Open to Debate

Dianne Molvig, in our State Bar's Wisconsin Lawyer magazine, profiles new president Steve Levine. Among other things

He hopes to include in next spring's election a referendum to gauge Bar members' sentiments on the mandatory versus voluntary question. That referendum could occur in two ways. Either the Board of Governors would agree to hold the referendum, or members could petition the Board to do so.

Levine feels there's a chance the Board of Governors may approve the idea. "Even those who feel Bar membership should be mandatory might be interested in finding out how the membership feels about it," he says.

Levine is adamant that, contrary to the assumptions of many, "I am not anti-Bar in any way," he says. "I think the Bar is a tremendous professional association. It's very high quality, and the staff is excellent. I just think it's wrong to force people to join any organization."