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SCRIPTUS
P.O. Box 400
Pewaukee, WI 53072
http://waukeshabar.org
A
Publication of the Waukesha County Bar Association
May-June, 2007
Danni Caldwell-Editor
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| MARK
YOUR CALENDARS |
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Late
June, 2007
December
7, 2007
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Summer Membership Mailing
Holiday Party, Delafield Brewhaus
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A Word From
Your President
Dear Waukesha
Bar Member,
Since the last Scriptus, we completed a successful Awards Dinner at the
Legends. Attendance reached an all time high of around 130.
We had our Annual Meeting at the Country Springs with an afternoon of
free CLE. Small interactive sessions with Waukesha judges and
attorneys - what a great opportunity. And who says there is no
such thing as a free lunch? We offered one for our members.
As our Bar administrative year is almost over, this is my
last President's letter. Marjorie Wendt succeeds me as
President. Our other Board members will include President-Elect
Dan Habeck, Secretary/Treasurer Doug Swanson, new Board Members
Christine D'Angelo and Craig Kuhary, and continuing Board Members Danni
Caldwell, Michelle Martin, and Vickie Schroeder. The future looks
secure to me. Past-President Eric Love will be leaving the
Board. I am especially grateful for his service. Not only
did he do more than his share as a Board member, he was diligent in
helping me perform my Presidential functions with reminders and advice.
We commenced our law student scholarship program by
presenting $1,000 to Oconomowoc's UW Law Student Aaron Werner at the
Annual Meeting. You may recall that some years ago we surveyed
the membership about charitable giving by the Bar. The message we
got back was to focus more closely on law related needs. We
promptly increased our giving for the legal aid program running thru
the Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County. And now we have
refocused our scholarship program to law students. We expect to
have a Waukesha County connected student from Marquette Law School
selected before next fall's classes start. Thanks to Doug Swanson
for getting things organized with the two law schools.
The Bar and Bench in Waukesha County are
outstanding. But it won't stay that way without
cultivation. Please rejoin the Waukesha Bar Association this
summer. And make sure you bring along new lawyers that you
know. Thank you for letting me serve you this past year.
Mac Davis
President
Board Minutes and
Treasurer’s Report
- Thursday,
February 22, 2007; 12:00 pm
Attendance: Judge Davis, President,
Eric Love, Past-President, Marjorie Wendt, President-Elect, Dan Habeck,
Secty/Treas., Danni Caldwell, Michelle Martin, Doug Swanson, Carrie
Turner, Michael Morse and John Macy, Board of Governors.
Minutes: The minutes of the January
25, 2007 meeting were approved.
Treasurer and Membership Report:
Membership and Treasurer’s Report were distributed and reviewed.
As of February 22, 2007 there are 491 members and membership dues
collected total $29,525.00. The checking account balance was
$13,768.99. The money market balance as of January 19, 2007 was
$15,812.94, the 12-month CD balance was $13,102.16 and the 24-month CD
balance was $13,140.78.
OLD
BUSINESS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
State Board of Governors: No
report.
Courthouse Security: Eric Love
advised he has had some discussions with County Board members
concerning a potential proposed change in the ordinance, allowing for
attorney bypass. Danni Caldwell advised that no such proposal has
actually been initiated before the County Board.
Scriptus/Website: Danni
Caldwell reported that the current version of the Scriptus came out on
Monday, February 19, without incident. She did report that
certain email servers and spam filters are rejecting her emails and she
will work a strategy to resolve those issues.
Charitable Giving and Scholarship:
Doug Swanson reported that following discussions with the UW Law
School, it may be appropriate to not place the funds with the UW or
otherwise transfer them through the UW, but rather to have the UW
advertise the scholarship and solicit applicants, then turn the process
over to the WCBA to evaluate the candidates, make a determination, and
eventually make payment to the student and/or school. The Board
consensus was this would be an appropriate way to handle..
February Staff Luncheon. Marjorie
Wendt reported that the event came off as planned. There were
certain comments following the event concerning the potential for
introduction of staff members, especially court clerks. There was
also discussion concerning the entertainment and avenues to make it
more interesting and/or relevant. John Macy suggested Ross
Kodner's 30 tips in 30 minutes.
Bar Poll/Judicial Elections:
Judge Davis reported that Sam Benedict should have his packet out by
the end of February. Judge Davis further reported that the
Supreme Court candidate forum continues to move forward. The
projected date is Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. in the
courthouse cafeteria. A motion was made, seconded and passed to
authorize up to $200.00 for additional security should payment of such
costs be necessary to facilitate the forum.
