There are many ways that members can volunteer to advance the mission and goals of the WSBA:
You can serve on a WSBA committee, board, council, panel, or task force. Applications for the 2012-2013 year are being accepted through March 12th. Consult the list of openings, then apply via myWSBA.
The Washington Young Lawyers Division (WYLD) is a vehicle for new lawyers and law students to get involved with the WSBA, and a home to network and enhance leadership skills. You can develop programs for new/young lawyers, serve on the WYLD Board of Trustees, or become a young lawyer liaison to a WSBA Section.
The Access to Justice Board, a Supreme Court-created board administered by the WSBA, works to achieve equal access to the civil justice system for those facing economic and other significant barriers. Volunteers are welcome to join any of the ATJ Board's many committees at any time of the year.
Elections for the WSBA Board of Governors are held annually. Watch your email and the BOG Elections page for up-to-date news.
Other organizations often ask WSBA to appoint or nominate individuals to serve on their committees and boards. Watch your email and the FYI section of the Bar News for notices of upcoming opportunities.
Current Opportunities for Service
Pierce County Superior Court Tour Guides – ongoing
University of Washington School of Law's Immigrant Families Advocacy Project
The University of Washington School of Law's Immigrant Families Advocacy Project (IFAP) is searching for attorneys interested in collaborating with UW law students and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) to provide pro bono legal services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence. No prior experience with immigration law is necessary.
As a pro bono attorney with IFAP, you will either be assigned an I-360 self-petition for an abused spouse of a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident or a U-Visa for victims of domestic violence who report their abusers to law enforcement authorities. You will be working with one to three law students who will have attended a series of trainings. The students will complete applications, draft declarations, and gather supporting documentation under your supervision. Though you will be the attorney of record on an IFAP case, you will receive support from your student team and guidance from the staff at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
If you would like to get involved, please contact Andrea Hastreiter at andreaha@u.washington.edu or Jordan Wasserman, pro bono coordinating attorney for NWIRP, at Jordan@nwirp.org or 206-957-8632.