January_2007_Scriptus

SCRIPTUS

P.O. Box 400

Pewaukee, WI 53072

A Publication of the Waukesha County Bar Association

January, 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
			Clerk of Courts News
			Section News
			Member News
			New on the WCBA Website

Mark Your Calendars

February 5, 2007 (12 Noon)

April 21, 2007

May 3, 2007

Support Staff Luncheon @ Country Springs Hotel (invitations were mailed to members)

Spring Awards Dinner @ Legends Country Club (invitations will be mailed)

Spring CLE Seminar & Annual Meeting
Country Springs Hotel

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A Word From Your President

Dear Waukesha Bar Members,

    Have you decided who you will be voting for on February 20th for Wisconsin Supreme Court? That’s right, the primary election to pick a successor to Justice John Wilcox is just around the corner. As lawyers, we have particular responsibility to prepare ourselves and participate in court elections.

   Three candidates have filed; the number will be pared to two by the primary for the April 3d general election. Our neighbor, Washington County Circuit Judge Annette Ziegler, is a candidate many of us know. (All twelve Waukesha circuit judges have endorsed Judge Ziegler) Dane County lawyers Linda Clifford and Joseph Sommers are the other candidates. Check out www.judgezieglerforsupremecourt.com and www.lindacliffordforjustice.org . Our Bar Association has taken preliminary steps to have a candidate forum in late March.

    The largest event of our year is coming on February 5th. Please bring your loyal staff to our Support Staff Luncheon for the reward they deserve!    Your Bar Association Board meets next at noon on Thursday, January 25th at the ground floor of the county administration building, across from the cafeteria. All Bar members are welcome to attend.

Mac Davis
President
Waukesha County Bar Association

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Board Minutes and Treasurer’s Report

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES - Thursday October 26, 2006

Attendance: Judge Davis, President, Marjorie Wendt, President-Elect, Dan Habeck, Secty/Treas., Danni Caldwell, Vicky Schroeder, Doug Swanson, Carrie Turner, Eric Love, Past President, Melony Howard, Admin. Ass’t., John Macy and C. Michael Hausman, Board of Governors.

Minutes: The minutes of the September 28th, 2006 meeting were approved.

Treasurer and Membership Report: Membership and Treasurer’s report were distributed and reviewed. As of October 26, 2006 there are 560 members and membership dues collected total $34,035.00. The checking account balance was $24,955.86. The money market balance was $15,739.69, the 12-month CD and the 24-month CD remain the same. The Treasurer’s report and membership report were approved.

OLD BUSINESS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

State Board of Governors: Mike Hausman and John Macy reported on recent activity, including that the Board of Governors took no position on the proposed marriage amendment to the State Constitution.

Courthouse Security: The metal detectors are in place and screening has begun. To date there have been no substantial delays. John Macy indicated that he had had a lot of complaints about perceived disrespect to the profession by not allowing lawyer access, and complaints that the WCBA has not done enough. Eric Love will draft a timeline and statement for publication concerning the Board’s substantial efforts to date.

Scriptus/Website: Danni Caldwell reported that the October version of the Scriptus is out.

Charitable Giving and Scholarship: Doug Swanson reported that he has followed up with the UW Law School as to implementation pursuant to the September Board approvals, and discussions continue.

Fall Ethics Seminar: Doug Swanson reported that the seminar is generally set. WestLaw will have a booth at the seminar, and Doug will continue to follow up with other entities if space is requested.

Fall Reception/Young Lawyers: Carrie Turner reported that the reception occurred and attendance was approximately 40. Board consensus was that unless a new idea or concept can be agreed on, the Fall Reception has likely run its course.

Old Courtroom Remodeling: Dan Habeck reported that Tim Andringa has the local bar grant information, and no further action is required at this time.

Bench Bar: A meeting was held on Monday, October 16, 2006. Discussion focused on courthouse security and family court order to show cause issues. Next meeting is Tuesday, January 23, 2007.

Christmas/Holiday Party: Danni Caldwell reported that the holiday party is on track. The date has been posted on the website and invites will be sent mid-November.

Group Photograph: Doug Swanson reported that the group photograph is complete and needs to be delivered to the courthouse.

