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An Open Letter to the 2014 Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society members
Madison, Wisconsin - April 29, 2015
All the justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court join me in thanking and congratulating the 398 attorneys who qualified for the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society based on their pro bono contributions in 2014. These attorneys provided at least 50 hours of qualifying pro bono legal services to benefit people of limited means in 2014.
When the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society was created last year by the Wisconsin Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Pro Bono Program, 121 Wisconsin lawyers were honored for their pro bono contributions in 2013. We are pleased to see how the program has grown since then. A commitment to pro bono service is an important part of being a Wisconsin lawyer and a distinguishing feature of our profession.
Volunteers are a key component of our legal services delivery system in Wisconsin and their services are a valuable contribution to the fair and effective functioning of our courts. The need is great, but time and resources are scarce. Together with the full-time staff lawyers in our legal aid and indigent defense programs, volunteers provide vital legal assistance to thousands of low income and vulnerable Wisconsin residents every year. The generosity of the Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society attorneys helps to ensure equal access to justice for all.
We commend these 398 attorney for their service in 2014 and we look forward to recognizing even more honorees for their contributions in 2015.
Shirley S. Abrahamson
Chief Justice, Wisconsin Supreme Court