www.LegalExplorer.com

Navigating the Legal Wilderness

by George C. Brown,
State Bar executive director

Close your eyes. Imagine a compass, a brown fedora and leather bomber jacket, and wilderness adventures. Now add in the law and legal programs that have a positive impact on the public and the image of the profession. What do you have?

LegalExplorer, the State Bar of Wisconsin's newly launched public Web site.

The first bar association law-related Web site in the country designed for the general public, LegalExplorer.com provides potential clients and legal consumers the ability to navigate Wisconsin's legal system without having to wade through the mountain of information on the State Bar's award-winning Web site, WisBar.

LegalExplorer provides a cost-effective way to distribute the wealth of consumer information developed by the various State Bar sections, committees, and divisions to educate the public about the law. Until now, the State Bar had no consistent, effective way to get this information to the public. Information about the State Bar's successful law-related education programs, such as the high school mock trial program, peer mediation programs, and various teacher resources, now are available 24 hours a day to lawyers, teachers, students, and the general public.

LRIS online, the State Bar's Lawyer Referral and Information Service on the Web, gives the public an opportunity to access an attorney in their area. Potential clients can be referred to an attorney without having to speak to anyone but retain the option of talking with a legal assistant at any time during our extended business hours. If visitors think they might be eligible for free legal services, they can access the legal services income eligibility guidelines and other low-cost legal service options.

The State Bar's voluminous consumer education materials are available on LegalExplorer.com, as is information about the various consumer assistance programs, such as fee arbitration and the business assistance program. LegalExplorer.com also widens distribution of public information materials and allows the information to be kept current without going to the expense of discarding outdated publications.

This Web site expands the State Bar's commitment to public service and education, one of the hallmarks of a professional association like the State Bar. It also positions the State Bar of Wisconsin as a credible source to the public and improves the image of attorneys to the public.

LegalExplorer is the brainchild of the State Bar's WisBar Oversight Committee working closely with State Bar staff and numerous consumer-focused committees throughout the Bar.

So, the next time a teacher, student, or other member of the public needs a compass and a map to navigate Wisconsin's legal wilderness, LegalExplorer.com is here to help. But, they're on their own when it comes to the fedora and the leather jacket.

Wisconsin Lawyer