Conference will focus on help for self-represented litigants

Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin - June 27, 2006

Judge Dorothy L. Bain

Judge Benjamin D. Proctor

Judge Gary L. Carlson

On Thursday, June 29, for the first time in the history of the state, representatives of the courts in 25 Wisconsin counties will come together to focus on improving services to people who represent themselves in court. The conference will run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Fill-Inn Station in downtown Chippewa Falls.

The participating counties (listed below) comprise the Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts, each of which has developed programs for providing assistance to self-represented litigants. Now, the organizers of the district initiatives – judges, court commissioners, court administrators, clerks of circuit court, registers in probate, staff from Judicare, instructors from UW-Superior, and community members – will join together to share information and plan future collaborations.

“This is an important opportunity for us to learn from one another as we work to strengthen our services to individuals representing themselves in court,” said District Nine Chief Judge Dorothy L. Bain. “There are some exciting initiatives underway in both jurisdictions and we hope to expand those.”

Chief Judge Benjamin D. Proctor agreed. “About 7 in 10 litigants in family court are proceeding without legal counsel. We have identified ways to make the process easier for these individuals to understand and navigate, and we hope to share what we have learned and enhance our programs by implementing ideas that have been successful elsewhere.”

Leading the program will be the respective chairs of the District 9 and District 10 committees, Deputy Chief Judge Gary L. Carlson, Taylor County, and Clerk of Court Karen Hepfler, Chippewa County. Atty. Ann Zimmerman, who manages statewide initiatives on this topic, also will participate, as will Director of State Courts A. John Voelker.

The Ninth District is comprised of Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Oneida, Price, Shawano, Taylor, and Vilas counties. The Tenth District includes Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, and Washburn.

For more information contact:
Amanda Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256

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