Family Law Section

Public Service Grants

Through its ongoing grant program, the Family Law Section enhances public access to legal services and other endeavors. In the fall of 2005 the section contributed $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity for the Katrina Relief Fund and $5,000 to Law Fund. In 2004-2005, organizations and programs benefiting from Family Law Section contributions included: $3,000 to Law Fund, earmarked to help fund volunteer lawyer programs; Spokane GAAP $1,000; City of Kent/Safe Havens Supervised Visitation Center $500; Clark County Volunteer Lawyers $1,000; WSBA Loan Repayment Assistance $1,000; King County Family Court Services $900; and TVW's cable program, The Docket, $2,000.

Family Law Practitioners Alert: Please Use Current Domestic Violence Protection Order Forms!

The Washington State Patrol and the Washington State Gender & Justice Commission have asked for the help of family law practitioners.

The Domestic Violence Protection Order forms, located at http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/index.cfm?fa=forms.contribute&formID=16, were updated in June of 2006. These forms were updated at that time to ensure ease of use for law enforcement and to make it clear whether or not federal firearms laws are implicated. The use of the wrong form can affect your client's rights and/or safety. The state patrol reports that despite the change, many courts are still issuing orders using the outdated forms. Please be sure you and your clients use the correct and current form. Thank you for your assistance.

Join Now!

The WSBA Family Law Section provides many benefits for members. The Family Law Section is the only statewide organization of family law attorneys, and is one of the most active sections in the State Bar. Some of the benefits of membership include:

Forms and Resources. Through the Family Law Section's members-only pages & listserve, specialized forms (such as interrogatories, briefs, client questionnaires, escrow instructions, sample trial questions for experts, and "Quickcites," with quick citations to relevant cases) are available to members. Contact Douglas Becker at dpb@site7000.com for obtaining access to this private website (restricted to attorney members of the section).
Family Law E-mail List. The Family Law Section maintains a members-only e-mail list dedicated to discussions of interest to Washington family law. It's like having hundreds of family law experts available to answer your questions.
Newsletter: The newsletter provides members with interesting articles concerning family law. You will receive the newsletter several times a year. Newsletters.
Hotsheet: The Hotsheet provides members with information about quickly developing topics, particularly during the legislative session. Topics include information about pending legislation and new developments affecting family law. The Hotsheet is sent free of charge to section members during part of the year.
Fax Polls: In conjunction with the Hotsheet, the section conducts "fax polls" to help us know what members think. This information is used in taking legislative positions.
CLEs: Family Law Section members receive discounts at section CLEs. This benefit alone can exceed the cost of membership.
The Family Law Section conducts two CLEs during most years. Our "Skills Training Institute" CLE focuses on teaching skills to practitioners new to family law, or anyone who wants to improve their practice skills.

Contacts. Becoming a member can provide you with the means to easily obtain contacts with fellow family law attorneys across the state.

Back to top

In addition to these direct benefits, there are also many indirect benefits to Family Law Section members. The section provides input and testimony on proposed legislation affecting family law, meets with the Superior Court Judges' Association every year to help improve our practice, and often comments on proposed court rules. These activities benefit all family law practitioners and their clients.

The following areas are available from here:

Members-Only pages & listserve. Contact Douglas Becker at dpb@site7000.com for obtaining access to the section's private website (restricted to attorney members of the section). If you're not sure that your Family Law Section membership is current, please contact the WSBA Service Center to verify status.
Awards given each year since 1987 to recognize an attorney, jurist and professional who contribute significantly to the practice of family law in Washington.
Calendar of Events showing the dates and locations of upcoming section events, including CLEs.
Executive Committee Roster providing information about current members of the Family Law Executive Committee.
Membership Resources and Web Links including information relevant to the section's business and family law-related websites.
Section Annual Report 2007-2008
Section Bylaws
WSBA Legislative Activities - Legislative Bill Referrals to Sections and Committees

Back to top

Questions about membership?

WSBA Service Center
206-443-9722 or 800-945-9722
questions@wsba.org

For additional information, please contact the Section Chair:

Ms. Kathleen E. Schmidt
E-mail: kes@kathleeneschmidt.com

We welcome your suggestions for ways to improve our web pages. Send e-mail comments to the Family Law Section