In the legal world we focus on justice and ensuring the law’s fair application for all. Lawyers, judges, paralegals, and other legal staff members work daily to uphold the law and protect the rights of individuals and organizations. But this commitment to justice can come at a price – one that involves navigating the complex and sometimes perilous landscape of personal safety and security.

Many tragic incidents serve as stark reminders of the real-world risks faced by legal professionals. In 2017, in Marathon County, Wis., attorney Sara Quirt Sann and three other people were gunned down by the spouse of a client. In July 2020, federal judge Esther Salas and her family were attacked in their home by a disgruntled attorney, resulting in the death of Judge Salas’s son and severe injuries to her husband. And in June 2022, retired Juneau County Circuit Court Judge John Roemer was killed at his home in a targeted act of violence. This is only a small sample of the violence and harm the legal community endures both in the workplace and at home.

As witness and in response to the growing dangers, the State Bar of Wisconsin sought to create a resource for lawyers, judges, paralegals, and others who work within and alongside the legal community to help them protect themselves and their families.

Reduce Your Risk: A Guide to Personal Safety and Security for the Legal Community is a guide crafted to address the unique safety and security challenges faced by legal professionals and their staff as they go about their work and daily lives. It is the culmination of research and collaboration with experts sharing information and guidance on how the legal community can navigate the many threats it faces. By reading this book, legal professionals at all levels can take control and proactively act to safeguard their personal safety and protect their clients and families, while upholding the principles of justice.

Many people helped create this book. I am profoundly grateful to the authors, who contributed time and expertise to ensure that this book is a source of wisdom and empowerment for all who read it. I am proud of my many colleagues for their tireless work in bringing these varied voices together into a cohesive and comprehensive guide.

I am confident that Reduce Your Risk will not only enhance the personal safety and security of legal professionals but also contribute to the preservation of the justice system you tirelessly serve.

May this book serve as a reminder that in the pursuit of justice, personal safety and security are not just options, they are essential prerequisites.