Michelle A. Behnke, a 1988 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and a solo practitioner at Michelle A. Behnke, Attorney at Law, is the new President-elect of the State Bar of Wisconsin. Behnke is the first African-American elected to this post in the State Bar's 125 year history. She will serve as President-elect for one year beginning July 2003, before taking office as president in July 2004.

Behnke has been active in the Law School as a member of the Law School's Board of Visitors, as an adjunct faculty member, and as a mentor through the Friends of LEO Mentorship Program.

Behnke received a B.A. in Economics from the UW-Madison in 1983, going on to earn her J.D. degree in 1988. From 1988 to 1993, she was an associate at Stolper, Koritzinksy, Brewster & Neider, and from 1993 to 1997, she was Associate General Counsel at CUNA Mutual Group.

Behnke currently is on the State Bar's Executive Committee and Board of Governors (of which she was chair 2001-2002). She served as chair of the Bar's Diversity Outreach Committee from 1994 to 1999, and was a member of the Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors from 1992 to 1997. She served as treasurer of the State Bar from 1995 to 1997.

Behnke is also active in service to the Madison community. A member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Madison Housing Foundation from 1990 to 1995, she served as president from 1993 to 1995. She is a member of St. Mary's Hospital and Care Center Foundation, Rotary International, and the Edgewood High School Board of Trustees.

Legal associations of which Behnke is a member include the Dane County Bar Association, Legal Association for Women, Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers, and American Bar Association.

Submitted by on May 1, 2003

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