Stephen Sawyer has been elected the next president-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin, following the close of the organization’s annual elections on April 25.
Sawyer, an attorney with Sawyer Law LLC in Stevens Point, won the statewide contest with 1,211 votes, defeating Johanna Kirk of Superior, who received 1,099 votes. He will assume the role of president-elect on July 1, 2025, and is slated to serve a one-year term in that position before becoming president of the organization in July 2026.
A 1996 graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Sawyer brings decades of legal experience to his new leadership role.
“I am very honored and humbled to have been elected to serve the State Bar of Wisconsin as an officer,” Sawyer said in a State Bar of Wisconsin press release. “These are challenging times for our profession and for the judicial branch of government. I will do my best to rise to those challenges and to build upon the proud tradition of excellence that has been the hallmark of our State Bar.”
In the race for treasurer, Steven J. Krueger of Green Bay secured a two-year term, defeating Emil Ovbiagele of Milwaukee by a vote of 1,160 to 1,086. Madison attorney Sarah Zylstra was elected to a three-year term as Judicial Council representative.
Newly elected officers begin their terms on July 1.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov