SCR 10.02. Organization of the state bar of Wisconsin

Organization of the state bar of Wisconsin. (1)

Creation of Association. All persons licensed to practice law in this

state are organized as an association to be known as the "state bar of

Wisconsin," subject to the provisions of this chapter. The rules of this

chapter, which are adopted in the exercise of the court's inherent

authority over members of the legal profession as officers of the court,

may be referred to as "state bar rules." The state bar may, for the

purpose of carrying out the purposes for which it is organized, sue and

be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, hold, encumber and dispose of

real and personal property.

(2) Purposes. The purposes of the association are to aid the

courts in carrying on and improving the administration of justice; to

foster and maintain on the part of those engaged in the practice of law

high ideals of integrity, learning, competence and public service and

high standards of conduct; to safeguard the proper professional interests

of the members of the bar; to encourage the formation and activities of

local bar associations; to conduct a program of continuing legal

education; to assist or support legal education programs at the

preadmission level; to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects

pertaining to the practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and law

reform and the relations of the bar to the public and to publish

information relating thereto; to carry on a continuing program of legal

research in the technical fields of substantive law, practice and

procedure and make reports and recommendations thereon within

legally permissible limits; to promote the innovation, development and

improvement of means to deliver legal services to the people of

Wisconsin; to the end that the public responsibility of the legal

profession may be more effectively discharged.

(3) Definition. In this chapter, "state bar" means the state bar of

Wisconsin.