Dec. 18, 2024 – The benefits are many, say those who have served as leaders in their State Bar of Wisconsin divisions. Now is the time to apply to run for a leadership position.
Three State Bar divisions are accepting nominations for candidates for their 2024 elections: the Government Lawyers Division, Nonresident Lawyers Division, and Young Lawyers Division.
About Division Leadership Elections
- Most positions are for two-year terms. The president-elect serves a one-year term before serving a one-year term as president, followed by serving another year as past president.
- Persons elected take office July 1, 2025.
- Nominations for all positions are due Jan. 31, 2025. Voting takes place in April.
Members of the
Senior Lawyers Division with questions about division elections should contact
Karen Beall at the State Bar.
Jump to information about elections for:
Government Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The
Government Lawyers Division (GLD) addresses the concerns of government-employed attorneys. The division includes state attorneys, state public defenders, state prosecutors, corporation counsel, family court commissioners, city attorneys, U.S. attorneys, and others.
“Attorneys in public service and government practice are essential to our legal systems and institutions. It is therefore just as essential for government lawyers to be represented and reflected in not only the State Bar membership but also in its leadership,” said GLD President Joanne Bungert.
“Not only does State Bar participation allow for attorneys in public service to connect with colleagues, but it also provides the opportunity to share experiences and expertise that can ultimately improve government legal practice in Wisconsin.”
Open positions for GLD leadership for 2025-2026 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
secretary (2-year term);
treasurer (2-year term); and
three board of director positions (2-year term).
The GLD board typically meets five times per year, twice in a virtual format and three times in person. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. Board members are expected to serve on at least two GLD committees which meet virtually throughout the year. The past president also serves on the State Bar Board of Governors and Executive Committee. More information on GLD elections can also be found in the
division bylaws.
To apply: GLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Karen Beall by Jan. 31, 2025.
Nonresident Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The
Nonresident Lawyers Division (NRLD) promotes greater communication and business opportunities among nonresident lawyers, and organizes and oversees the growing network of local State Bar chapters nationwide.
NRLD President Jennifer Thomas encourages division members to run for a director position in the division.
“The NRLD board has been more than rewarding for me and an excellent outlet for me to be engaged with the State Bar of Wisconsin,” she said. “Serving with the board is one of my favorite volunteer activities. The NRLD remains a large division with a lot to offer both its members and the State Bar. The board provides an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the State Bar’s connection with out-of-state and international lawyers plus network with other members both in person and virtually.”
Open positions for NRLD leadership for 2025-26 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
treasurer (2-year term);
five board of director positions (2-year term).
The NRLD board typically meets two times per year in person and four times virtually. Travel to in-person meetings is reimbursed. Board members are expected to serve on at least two NRLD committees, which meet virtually throughout the year. The division president-elect, president, and past president serve on the State Bar Board of Governors.
More information on NRLD elections can also be found in the
division bylaws.
To apply: NRLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Karen Beall by Jan. 31, 2025. A nominating committee will recommend a slate of candidates for the election. Voting takes place in April.
Young Lawyers Division: Nominations Due Jan. 31
The
Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is committed to providing leadership training, continuing legal education, and networking opportunities to its members, who are lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36.
The YLD “has been an extremely rewarding and beneficial experience. The YLD Board gives its members an opportunity to develop a network of colleagues all over the state and across all practice areas,” said YLD President Anthony Procaccio. "It provides a chance to develop and demonstrate leadership skills, and gives young lawyers a chance to hear the concerns of their peers and bring those issues to the attention of the State Bar."
“These are opportunities that are hard to come by as somebody that’s in their first years of practice. The YLD does a really good job of giving people that avenue to shine and show another set of skills that they can bring to the table, or develop them and take with them in the future. The opportunities from serving on the YLD Board have been invaluable, both personally and professionally.” Procaccio talks more about his experience in a recent issue of the State Bar’s
Bottom Up podcast.
Open positions for YLD leadership for 2025-26 are:
president-elect (3-year term: one as president-elect, one as president, and one as past president);
treasurer (2-year term);
five board of director positions (2-year terms).
The YLD includes lawyers within their first five years of practice or under the age of 36. The YLD board typically meets four times per year in person and one time virtually. Travel to in-person meetings and networking events across the state is expected and will be reimbursed.
Board members are also expected to serve on at least two YLD committees, which meet virtually throughout the year. The past president also serves as the YLD representative on the State Bar Board of Governors and Executive Committee.
More information on YLD elections can also be found in the
division bylaws.
To apply: YLD members should complete
the Division Election Candidate Form and submit a headshot photo to
Karen Beall by Jan. 31, 2025.
Find out about other
State Bar leadership opportunities.
Find out how to run for a 2025-26 State Bar Board of Governors position.
Vote in April: Look for Your Email Ballot
All State Bar elections (including for State Bar divisions and sections) will be held via an electronic ballot in 2025, starting April 10, 2025.
The election closes at noon Central Time on April 25, 2025.
Please note: If you have placed any holds on emails from the State Bar, you may not receive an electronic ballot. Contact Customer Service at (800) 444-9404 to verify that your account is set up to receive your email ballot.
State Bar members with no email address on file will receive paper ballots. Paper ballots will be mailed on April 9, 2025.
