April 29, 2024 – Ryan Billings is the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

In the elections ending April 26, 2024, Billings defeated Jennifer Johnson of Milwaukee by 1,615 votes to 1,376.

The president-elect typically serves a one-year term as president-elect before serving a one-year term as president. Newly elected officers take their posts on July 1, 2024.​

Billings is with Kohner, Mann & Kailas, S.C., Milwaukee.

“I am honored to be elected, and I will do my absolute best to fulfill my duties and support all Wisconsin-licensed lawyers,” Billings said. “I want to thank Governor Johnson for her service to the State Bar. Governor Johnson is a brilliant lawyer and an exceptional person, and I hope she runs again.”

“I also want to thank all the people who supported me during my campaign ​– my firm, my friends and colleagues, and people I’ve met along the campaign trail. Their tireless efforts made this possible, and I cannot thank them enough!” said Billings.

Visit WisBar.org to learn more about Billings.

In Other State Bar Races

Martina Gast, an attorney with Pipestone Law, LLC, in Lake Mills, was elected to a two-year term as secretary, defeating ​William Wallo of Bakke Norman S.C., Eau Claire, by 1,758 votes to 1,119.

Visit WisBar.org to learn more about Gast.

Winning a three-year term as Judicial Council representative is Margo Kirchner with Wisconsin Justice Initiative Inc. in Milwaukee, defeating Matthew Rowe with Ruder Ware LLSC, Wausau, by 1,848 votes to 1,022.

Visit WisBar.org to learn more about Kirchner.

Board of Governors Election​ Results

By district (see the district map), those elected to serve two-year terms beginning July 1 as district representatives on the State Bar Board of Governors are:

District 2 (five vacancies)

• Vincent J. Bobot, Bobot Law Office LLC, Milwaukee, Marquette 1992
• Randal J. Brotherhood, Meissner Tierney Fischer Nichols SC, Milwaukee, Washington University 1981
• Basil J. Buchko, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin Inc., Milwaukee, University of Notre Dame Law School 1999
• Lisa M. Lawless, Husch Blackwell LLP, Milwaukee, Indiana University 1992
• Colleen A. Taylor, State Public Defenders Office, Milwaukee, Case Western Reserve University 2017

District 4 (one vacancy)

• Julie F. Stodolka, Plymouth, University of California-Los Angeles School of Law 1987

District 6 (two vacancies)

• Jesse B. Blocher, Waukesha, Habush, Habush & Rottier, SC, Marquette University Law School 2006
• Alexandra K. Evans, Waukesha, Hippenmeyer, Reilly, Blum, Schmitzer, & Fabian, SC, Marquette 2021

District 8 (one vacancy)

• Heather M. Amos, Hudson, St. Croix County Corporation Counsel, Hamline University School of Law 2007

District 9 (four vacancies)

• Elizabeth A. Fernandez, Madison, Wisconsin Education Association Council, U.W. Law School 2001
• C. Kai Hovden, Madison, DeWitt LLP, U.W. Law School 2017
• Ryan F. Poe-Gavlinski, Madison, University of Wisconsin Law School, Quinnipiac University School of Law 2004
• Sam Wayne, Madison, Wayne Law S.C., U.W. Law School 2009

District 10 (one vacancy)

• Luis A. Garza, Keshena, Garza Legal Counsel, U.W. Law School 1992

District 12 (one vacancy)

• Ryan O’Hara, Janesville, State Public Defenders Office, U.W. Law School 2013

District 14 (one vacancy)

• Rachel E. Maes, Green Bay, City of Green Bay, Hamline University School of Law 2014

District 16 (one vacancy)

• William A. Harris, Wausau, Judicare Legal Aid, Western Michigan University School of Law 2008

More about State Bar Board of Governors' Elections

The Board of Governors is the State Bar's policymaking body. Governors serve two-year terms.

Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 16 will elect governors in 2024. District 2 (Milwaukee) elect five; District 6 (Waukesha) elect two; District 9 (Dane) elect four; and all other districts elect one.

Not sure which district is yours? See the district map.