Caselaw Express , a free weekly email service, delivers subscribers the previous week's court decisions. Lawyer Search , a database-driven search engine allows users to search around the clock for Wisconsin attorneys by name, city, and law school. The new State Bar Lawyer Dispute Resolution Program helps lawyers resolve differences during law firm breakups. The Professionalism Committee developed this program to head off litigation, protect clients, and reduce the burden on the courts. The Resolution of Fee Disputes service provides the public and lawyers with fast and inexpensive arbitration hearings to settle fee disputes between lawyers and clients.
Confidentiality is guaranteed.
During FY '98, more than 400 clients, attorneys, and judges contacted the State Bar for information on the program, with a total of 57 applications accepted for arbitration hearings. Ethics advice During FY '98, the State Bar Ethics Hotline conducted 2,114 informal consultations with members on such topics as confidentiality and conflicts of interest. The Professional Ethics Committee also issues formal ethics opinions at the request of members. This year the committee issued opinions regarding representation in real estate transactions and professional obligations that arise when a lawyer and law firm part company. Accordingly, the State Bar sponsors an annual Wisconsin Bar Leaders Conference .