The Third Branch
Milwaukee court staff training focuses on helping pro se litigants
By Brenda Ottesen, Milwaukee County Human Resources Manager
More than 40 staff members from the Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Courts Office participated in a December training program in Milwaukee entitled Assisting Self-Represented Litigants Without Providing Legal Advice. The program was held in two parts, each running a half day. Additional trainings will be scheduled in 2010.
Developed with guidance from Ann Zimmerman, state pro se coordinator, and based upon Zimmerman's training model, this training was an opportunity to educate the front-line staff about available resources. It also allowed Clerk of Circuit Court John Barrett and Chief Judge Jeffrey Kremers to communicate to the staff the valuable role employees play in assisting Milwaukee County residents in gaining access to the courts.
I facilitated the training session along with Senior Administrator Sarah Gunn. Family Division Presiding Judge Michael Dwyer presented a program on what constitutes procedural assistance versus legal advice. Amy Wochos, coordinating attorney, Milwaukee Justice Center, gave a presentation on available resources for self-represented litigants in Milwaukee County and provided handouts. Staff members Theresa Konkel and Sedrick Gray were given an opportunity to show their thespian talents in skits demonstrating common scenarios in order to prompt discussion by participants. Each presentation ended with a question and answer period.
At the end of the program, attendees were asked to evaluate the presentation. While comments varied to some degree, most staff indicated they gained a fair amount to a great deal of knowledge from the program. Many found the presentation and discussion of the parameters of assistance staff are obliged to provide very helpful and relevant to their positions.
"This kind of training really does benefit everyone — the employees, the parties, and judges," said Barrett. "We are all better off after receiving this kind of training. I would recommend it highly.