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Support builds for judicial code amendment

In early 2013, the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission convened a working group to examine possible changes to the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct that would provide additional guidance to judges to help address one of the challenges raised by the growth in self-represented litigants. On September 13, 2013, the Commission filed Petition 13-14 with the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The court has now scheduled a hearing on the petition for

Jeff Brown January 13, 2014

New leadership at Disability Rights Wisconsin

By Rita Lord On September 30, 2013, Daniel Idzikowski became the new executive director at Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW). A graduate of Marquette Law School, he has spent his career working for social justice organizations, including the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund (APPALRED), Legal Services of Northeastern Wisconsin, the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Legal Action of Wisconsin and Catholic Charities. He also served as Assistant Dean for Public Service

Jeff Brown January 13, 2014

Inns of Court pro bono project

by Kent A. Tess-Mattner As part of its mission “foster excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills,” the Leander J. Foley, Jr. Matrimonial Chapter of the American Inns of Court in Milwaukee is helping to staff the Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC) at the courthouse as its service project for the 2013-14 academic year. The MJC is a collaborative project between the Milwaukee Bar Association, Milwaukee County and Marquette University

Jeff Brown January 13, 2014

Mobile legal clinic is on a roll

Marquette Law School and the Milwaukee Bar Association have partnered to launch the Milwaukee Justice Center Mobile Legal Clinic, a specially outfitted bus designed to help provide free, brief legal advice to individuals who find themselves outside of the areas currently served by legal volunteer efforts in metropolitan Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently included the Mobile Legal clinic on its list of Big Ideas 2013. The Mobile Legal Clinic was

Jeff Brown January 13, 2014

On the state of equal justice in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission has released its report with key findings and recommendations on how to improve access to justice for unrepresented, low-income Wisconsin residents. The report draws on testimony from over 137 witnesses who provided testimony at a series of regional public hearings in Green Bay, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Madison, La Crosse and Wausau. More funding for civil legal services, increased support for pro bono efforts, and

Jeff Brown October 16, 2013

Commission welcomes new member: Dan Hoff

The Access to Justice Commission is pleased to welcome its newest member, Appleton attorney Dan Hoff. From Senator Mike Ellis’ press release announcing Hoff’s appointment: “Dan Hoff is a well-respected attorney with an excellent reputation,” said Ellis. “I am confident that he will bring a Fox Valley perspective to the Commission.” Hoff received his law degree in 1998, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. He has been owner of

Jeff Brown September 13, 2013

Updating the Judicial Code for the Age of Self-Represented Litigants

A working group convened by the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission is examining possible changes to the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct that would provide additional guidance to judges to help address one of the challenges raised by the growth in self-represented litigants. The working group, led by retired Court of Appeals Judge Margaret Vergeront, has been preparing proposed changes as well as gathering suggestions from judges and practicing attorneys.

Jeff Brown July 29, 2013

The return on investing in access to justice

This story in the National Law Journal is just the latest example of how legal services programs and even legal services funding organizations are emphasizing the social “return on investment” that is generated by the work that they do. From the article: Page 14 of Legal Services Corp.’s proposed 2014 budget request to Congress bears the face of a 7-month-old infant wearing a baby helmet to form his skull. He

Jeff Brown July 16, 2013

Making access to justice a nonpartisan issue

When the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission meets on Friday it will be bittersweet due to the refusal by state legislators to take action that would remove Wisconsin from the list of only four states that provide no state funding to support civil legal services to the indigent. Volunteers from the Commission worked with staff from the State Bar of Wisconsin and representatives from numerous other organizations to develop a

Jeff Brown June 6, 2013

Time to Make Legal Assistance for Abuse Victims a Priority

The Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission has released its Legal Services for Abuse Victims Proposal urging the Wisconsin Legislature to ensure that abuse victims in Wisconsin have access to the basic legal services they need to protect themselves and to begin rebuilding their lives. Working with the State Bar of Wisconsin and other stakeholders, the Commission is calling on the Legislature to appropriate $3 million in GPR funding over the 2013-2015 biennium

Jeff Brown April 18, 2013

We need your support

Access to justice requires a steady commitment of time, money, and effort. Members of the commission are all volunteers and donate a considerable amount of their time every month.  Everything else we do to support and expand access for Wisconsin residents has some cost. We need your support in the manner that best fits your resources, your time, and your experience. 

Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission
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We are a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) Wisconsin corporation governed by an 18 member board. Board members are appointed by our stakeholders:  the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Governor, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Legislature, Marquette University Law School, the University of Wisconsin Law School, the Wisconsin Tribal Judges Association, and the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation.

The Commission was created by an order of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in response to a petition filed by the State Bar of Wisconsin. We are a proud member of the Civil Legal Aid Alliance of Wisconsin (CLAAW).

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