Increase and diversify participation in Bar activities
President-elect Gary Bakke is a strong proponent of promoting the
problem-solving skills that lawyers possess. One of the most notable
initiatives in this area during FY00 is the Public Trust and Confidence
Project that brings lawyers, judges, and laypeople together to work out
problems in the justice system.
The State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley
Abrahamson, the Wisconsin Director of State Courts, and the Wisconsin
League of Women Voters implemented a state project to improve public
trust and confidence in the Wisconsin justice system. Committee members
- three attorneys, three judges, one clerk of court, and three members
of the League of Women Voters - support the concept of justice system
"insiders" working in conjunction with the public as problem-solvers to
improve the system for everyone.
The committee held statewide focus groups to gather public input on
the justice system. Former jurors, offenders and their families, and
civil litigants participated. The committee will synthesize its research
and develop an action plan to more effectively direct community,
government, and justice system resources toward improving the justice
system and promoting public trust and confidence in it. The action plan
will be presented to the bench, the bar, and community groups throughout
FY01.
Wisconsin Lawyer
