About WACDL
About WACDL
MISSION: WACDL is committed to promoting the proper administration of criminal justice; fostering and maintaining the integrity, independence and expertise of the defense lawyer in criminal cases; and encouraging an unyielding concern for the protection of individual rights and due process.
Membership is restricted to attorneys who practice criminal defense law or to WACDL members who have retired from the practice of law; those who are full or part time prosecutors or judges may not join WACDL. Currently we have more than 400 members from across Wisconsin, representing both large firms and solo practitioners.
We administer a very active listserve on which our members exchange practice pointers, insights into judges, prosecutors and law enforcement, legal strategies, war stories, successes and failures, and sample motions and briefs. Members are expected to respect the confidentiality of the listserve and may not share or forward messages to persons outside their firms. WACDL members also have access to an on-line library of sample briefs and pleadings ("Brief Bank"), a directory of experts, and a defense resource library. New materials is added to the website frequently.
WACDL sponsors two or three criminal law seminars annually, including one devoted strictly to the ethical issues that criminal defense lawyers see in their practices. WACDL also works to arrange mentoring relationships for new lawyers who want to have the benefit of a one-on-one relationship with an experienced practitioner.
We regularly recognize exceptional criminal defense lawyers with awards for successful defense at trail of homicides, exceptional service to persons unable to pay for an attorney, and outstanding contributions to the practice of criminal law. Click to view award recipients
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
New Lawyer (3 yrs or less- $35; 4-5 yrs - $65) and Regular Membership: ($125)
* Access to the WACDL web site and brief and pleadings bank.
* Listing in the searchable online membership directory
* Listing in the "Find a Lawyer" search tool
* Reduced fees at WACDL seminars
* Access to the WACDL listserve
* Access to the services of the Lawyer Strike Force
* WACDL members receive a significant discount for CourtTracker™, the highly regarded criminal case research tool from Court Data Technologies LLC, as well as discounts on custom court case research and custom data apps.
Note: There is no charge for law students, but they are not eligible to subscribe to our confidential listserve.
Sustaining Membership ($250) View list of Sustainer Members
* All benefits of regular membership
* Listing in the Sustainers section of the on-line WACDL directory
* Recognition in seminar outlines and materials
* $50 off certificate good for any WACDL seminar
President's Club Membership ($500) View list of President's Club Members
* All benefits of regular and sustaining membership
* Separate listing on the WACDL website
* Two certificates each worth $50 off the member price of any WACDL seminar.
Retired Members ($10.00)
* Access to the WACDL web site and brief and pleadings bank.
* Access to the WACDL listserve
* WACDL Seminars
Our membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 and is renewed annually upon payment of dues.
Click here to become a member.
Bobbi Petersen is our Executive Director. Our mailing address is PO Box 909, Madison, WI 53701.
Telephone 608-509-6736
Fax 608-223-9329
The email address for general inquiries regarding membership, the listservs, the brief bank, and other website and WACDL issues is director@wacdl.com
In order to be a member of WACDL, an attorney is expected to sign the following attestation:
I am a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and I am engaged in the practice of criminal defense law or I am eligible to join as a retired member.
If joining as a retired member I was 1) a member of WACDL in good standing in the year preceding my retirement; or 2) eligible for WACDL membership in the year preceding retirement and was a member of WACDL in 3 of the 5 years preceding retirement; or 3) a member of the judiciary at the time of retirement but was a member of WACDL in good standing just prior to or at the time of becoming a member of the judiciary.
I am committed to the fair administration of justice and the defense of individuals accused of crime; I am not a member on a regular or full-time basis of any law enforcement agency or any local, state or federal agency engaged in the prosecution of criminal matters. I will hold in confidence and will not disclose or publish content of the listserve administered by WACDL to anyone who, on a full-time basis, is a member, as a state or federal lawyer or staff person, or a judge, of an organization that prosecutes criminal matters.
SIGNATURE: _________________________________________ DATE: ___________________________