April 2003

Opportunities for Service

WSBA Presidential Search

Application deadline: May 15, 2003

The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the position of WSBA president for 2004-2005. Pursuant to Article IV(A)(2) of the WSBA bylaws, the primary place of business of candidates for the 2004-2005 president must be King County. The WSBA member selected to be president will have an opportunity to provide a significant contribution to the legal profession.

Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2003, and should be limited to a current résumé, a concise application letter stating interest and qualifications, and no less than five or more than 10 references. The Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Governors will consider endorsement letters received by May 30, 2003. Applications and endorsement letters should be sent to WSBA Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330.

Confidential interviews with the Presidential Search Committee will be conducted May 16-30, 2003, at the WSBA office. Direct contact with the governors is also encouraged. All candidates will have an interview with the full Board of Governors in open session at the June meeting. Following the interviews, the board will select the president.

Although prior experience on the WSBA's Board of Governors may be helpful, there is no requirement that one must have been a member of the Board of Governors or had previous experience in Bar activities. The candidate must be willing to devote a substantial number of hours to WSBA affairs and be capable of being a positive representative for the legal profession. The position is unpaid; some expenses, such as WSBA-related travel, are reimbursed.

The commitment begins in June 2003, following selection. A one-year term as president-elect will begin at the WSBA annual business meeting in September 2003. The president-elect is expected to attend two-day board meetings held approximately every five to six weeks, as well as numerous subcommittee, section, regional, national and local meetings.

In September 2004, at the annual business meeting, the president-elect will assume the position of president. During his or her service, the president-elect and president will also be required to meet with members of the Bar, courts, media, and public and legal interest groups, as well as be involved in the Bar's legislative activities. Appropriate time will need to be devoted to communication by letter, e-mail and telephone in connection with these responsibilities.

The duties and responsibilities of the president are set forth in the WSBA bylaws.

Presidential Search Committee: Lucy Isaki, chair; Dick Manning, president; Dave Savage, president-elect; Robert Boggs, Ray Gonzales, Bill Hyslop and Fawn Sharp

WYLD President-elect Election

Filing deadline: June 2, 2003

Young lawyers interested in serving as president-elect of the WYLD are invited to submit a statement of eligibility and qualifications for this position. The president-elect automatically succeeds to the position of WYLD president upon completion of a one-year term commencing October 1, 2003.

To be eligible for the position of president-elect, candidates must have a principal place of business in Washington and must be a member of the WYLD at the time of taking office for the president-elect position. Additionally, the bylaws require that the president and president-elect have principal places of business in different counties. Therefore, this year's candidates may not have a principal place of business in King County.

Any active member of the Washington State Bar Association is also a member of the Washington Young Lawyers Division until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 36, or until December 31 of the fifth year in which he or she has been admitted to practice, whichever is later.

Individuals intending to stand for election must send their statement of eligibility and qualifications to Lisa Harper, WSBA, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330; lisak@wsba.org; or fax 206-727-8319.

WYLD Trustee Elections

Filing deadline: June 2, 2003

Young lawyers interested in serving on the WYLD board of trustees are invited to submit a statement of eligibility and qualifications for the following trustee district positions:

King District — representing King County (two positions available)
Peninsula District — representing Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties
Pierce District — representing Pierce County

To be eligible for one of these positions, a candidate must reside or have his or her principal place of business in the district he or she wishes to represent, and must be a member of the WYLD for at least the first two full years of the position. Elected trustees will serve three-year terms commencing October 1, 2003.

Commission on Judicial Conduct

Application deadline: April 25, 2003

The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants interested in serving a four-year term on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. Two positions are available, one as a member and one as an alternate. Incumbents are eligible for reappointment and must submit a letter of interest.

The goal of the commission is to maintain confidence and integrity in the judicial system by seeking to preserve both judicial independence and public accountability. The public interest requires a fair and reasonable process to address judicial misconduct or disability, separate from the judicial appeals system that allows individual litigants to appeal legal errors. The commission reviews new complaints, discusses the progress of investigations, and takes action to resolve complaints. The commission consists of 11 members who serve four-year terms: six nonlawyer citizens, three judges and two lawyers. The lawyers must be admitted to practice in Washington and are selected by the WSBA. The four-year term will commence June 16, 2003. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org.

ABA House of Delegates

Application deadline: April 15, 2003

The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest from members interested in serving on the ABA House of Delegates, representing Washington. There are three positions available (in August 2003) and one new position "pending ABA approval." A written expression of interest is required for any incumbents seeking reappointment.

The control and administration of the ABA is vested in the House of Delegates, the policymaking body of the ABA. The house, which has approximately 500 delegates, elects the ABA officers and board, and meets out of state twice a year. Delegate attendance is required. The WSBA's allowance is $500 per year per delegate. Members appointed to the House of Delegates serve a two-year term, which begins at the close of the ABA annual meeting (August 2003).

Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org.