Vol. 77, No. 6, June
2004
Something Old, Something New
50-year members and brand new lawyers have worked hard to get where
they are. The State Bar congratulates your achievements!
by George C. Brown,
State Bar executive director
At the conclusion of every State Bar annual meeting, we
host a Members Luncheon to honor our 50-year members. On May 7, the
State Bar was privileged to recognize those Wisconsin attorneys who
graduated in the class of 1954 and who have served the public and the
profession these last 50 years.
When the honorees arrive, they don't quite know what to expect. Some
have brought their invitations. Some are a bit nervous with
anticipation, many are anxious to find old friends. Some have brought
their families. Every lawyer is met by a State Bar staff member, who
pins a boutonniere or a corsage on the honoree and provides him or her
with a 50-year pin, a name badge with ribbon, and a certificate honoring
their years of service. I have the opportunity to congratulate many of
them, as does the president of the State Bar. Everyone, with their
families, has the opportunity to have their picture taken with Wisconsin
Supreme Court Chief Justice Abrahamson. Smiles and handshakes abound.
They've worked hard to get here. This is an honor that has been earned
by every lawyer in the room.
At this year's event, State Bar President George Burnett
congratulated the honorees on their achievement and reminded them of the
importance of their service these many years and of the honor they have
brought to the profession. The Chief Justice recognized each lawyer
individually and confessed that she will be an honoree herself in two
years.
Ten days after the 50-Year Members Luncheon, the State Bar hosted a
reception for new Wisconsin lawyers immediately after the swearing-in
ceremony. On May 17, the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court
decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the State Bar was
privileged to recognize those Wisconsin attorneys who graduated from
Marquette University Law School in 2004. The State Bar will host a
similar reception for the graduating class of the U.W. Law School after
their swearing-in this month.
Before the reception, the new lawyers have been sworn in by the
Wisconsin Supreme Court in the Supreme Court hearing room in the State
Capitol. There, the Chief Justice addresses the new graduates about the
importance of the profession and the honor they are expected to bring to
it. This year, the Chief noted that she swore-in State Bar
President-elect Michelle Behnke when she was a new lawyer. The
president-elect then congratulated the new lawyers on their achievement
and reminded them of the importance of their service to the public and
the profession in the years to come.
When the new lawyers arrive at the State Bar reception, they don't
quite know what to expect. Some have brought their membership forms.
Some are a bit nervous with anticipation, many are anxious to find old
friends. Some have brought their families. Every new lawyer is welcomed
by a State Bar staff member, who provides the honoree with a name badge
containing his or her State Bar member number. Other staff members
provide them with information about the benefits of State Bar membership
and opportunities for service with the Bar. I have the opportunity to
greet many of them individually. Everyone, with their families, has the
opportunity to have their picture taken as they are signing the Supreme
Court Roll. Smiles and handshakes abound. They've worked hard to get
here. This is an honor that has been earned by every new lawyer in the
room.
Something old, something new. Fifty years of dedicated service,
unbounded opportunities for the future. Congratulations to all of
you.
Wisconsin
Lawyer