Awards Committee: Judge Davis
reported that the nominations are trickling in, and that once a
sufficient number of candidates are available, the Awards Committee
will meet to consider its decision. Danni Caldwell will send another
email solicitation of nominations.
Annual Meeting/CLE: Judge Davis
discussed the continued potential that LexisNexis would pay for the
meal in exchange for a booth or other access to the membership.
There were no objections voiced by the Board, and Judge will continue
to pursue such an arrangement. Dan Habeck will invite Dean
Kenneth Davis of the UW Law School to speak in the same fashion as Dean
Kearney spoke last year.
Probate Bar/Bench Bar Committee:
Judge Davis added to Eric Love's report from January. The Bar will
continue to monitor the Ad Hoc Committee.
NEW
BUSINESS
Wisconsin Bar Leaders Conference:
Dan Habeck reported that he and Marjorie Wendt are currently scheduled
to attend on April 20th in Madison.
Clerk of Courts Application for Wis. Bar
Grant: Judge Davis advised that the self-help clinic
and/or Clerk of Courts had requested a letter from the Bar Association
in support of their solicitation of a $5,000.00 grant from the State
Bar for the purposes of providing legal question and answer or
counsel-type services. After substantial discussion, a motion was
made and seconded to approve the sending of such a letter.
Following discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed to table
the matter for one month. Dan Habeck will draft a proposed letter
for the Board's review.
Non-Lawyer WCBA Membership:
Danni Caldwell reported that she had been contacted by a process server
who inquired about "adjunct" or similar membership in the WCBA.
After discussion, Board consensus was that there was no interest in
extending membership to non-lawyers.
The meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent. Next meeting: Thursday, March 29, 2007
at noon, Room G55, Administration Building.
Respectfully
submitted,
Dan Habeck,
Secretary
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES - Thursday, March 29, 2007;
12:00 pm
Attendance: Judge Davis, President,
Eric Love, Past-President, Marjorie Wendt, President-Elect, Dan Habeck,
Secty/Treas., Danni Caldwell, Michelle Martin, Vicky Schroeder, Doug
Swanson, C. Michael Hausman, Board of Governors.
Minutes: The minutes of the
February 22, 2007 meeting were approved.
Treasurer and Membership Report: Membership
and Treasurer’s Report were distributed and reviewed. As of March
29, 2007 there are 492 members and membership dues collected total
$29,590.00. The checking account balance was $9,272.29. The
money market balance as of February 19, 2007 was $15,831.61, the
12-month CD balance was $13,102.16 and the 24-month CD balance was
$13,140.78.
Old Business
and Committee Reports
State Board of Governors: C.
Michael Hausman reported on the most recent meetings which were
apparently quite contentious. The transition between the State
Bar President and his successor has been interesting to say the least.
Scriptus/Website: Danni Caldwell
reported that the current version of the Scriptus is out, including the
bar poll. Some of the email issues identified last month have
been resolved.
Charitable Giving and Scholarship:
Doug Swanson reported that the proceedings with the UW Law School have
been nearly finalized and that we should have materials back
promptly. As that proceeds, Doug will work with Marquette in his
discretion.
Bar Poll - Judicial Elections: Judge
Davis reported that the bar polling was complete and there was
discussion of the results, which are posted on the website. There
was no substantial input concerning changes to this program moving
forward. Thanks to Sam Benedict for his continued administration.
Candidate Forum: Judge Davis
reported on the forum including the fact that there were roughly fifty
people in attendance. There was some discussion as to how best to
maximize attendance and press coverage, with no suggested modifications
for the next forum.
Awards Committee: This year's
awards have been given and the winners are Bill Reilly for
distinguished member, Ralph Zick for community service and Neal
Nettesheim for lifetime achievement. The individuals have been
notified and arrangements are underway for them or their
representatives to appear at the Awards Dinner.
Awards Dinner: Marjorie Wendt
indicated that the Awards Dinner is on pace and invitations should be
out promptly. No action was taken to change the previously
existing pricing structure.
Annual Meeting/CLE: Eric Love
reported that the majority of the speakers have been selected and it is
a matter of selecting time slots and formatting the breakout
sessions. Dan Habeck reported that Dean Kenneth Davis of the UW
Law School has tentatively agreed to make the keynote speech.
