President's Perspective
A Milestone for Civil Legal Services
By Leonard L. Loeb
For the first time in Wisconsin history, we have
state-allocated funds to provide civil legal services by attorneys to
low-income residents. The Biennial Budget Bill that Gov. Thompson signed
into law on Oct. 27 includes $100,000 per year of the biennium for civil
legal services. Strong public support, bolstered by the efforts of key
organizations that came together for a common cause, led to this
success.
The State Bar Board of Governors in November
1998 voted unanimously to adopt a legislative position endorsing state
general purpose revenue to provide civil legal assistance by lawyers to
low-income residents. The board's action allowed the State Bar
Government Relations Team to work with the Equal Justice Coalition under
the able leadership of John S. Skilton to advocate at the state
Legislature for federal funds allocated at the state level. The
Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation and the State Bar's pro bono program
worked closely in the effort.
In addition to support in the legal community, there is broad public
support for funding. According to a 1998 poll conducted on behalf of the
Equal Justice Coalition, 79 percent of the public believe that the state
should provide funding to low-income people who need assistance in civil
cases such as domestic violence, special education, or child custody.
The overwhelming public support came from people of different ages,
occupations, education levels, income, and race.
The additional funding will be allocated to civil legal services
programs around the state, including Legal Action of Wisconsin, Legal
Services of Northeastern Wisconsin, Western Wisconsin Legal Services,
Wisconsin Judicare, and others. The need is great. There are an
estimated 162,734 low-income citizens in Wisconsin who are facing
critical legal needs for which no assistance is available. As a result
of the funding, an estimated 4,000 clients can be served annually.
A special thanks to Sen. Brian Burke and Sen. Gwendolynne Moore for
sponsoring the budget amendment and to Rep. John Gard for his help in
crafting the package. The proposal received bi-partisan support in the
Joint Finance Committee and made its way successfully through both
houses before it was signed into law by the governor.
Working together, we can accomplish great things.
Wisconsin Lawyer
