State Bar of Wisconsin
MADISON, March 27, 2024 – Amidst a backdrop of the sobering reminder of the tragic 2022 murder of Judge John Roemer in Juneau County, Gov. Tony Evers signed into law on March 27 three bills aimed at bolstering the safety of judges.
The new legislation, including measures to restrict public protests outside judges’ residences and safeguard judges’ personal information online, underscores the persistent threats faced by those in the legal profession.
In parallel, recognizing the need for tailored safety guidance within the legal profession for both judges, lawyers, paralegals, and family members following continuing legal threats and violence—including the 2017 murder of Marathon County Attorney Sara Quirt Sann and three others at the hands of her client’s estranged husband—the State Bar of Wisconsin recently released, “Reduce Your Risk: A Guide to Personal Safety and Security for the Legal Community.”
This comprehensive guide is a collaborative effort among 10 legal and safety experts. It offers invaluable insights and strategies for mitigating risks faced by legal professionals both inside and outside the courtroom, enabling them to start a dialogue to help:
- Make informed decisions that will minimize their risk at the office and courthouse, at home, while traveling, and online
- Create an actionable safety plan based on real-world scenarios and expert recommendations
- Understand how safety and ethical obligations go hand in hand
- Incorporate well-being strategies that contribute to a legal professional’s sense of security and safety
“Lawyers, judges, and legal staff have long had to content with the potential for job-related violence,” said Dean R. Dietrich, president of the State Bar of Wisconsin. “By the nature of their work, lawyers sometimes end up handling emotionally charged cases, such as divorces, child custody disputes, and the potential loss of liberty and personal freedom.”
Dietrich, a contributor to the Safety Guide, also advocated on behalf of the State Bar for successful passage of the Judicial Security Package.
The threat to legal professionals is evident in 30 studies conducted by Stephen Kelson, a Salt Lake City attorney and contributor to the guide. In a January 2024 interview with the State Bar of Wisconsin, Kelson said “The results of these studies show that violence and threats of violence against members of the legal profession are far more prevalent than reported by the media or commonly perceived by lawyers.”
[Read more of Kelson’s interview in the State Bar’s publication, “Wisconsin Lawyer.”]
The guide honors 24 judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals in the United States who have been killed because of their work. Sadly, It does not represent the sum total.
Legal professionals may obtain their copy from the State Bar’s Marketplace product page. Additionally, the Bar is offering in July a continuing legal education course that will give attendees deeper dive into considerations and solutions safety strategies.