New
Business
There was
general discussion concerning selection of a slate of officers and
directors, including potentially adding directors. Judge Davis,
Eric Love and Marjorie Wendt will work to set a slate for the Annual
Meeting.
The meeting was
adjourned by unanimous consent at 1:00 p.m. Next meeting: Thursday,
April 26, 2007 at noon, Room G55, Administration Building.
Next
event: April 21, 2007 Awards Dinner
Respectfully
submitted,
Dan Habeck,
Secretary
*(Editor’s Note)
Next meeting is May 24, 2007 -
Room G-55 of the County Administration Building.
From the
Clerk of Courts
Small Claims Scheduling Change
The second cause (money damages) return date for all
eviction cases will now be heard at 9:00 a.m. on Monday mornings by
Commissioner Linda Georgeson, along with any eviction motions and
dismissal calendars. Eviction matters will no longer be scheduled on
Commissioner Pieper's Monday PM calendar. Please make note of this
important change and share this information with the appropriate
support staff in your office. Questions regarding small claims
scheduling should be directed to 262-548-7557.
Thank you.
Section News
The Municipal Law
Section has a meeting on March 30, 2007. Please see the WCBA website for details, or call
Dolly Ramos at (262) 548-1340.
Member News
Waukesha County Bar Association
Judicial Qualification Balloting Results
The Waukesha County Bar Association announces the
results of its annual Judicial Qualification Poll of its membership
today. This poll was conducted in preparation for the April 3,
2007 general election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Wisconsin Court
of Appeals and for Waukesha County Circuit Court judicial races.
Ballots were sent to the Association’s
membership. Of 633 ballots mailed out, 192 valid ballots were
returned and publicly opened and counted by members of the Judicial
Qualification Committee at the office of Bar Member, Sam Benedict, on
March 23, 2007.
Members were asked to rate each candidate as “highly
qualified”, “qualified”, “not qualified” or “no opinion”. The
committee’s tabulation of the results of the poll is attached to this
press release as a separate page.
You will note that the total ballots for each
candidate may not total the number of valid ballots received. In
some instances the voter failed to mark any column including the “no
opinion” column.
SAMUEL W. BENEDICT
Waukesha County Bar Association
WISCONSIN SUPREME
COURT
2 candidates
Annette Ziegler
68 Highly
Qualified 46
Qualified 44 Not
Qualified 30 No Opinion
Linda
Clifford
42 Highly
Qualified 41
Qualified 28 Not
Qualified 67 No Opinion
WISCONSIN COURT OF
APPEALS DISTRICT II
Unopposed
Daniel P. Anderson
88 Highly
Qualified 43
Qualified 3 Not
Qualified 53 No Opinion
CIRCUIT COURT OF
WAUKESHA COUNTY
BRANCH
1--Unopposed
Michael O. Bohren
93 Highly
Qualified 70
Qualified 9 Not
Qualified 18 No Opinion
CIRCUIT COURT OF
WAUKESHA COUNTY
BRANCH
9--Unopposed
Donald Hassin
116 Highly
Qualified 54
Qualified 17 Not
Qualified 4 No Opinion
Attention Everyone with Execpc.com
E-mail Addresses!
If you provided WCBA with an e-mail address, and
your ISP is execpc.com, you are probably experiencing difficulties with
receiving e-mail from us. All execpc.com addressed e-mail was
returned the last several times a mailing went to the membership.
Your humble web-mistress has tried everything in her somewhat
limited bag of tricks, so it now falls on affected members to determine
why WCBA mailings are not getting through. Please check with your ISP
to see if WCBA mail is being rejected as spam; that is the usual cause
for something like this. If there is something else that
should be done to get your e-mails to you, please let Danni Caldwell
know!
New
on the WCBA Web Site
The Waukesha County
Circuit Courts local rules have been revised or added to several times
late this winter. Links to all of the new rules, affecting family
court, small claims and civil case motion practice are on the WCBA
opening page.
A new posting was added in March to the employment
page. Remember that members can post ads for employees (legal or
support staff) for free. Please send the text for your ad and the
date you wish the ad to begin and end to the e-mail address, below.
Lawyers looking for work in the Waukesha market can post ads as well,
and need not be members.
Comments
or questions about the Scriptus should be directed to:
Danni Caldwell, Editor
548-7432
wcba1@waukeshabar.org
Spring Has Sprung!