NEW BUSINESS

Annual Meeting: The date for the Annual Meeting was tentatively set for Thursday, May 10, 2006. Eric Love and Dan Habeck will work to finalize that date and move the meeting and seminar forward.

Guardian ad Litem Seminar: Marjorie Wendt reported that she is conducting a guardian ad litem seminar, at the request of the juvenile court, on December 13, 2006. Following discussion, a motion was passed that the WCBA sponsor the event, and reimburse Marjorie for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in conducting the seminar.

Candidate Forum: Judge Davis will continue to evaluate the potential for a Supreme Court forum as those elections approach.

The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent. Next meeting: Thursday, November 16, 2006* at noon, Corporation Counsel Conference Room.

Respectfully submitted,
Dan Habeck, Secretary

*(Editor’s Note) Next meeting is January 25, 2007, Room G-55 of the County Administration Building.

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From the Clerk of Courts

Reminder to counsel regarding re-codification of Chapter 767
    Personal party information including social security number and date of birth are no longer to be included in petitions for divorce, legal separation and paternity filings. There is a new State created form, #GF-179Pro Se, entitled Confidential Petition Addendum, that should be completed and filed at case initiation. This form will be sealed and placed within the case file by Clerk of Circuit Court staff. If you have questions, you may contact the Family Division.
    For a cross-reference guide and overview of other substantive changes made to WI Statutes Chapter 767 see the WCBA website to download an Excel spreadsheet, or contact the Clerk of Courts - Family Division for a printed guide.

For all Juvenile Court Advocates and Guardians ad Litem
    Thank you to all guardian ad litem and advocate counsels who assisted in juvenile court cases in 2006.
    A reminder to all attorneys who wish to be considered for 2007 GAL or advocate counsel appointments in juvenile court matters, please submit your compliance forms to the court by January 31, 2007. (Compliance forms are available on the WCBA website).

Family Court Counseling Services - Mediation and Custody/Physical Placement Evaluation Fees

Effective January 3, 2007 the rates for mediation and evaluations are as follows:

Mediation:         The first mediation session is free.
                            The second mediation session is $100.00.
If the parties participate in mediation beyond their second session, the fee is $200.00.

Custody/Physical Placement Evaluations: The fee is $800.00.
    All court orders for FCCS services dated January 3, 2007 or later shall be charged at the 2007 rates. Court orders dated prior to January 3, 2007 shall be charged at the existing rates. FCCS will not provide services until the required payment is received, unless so ordered by the court.
    The court generally determines which party will pay which portion of the fee, either before payment is made or at a later hearing. If not ordered by the court, each party is generally required to pay half the fee in pending divorce/legal separation actions. In all other actions, the requesting party is generally required to pay.
    Please visit our website at http://circuitcourts.waukeshacounty.gov and click on Family Court Counseling Services for further information regarding FCCS. Thank-you.

Robin Kostroski, MSW
Director / Family Court Counseling Services

Section News

The Real Estate Section is meeting February 16, 2007 at noon at Albanese's Restaurant, Waukesha. Contact Jane Walker (262-542-4420) or see the WCBA website for more information. RSVP by February 15, please.

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Member News

If you did not receive an invitation to the Support Staff Luncheon, our biggest event of the year, please e-mail to wcba2@waukeshabar.org and request the form. The deadline for reserving a spot for yourself and your staff members is January 31! Imagine the pain of having to tell your wonderful, hardworking staff that you missed the deadline and they won’t be able to attend...

Board member Doug Swanson delivered the 2005-06 large composite bar photo to the ceremonial courtroom (C-215 - Judge Davis) in mid-December It was hung on the east side wall. When you enter the courtroom, it is on the wall to the right, and you are invited to stop in approach and examine it.

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New on the WCBA Web Site

Besides the photos of the Holiday Party, the web site also has a new employment posting, updated CLE credit information, upcoming section CLE information and the forms/documents mentioned in this newsletter.

Comments or questions about the Scriptus should be directed to:

Danni Caldwell, Editor

548-7432

wcba1@waukeshabar.org

Winter is truly here - enjoy or endure!