Committees

In addition to its governance committees (Executive and Finance), the Commission has four committees to further develop and organize its work. Each committee was a basic charter to guide its work. The goal is to have the committees develop plans and programs in key areas for board approval. Committees include voting members of the Commission board as well as others who bring specific skills or experience to the committee’s work. If you would like to participate in one of our committees, please use the Contact Us form to let us know.

Courts Committee

The purpose of the Courts Committee shall be to assist the Commission in identifying and recommending proposed changes to ensure that Wisconsin courts and tribunals are safe, accessible, meaningful and convenient for their users.

Howard Bichler
Patricia Hanson
Mitch
Hon. C.A. Richards

Delivery of Legal Services Committee

The purpose of the Delivery of Legal Services Committee shall be to assist the Commission in developing and implementing strategies that support the Commission’s goal of achieving continuous improvement in Wisconsin’s legal services delivery system.

Angela Schultz, Chair
James Gramling
Mitch
Jeff Timm
Hon. Michael Dwyer

Public Awareness Committee

The purpose of the Public Awareness Committee shall be to assist the Commission in increasing public education about and support for meeting the civil legal needs of low income Wisconsin residents.

Maurice Rice, Chair
Ben Obregon
Angela Schultz
Sue Sorenson
Jeff Unger
Beth Ann Richlen

Resource Development Committee

The purpose of the Resource Development Committee shall be to assist the Commission by developing recommendations on long-term funding solutions for both civil legal services and the Commission.

Robyn Thibado, Chair
Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf
Dan Hoff
Marsha Mansfield
Susan Sorenson

Executive Committee

Jim Gramling, President
Howard Bichler, Treasurer
Robyn Thibado, Secretary
Susan Sorenson

Finance Committee

Howard Bichler, Chair

Escaping Abuse

Ramona’s father and brothers physically and emotionally abused her throughout her childhood in her home country. They poured boing water on her, whipped her with wire cords, kept her as an unpaid servant and refused her any education. They also refused to allow her to marry. As an adult, the physical abuse continued, neighbors did nothing and her future in her home country was bleak, with only physical abuse and long, hard physical labor ahead.

Then, Ramona’s father sent her to the United States to care for a relative and to work, without pay, in a family gas station. Ramona sought help the Catholic Charities Legal Services for Immigrants program (LSI). LSI filed an asylum petition for Ramona and an immigration judge granted her request for asylum as an immigrant victim of domestic violence. The client now has control of her life and doesn’t have to live in fear.