July 15, 2020 – Wisconsin’s solo and small-firm attorneys have faced even more challenges this year because of COVID-19. Like every year, many have stepped up to help their fellow solo and small-firm lawyers.
Now your help is needed to identify one of those volunteers to receive the 2020 John Lederer Service Award, sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin Solo/Small Firm & General Practice Section. The award will be presented in October at the Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 11. Nominations may be sent via letter or by using the section-provided form.
The section’s Lederer Award recognizes lawyers focused on improving the lives and practices of solo and small firm attorneys in Wisconsin.
It is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization exemplifying the leadership, spirit, and dedication of Oregon, Wisconsin, attorney John Lederer, who saw it as his mission to help solo and small firm lawyers master the skills and technology needed to build their practices. Lederer, who passed away in March 2009, helped spearhead many of the things Wisconsin lawyers take for granted in their work today – such as the Uniform Citations System.
If you know an attorney who has taken time away from his or her own firm to “give back” to the professional community of solo and small-firm attorneys in Wisconsin, please consider nominating that person.
The only criteria for a Lederer Service Award is that the nominee shows leadership in furthering the mission of the Wisconsin Solo and Small Firm Conference – which is to educate and support solo and small-firm attorneys as they practice law, manage their businesses, and enjoy their lives.
Nominations are evaluated on the nominee’s continued, selfless service to projects, efforts or organizations of benefit to solo and small-firm practitioners across Wisconsin.
Nomination letters or the completed nomination form may be sent to section board and award selection committee member Shannon Wynn at swynn@wynnatlaw.com.
John Lederer Service Award: Nominations Due Sept. 11
Nominations may be submitted via the nomination form, and should include:
- name and contact information of the person making the nomination;
- name and contact information of the individual, group, or organization being nominated;
- a one-paragraph statement on how the nominee meets the criteria for the award; and
- three letters of recommendation may be submitted with the nomination.
Email nominations to Shannon Wynn at swynn@wynnatlaw.com.
Who was John Lederer?
Lederer was a visionary when it came to integrating technology into the practice of law. He chaired the State Bar’s Technology Resource Committee (TRC). While serving on the TRC, he took on the copyright controversy with Westlaw and facilitated Wisconsin’s universal citation program.
The universal citation, issued by courts, prevents any company from claiming a copyright on the publication of cases, making them available to attorneys at no cost.
Lederer was key in creating the Solo & Small Firm Conference and saw it as an opportunity to better the practices and lives of Wisconsin’s attorneys.
Past Recipients of the John F. Lederer Service Award
