January_2007_Scriptus

SCRIPTUS

P.O. Box 400

Pewaukee, WI 53072

A Publication of the Waukesha County Bar Association

May-June, 2007

Danni Caldwell-Editor

			Table of Contents (click on a link to go to the article or item)
			Mark Your Calendars
			President's Letter
			Minutes and Treasurer's Report February Minutes March Minutes
			Clerk of Courts News
			Section News
			Member News
			New on the WCBA Website

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Late June, 2007

December 6, 2007

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

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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.

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From the Clerk of Courts

Video Visitation Unit Available to Attorneys

Since late last year, a Video Visitation Unit between the courthouse and the jail has been available in Conference Room C-105 of the courthouse - just south of the main lobby. This is the same type of unit available in the lobby of the jail. System professionals may utilize the unit to contact a party in jail between the hours of 7:00 am - 11:00 am and 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The instructions for use are posted in the room, and a telephone is available for contacting the jail to arrange for a visitation. If you have any questions or problems, please go to the Clerk's office in Room C-108 for assistance.

Waukesha County Receives State Bar Grant for Pro Bono Family Legal Clinic

With the assistance of a grant from the State Bar Association, a Waukesha County Family Legal Clinic will be developed to provide self-represented litigants with the opportunity to receive twenty minutes of free, Family Court related, legal advice from a volunteer attorney, and to provide an organized program through which attorneys can provide pro bono services to individuals in Waukesha County.

Attorneys who participate will be required to meet the following requirements:
*    Be licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin
*    Be willing donate at least 2 hours at a time to the clinic
*    Have permission from the law firm for which they work, and
*    Complete a volunteer registration form.

The State Bar of Wisconsin will be providing malpractice insurance for the time attorneys are assisting in the legal clinic.

Planning will begin once the grant is received. In the meantime, any attorney interested in volunteering time or learning more about the program may contact Tera Nehring in the Clerk of Court's office at 262-548-6870.

Changes for Adult Mental Commitments

Effective April 1, 2007 the juvenile court office is handling the adult civil commitment cases. These case filings are no longer handled by the probate court. The appointment of attorneys and doctors will be handled by Carrie Olson or Kelly Haag. All paperwork can be picked up or delivered directly at the juvenile court. The office phone number is 262-548-7449 and the facsimile number is 262-548-7459. If you are an attorney interested in being on the appointment list for these adult civil commitment cases, in addition to juvenile matters, please contact our office.

Section News

The Real Estate Section will hold its last meeting of the year on Friday, May 18, 2007 at noon. Call Attorney Jane L. Walker's office if you want to register or have any questions. 262-542-4420.

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Member News

Interested members are invited to volunteer at the first Waukesha County Day of Caring, June 19, 2007. Information is available on the WCBA website.(Day of Caring PDF Link) This event will benefit needy families in Waukesha County.

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New on the WCBA Web Site

The pictures from our Awards Dinner, taken by Melony Howard, are now on the website. For the first time, you can view them as a slide show. Click on the link for the slideshow. This will take you to an external site, Google’s Picasa. Simply click on the Awards Dinner album and then on the slideshow button above the picture thumbnails. You can order prints through this site if you see something you would like a copy of! Thanks to Melony for assisting us by being the photographer this year.

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Comments or questions about the Scriptus should be directed to:

Danni Caldwell, Editor

548-7432

wcba1@waukeshabar.org

Have a Great Summer!