Membership

WDC is a statewide association of attorneys who practice primarily in the defense of civil litigation. WDC was formed in 1962 and has grown to over 350 attorneys. We offer a variety of activities and services for the defense attorney.

WDC bylaws state that, "The Board of Directors may establish categories of membership. Any member of the State Bar of Wisconsin who devotes 50 percent or more of his or her professional time to the defense of civil litigation is eligible for full membership. Any person or entity who devotes less than 50 percent of his or her professional time to defense of civil litigation is eligible for an associate membership. Any member of the State Bar of Wisconsin or other licensing authority of his or her respective state whose bar license is in inactive status is eligible for an inactive attorney’s membership. Any person who is not a licensed attorney but is employed as a claims professional by a corporation or insurance company, and who devotes 50 percent or more of his or her professional time hiring or supervising outside counsel in the representation of business, insurance companies or their insureds, associations or governmental entities in civil litigation, or those claims executives who directly or indirectly manage other professionals who do so are eligible for a claims professional membership.  The Board of Directors may, in their discretion, restrict participation at meetings, attendance at seminars and other events, list serv participation, voting on matters of WDC business, and service on the Board of Directors or as an Officer of WDC to those with full membership."

Education

WDC holds three education programs during the year, all of which provide continuing legal education (CLE) credits. Strong, substantive programs present the latest developments in the field of civil litigation. These programs bring together insurance industry claims staff and defense attorneys to share common problems and concerns on an informal basis.

A spring seminar is held in April or May at the American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin. A summer seminar is held in August. A winter seminar is held in December.

For more on these activities, see the calendar of events.

Other member benefits include:

  • Inclusion on the WDC Web site, linked to your web site.
  • Triannual journal, reporting on current tort topics and matters of interest to the defense bar;
  • Legislative liaison to the Wisconsin Assembly for the defense bar;
  • Amicus curiae briefs in appellate cases of significance and importance to the defense bar;
  • Position papers prepared for presentation and publication on current issues of legislation affecting civil litigation;
  • Weekly Advance eSheet with selected cases, posts, links and Circuit Court decision of interest;
  • Opt-in communication through the member list serve. Please note that the List Serv Community Discussion Forum is only available to individual full members;
  • Support for and participation in the National Association of Local Defense Groups, held in conjunction with the Defense Research Institute, Inc.;
  • WDC is the only statewide organization which is specifically designed to meet the needs and solve the problems of the defense trial attorney. Joining will give you an opportunity to meet and work with the defense bar throughout the State of Wisconsin.

Law Student Membership - Free

In addition to the benefits that all WDC members enjoy, Law Student Members will receive complimentary registration (excludes travel and hotel) to the WDC Spring, Annual and Winter Conferences.  Law Student Members will have access to WDC members who can provide law school advice, career guidance, mentorship, networking, and more. You'll find a wealth of experiences and voices that connect you to the next steps in your career. 

Download Membership Brochure