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The Attack on
America: What Can We Do?
by Gerry Mowris
 SEPT.
11, 2001, LIKE Dec. 7, 1941, will be etched in our memory as a day of
horror. At this time of national turmoil, we are absorbing thousands of
messages about what the violent assault means to our nation. In the midst
of the chaos, the emotion, and the grieving for the thousands of victims
and their families, lawyers must seek an appropriate response to assist
the public.
As our nation responds to the crisis, and as we assist locally in the
efforts, we must bear in mind our role as protectors of the rule of law.
What makes our country great is the fact that it relies upon our Constitution
and our legal system - and not violence - to resolve disputes. At the
same time, however, our Constitution and our history tell us that when
we are attacked, we have the means and wherewithal to go to war. Although
there is much talk of war, we must ensure that, whatever the American
response to this tragedy, we protect the rights of those not responsible
for the violence and those wrongly blamed for the terrorism that we witnessed.
I pray that our country's leaders will make good decisions and follow
a course that responds in a way that provides justice to the victims of
this terrible attack.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is responding to this national crisis. In
partnership with the Government Lawyers and Young Lawyers divisions and
local bar associations, the State Bar is organizing free CLE seminars
to aid lawyers in providing pro bono services to military personnel called
to active duty. We also are providing assistance to lawyers who are called
to duty so that their clients still can be served.
Military personnel and their families will need legal support with wills,
powers of attorney for health care, estate plans, custody arrangements,
business operation plans, and the like. Legal counsel and advice is needed
so that soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines can perform their military
duties without being distracted by legal and financial difficulties created
by their absence.
The Wisconsin National Guard and the Reserve Judge Advocate are largely
responsible for providing legal assistance to mobilize reservists. However,
the military judge advocates will be inundated with requests for assistance
and may not be properly equipped to offer counsel on the wide array of
legal issues they will face.
The State Bar will offer to local bars and other legal groups copies
of the seminar videotape. I ask local bar leaders to join forces with
neighboring counties to provide programming for lawyers in their communities.
Together we can provide valuable assistance to our military as they are
called to serve the country. I extend my personal thanks to the Government
Lawyers Division, which has shown incredible leadership on spearheading
these statewide seminars, and to the many attorneys who have already volunteered
assistance.
I urge every lawyer to find a way to help.
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