Established: 1915
Total Number of Members: 3,033
Out of State Members: 372 (active)
Membership is: Compulsory

Bar Profile:
The Wyoming State Bar was organized in 1915 as a voluntary association. It was integrated by the state legislature in 1939. Presently there are over 2,920 attorneys registered by the organization.

The state bar operates under the authority of the state supreme court to assist in the regulation and improvement of the profession. Its formally stated purpose is to assist and require attorneys to have high standards of integrity, competence, public service and conduct in order to promote the effective administration of justice.

According to its stated purposes, the bar maintains boards for admissions, continuing legal education and professional responsibility. The bar also maintains committees for the Supreme Court for fee dispute resolution, a clients security fund and the unauthorized practice of law.

The state bar participates in the Western States Bar Conference and the Jackrabbit Bar.

Attorney Regulation
The Wyoming State Bar is responsible for testing, evaluation and recommendation of applicants seeking admission to practice in the state. Practicing attorneys and law school graduates are required to undergo extensive character and fitness reviews as a condition of admission. The state also requires testing of practicing attorneys who primarily practice in jurisdictions that have not established reciprocity with Wyoming.

The bar's continuing legal education program requires attorneys to attend 15 hours of accredited courses each year to maintain active status. The state bar offers specialized annual course work for young attorneys and seminars including one hour of ethics and substantive areas of the law. New admittees are required to take four hours of a specialized ethics class during the first year of admission.

The state bar has three primary committees to respond to public complaints about attorneys: a fee arbitration committee, a clients' security fund committee and the state's board of professional responsibility. The latter board includes members who are lawyers and non-lawyers. The state bar maintains one attorney to prosecute complaints against attorneys.

Attorney Services
Primary services provided by the bar include publication of an annual lawyer directory and bi-monthly magazines and newsletters. The state bar also publishes informational pamphlets for attorney clients, civil and criminal pattern jury instructions and other topics.

The state bar maintains a lawyer referral service for members of the public. The state bar foundation maintains an opt-out program for interest on lawyer trust accounts to fund delivery of legal services for low income citizens. The foundation sponsors an annual mock trial competition for high school students each year, funds a law-related education curriculum development seminar for high school social studies teachers, and co-sponsors other programs in various areas.

ANNUAL MEETINGS
The state bar's annual meeting consists primarily of continuing legal education seminars and takes place each fall in mid-September.

September 2007
Jackson, WY
Wyoming State Bar Annual Meeting

View Current Officers & Leadership >>

(as of August 18, 2006)

President
Joseph B. Bluemel
P.O. Box 47
Kemmerer, WY 83101-0047
Phone: (307) 877-9091
Fax: (307) 877-9092

President-Elect
Gay V. Woodhouse
211 W. 19th St., Suite 308
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Phone: (307) 432-9399
Fax: (307) 432-7522

Vice President
Steven R. Cranfill
P.O. Box 3009
Cody, WY 82414-3009
Phone: (307) 527-9022
Fax: (307) 527-9024

Secretary-Treasurer
Eric E. Jones
P.O. Box 9
Wheatland, WY 82201
Phone: (307) 322-5252
Fax: (307) 322-3370

Contacts

Executive Director
Phone: (307) 632-9061

Continuing Legal Education Director
Marie Ellis
Phone: (307) 632-9061

Disciplinary Director
Becky Lewis
Phone: (307) 632-9061

Public Information & Services
Sharon Wilkinson
Phone: (307) 632-9061

Admissions
Cathy Duncil
Phone: (307) 632-9061

<< View Overview