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. (1)