Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. is asking for the support of all Wisconsin attorneys to encourage the Wisconsin Supreme Court to adopt State Bar Petition 07-09, which protects consumers from the unauthorized practice of law. The Wisconsin State Bar initiative, Legal Services Consumer Protection Act is designed to protect consumers from individuals who do not have the proper training and oversight to give legal advice. As the system currently operates, consumers have no practical remedies when their interests are harmed by people who are not licensed to practice law in Wisconsin.

 

Wisconsin consumers need reliable access to expert legal advisers who have the specialized education, skills, and techniques to protect consumers' interests. The State Bar petition asks the court to take two actions: (1) Adopt a new rule to clearly define what constitutes the "practice of law" for consumer protection purposes; and, (2) Create an administrative system to enforce the new rule.

 

Your help is needed! The Supreme Court is holding a public hearing and open administrative conference on the petition at 9:45 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2010, in the Supreme Court's hearing room in the State Capitol building. I strongly encourage your attendance. If you cannot attend, send e-mails in support to Deputy Clerk Carrie Janto and Supreme Court Clerk David Schanker. Include real-life examples of how consumers have been hurt. Mail hard copies to:

 

Wisconsin Supreme Court
110 East Main Street, Suite 215
P.O. Box 1688
Madison, WI 53701-1688

 

For additional information or if you would like to talk about your personal experiences contact Adam Korbitz at the State Bar by calling 800.444.9404, ext. 6140 or 608.250.6140.

 

The Court's decision will have a major impact on ATG and how our members practice law in Wisconsin. We will keep you informed on the petition's progress. Please contact me if you have any questions.

 

Thomas G. Cullen
Managing Attorney - Wisconsin Operations
Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.
2418 Crossroads Drive, Suite 1600
Madison, WI 53718
Office: 608.442.8130
Fax: 608.442.8159