawing in the sand strategy that seems to be the daily practice.
Member Services
State Bar presidents have undertaken initiatives in recent years to improve the standing of the Bar among its members. I believe that these initiatives are important and should be expanded. The Bar should treat its members as if it were a voluntary organization, finding ways to attract members to participate in the Bar. Members should have a desire to belong. The opportunities for service to the Bar are immense, and we need to find ways to have members offer both their time and talent. Successful efforts here would greatly strengthen the bar and its perception among members of the general public. I see the importance of participation and service to the Bar, and will encourage any endeavor by the Bar to impress upon its membership to do the same.
Fiscal Responsibility
The State Bar’s auditors suggest that fiscal responsibility by governance includes an annual review of the potential need for any dues increase and the negative effects that a failure to consider that review as a source of revenue can have on the Bar’s operations. I pledge a continuing cost benefit analysis of the value offered by the Bar’s programs against its expenses, but recognize the reality of potential for increases in dues.
Summary
If I am elected I pledge seek ways to improve the standing and perception of the State Bar among our members, and to seek out ways to reverse the population trends of attorneys practicing in rural Wisconsin. I pledge to be reachable, to hear the concerns of our members and to respond appropriately.
Biography
I graduated from Loras College in 1972 with a degree in speech. At the time, I was employed as a broadcast journalist at the KDTH stations in Dubuque. I attended West Virginia University from 1972-73, taking graduate courses in speech communication and behavior, and returned to Dubuque in 1973. In 1974, I became employed by the WOC stations in Davenport, Iowa, doing radio and television news and sports. It was in 1976 that I chose to return to school and the University of Iowa, intending to use my law degree in the field of broadcast journalism.
Life takes interesting turns, and my wife, Randi and I, moved to Minocqua, Wisconsin, in 1979, where I joined the firm of Lund, Harrold & Akey, S.C., and we have been here since. Harrold, Scrobell & Danner, S.C. was created in 1984. We have raised our daughters Stacey, Tricia, and Melissa, who are now married, and we have seven grandchildren. We are fortunate enough to live in an area where many lawyers seek to vacation and retire, and our advantage is that we don’t drive several hours to arrive at that special place “north of the tension zone.”
Professional Activities
Member:
State Bar of Wisconsin and the Iowa State Bar Association
Board of Governors, representing District 16 (2012-16)
Board of Governors Executive Committee (2014-19)
Board of Governors Strategic Planning Committee (2012-16)
Board of Governors Reapportionment Committee (2014-15)
Judicial Selection Steering Committee (2013-16)
Wisconsin Law Foundation Life Fellows (2009-present)
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Director (1998-present)
Circuit Court Commissioner - Oneida County
State Bar Membership Committee (2008-09)
Bench Bar Relations Committee (1989-95; 2001-08; 2010-11)
State Bar CLE Committee (2001-04; 2008-12)
State Bar Rural Practice Initiative Committee and Chair (2019-21)
Community Service
Northwoods Wildlife Center, Inc., Director (1979-92)
Lakeland Union High School Board of Education (1988-94)
Coach - PeeWee Football (1982-84)
Coordinator and Head Chef , Holy Family Parish Annual Community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner (1988-present)
WIAA Registered official (1984-2016)
NCAA Registered official (1993-2016)
Big Ten Conference - Wrestling Official Evaluator (2016-19)
Education
University of Iowa College of Law, J.D. (1979)
West Virginia University graduate study (1972-73)
Loras College, B.A. (1972)
