State Bar of WI Board of Governors defeats MDP proposal.

• Date: 13 November 2002

Byline: Tony Anderson

The State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors has rejected a proposal that would have allowed lawyers to participate in multidisciplinary practice (MDP) firms. During its Friday meeting, the board voted overwhelmingly - 39-5 - against the recommendation of the State Bar's MDP Commission.

Some people, including Gov. Benton C. Strauss who presented the motion to adopt, saw the vote as a "foregone conclusion." Strauss's comment referred to a large quantity of e-mail opposing the recommendation, which had circulated prior to the meeting.

Despite that, Strauss noted, "It's important for any governing body to consider the long-range consequences of its actions not just the news of the day."

He acknowledged the impact that the Enron-Arthur Andersen scandal has had on the discussion. Media coverage of improprieties by accounting firms has fanned the flames of opposition to the idea of lawyers partnering with accounting firms or other professions.

Other opposition raised during discussions included the potential loss of professional independence, concerns about confidentiality, conflict of interest and a lack of adherence to the rules of conduct which bind attorneys.

Strauss, of Strauss & Malk in Deerfield, Illinois, said the key consideration when looking toward the future is whether or not clients would be served better by allowing some form of MDP, where clients could receive a variety of coordinated services by lawyers and non-lawyers.

State Bar Secretary Pamela Pepper, who has a law office in Milwaukee, noted the importance of considering...