February 2003

FYI: For Your Information

WSBA members who are on active duty in the U.S. military service may transfer to inactive status (if they are not otherwise engaged in the practice of law that requires them to be active members of the Bar). The WSBA bylaws provide that a member in military service who has been inactive for five years or less may, within 90 days after termination from active duty, transfer to active bar membership status by paying the current active membership fee and otherwise complying with the bylaws. For more information, see WSBA bylaws Art. II (C)(3) Bylaws.

WSBA's Legal Services to the Armed Forces Committee Is Calling Volunteers

Mobilization of military personnel creates a great need for legal assistance in the areas of basic estate planning, powers of attorney and health-care directives. WSBA's Legal Services to the Armed Forces Committee is spearheading an effort to gather names of WSBA members willing to serve our reservists and active armed forces and their families based in Washington by volunteering time pro bono. Volunteers will receive training from legal staff at local military bases. Please contact Ken Luce, chair of the Legal Services to the Armed Forces Committee, at 253-922-8724 or guardhi@aol.com.

New Edition of Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook Released by WSBA-CLE

A fully revised, new edition of the three-volume Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook (edited by David D. Swartling) is now available. The deskbook contains everything you need to know for civil practice in Washington — comprehensive discussion of rules and procedure, plus concrete practice tips from experienced Washington practitioners. In addition to two diskettes containing sample forms, checklists and pleadings, this work provides complete coverage of commencement of the action; service of process; pleadings, motions and orders; parties; depositions and discovery; trials; judgment; provisional and final remedies; and general provisions. The deskbook is $375, or $337 if you sign up for automatic update service (plus $9 shipping/handling and 8.8 percent sales tax for Washington orders). To order, see the WSBA Web site at http://store.yahoo.com/wsbastore/301du.html or call 206-733-5918.

License Fee Reminder

Licensing Packets

Licensing packets were mailed in December. These include your license-fee invoice, trust-account form and, if applicable, the MCLE reporting form (the C-2 Compliance Affidavit). If you have not yet received your licensing packet, please call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA, or e-mail questions@wsba.org to request a duplicate. Please note that it is your responsibility to pay your annual license fee by the February 3, 2003, deadline, regardless of whether or not you receive the licensing packet. Failure to pay fees due by the deadline may result in late-payment penalties and possibly suspension. (See "Late Payment Actions" below.)

Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) Fee

In addition to your license fee, per APR 15, the Supreme Court has ordered that all active members must pay a $13 assessment to the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection (LFCP). To avoid penalties, payment of this fee is due with your license fee by the February 3, 2003, deadline.

Late Payment Actions

To avoid penalties and possible suspension, we encourage you to pay your mandatory license fee (as well as the LFCP fee for active members) by the February 3, 2003, deadline. If these annual fees are not paid by March 3, 2003, a 20 percent late-payment penalty will be imposed on your license fee. After April 1, 2003, the late-payment penalty will be increased to 50 percent. If your license fee or penalty assessment (for all members) or LFCP fee (for active members) remains unpaid after May 1, 2003, the delinquency will be certified to the Supreme Court, which will enter an order of suspension from the practice of law. In order to be reinstated to your former status after suspension for nonpayment, you must pay double the amount of the combined license fee and penalty (triple the original license fee) and LFCP fee (for active members), as well as satisfy any outstanding MCLE compliance issues.

Address Changes

You can check your address in the WSBA database by going to the online lawyer directory on the WSBA Web site at http://pro.wsba.org/. If your address has changed, please notify the WSBA Service Center as soon as possible by e-mailing questions@wsba.org or faxing the change to 206-727-8319.

More Information

For more information, please see the WSBA Web site at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/, or contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA, 206-443-WSBA or questions@wsba.org.

MCLE Reporting

Group 2

Active WSBA members who are in reporting group 2 (active members admitted in 1976 through 1983; or in 1992, 1995, 1998 or 2001*) are reporting CLE credits this year for activities undertaken in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

*Newly Admitted Members

Newly admitted members are exempt from reporting CLE credits during their year of admission and the following calendar year. If you were admitted in 2001, you will not report this reporting period even though you are in group 2. You will first report at the end of 2005. (New admittees may earn CLE credits starting from their admission date, and those credits may be applied toward their first reporting period.)

CLE Compliance

If you are in reporting group 2, your C-2 compliance affidavit was due to the WSBA on February 3, 2003. If you are in group 2 and have not yet met your CLE requirements or submitted your C-2 compliance affidavit, you will receive an automatic four-month extension, but you must also pay a late fee. You must make up any needed credits before May 1, file the signed C-2, and pay the late fee. The late fee is $150 the first year, and then increases by $300 each consecutive reporting period that you file late (a reporting period is a three-year reporting cycle). For more information, see the WSBA Web site at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/faq-mcle-credits.htm.

Online MCLE Credit-Tracking System

Using the online MCLE Credit-Tracking System, you can do the following:

•  View your CLE courses and credits on your online attendance roster.

•  Make changes to your online attendance roster.

•  Search for approved courses.

•  Apply for course approval.

To enter the MCLE Credit-Tracking System, go to http://pro.wsba.org/ and click on the Member tab. Select Member Login, and follow the onscreen instructions. If you have questions, please contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA.

ABA Midyear Meeting

Seattle will be the host city for the American Bar Association's 64th Midyear Meeting. It will be held February 5-11 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. For program and registration information, see http://www.abanet.org/midyear/2003/home.html.

Western States Bar Conference

The 55th annual Western States Bar Conference will be held March 19-22 at the Sheraton Kauai at Poipu Beach. The conference includes bar associations from 17 western states. This year's agenda includes a session on negotiation techniques; an update on alternate dispute resolution; and panels on multijurisdictional practice, issues facing new lawyers, and access to justice. For conference registration information, contact Diane Minnich at 208-334-4500 or dminnich@isb.state.id.us. To contact the Sheraton Kauai, call 888-847-0208.

Lawyerpalooza

The first annual Lawyerpalooza will be February 10, 2003, at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The law firms Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, Preston Gates & Ellis, Perkins Coie, William Kastner & Gibbs, Riddell Williams, and Karr Tuttle Campbell will participate in a battle of the bands to raise money for elementary-school music programs in the Seattle School District. The cost of an advance ticket is $15; the cost at the door, $20. For further information, see http://www.lawyerpalooza.com/, or call Mike Nesteroff at 206-223-6242.

Web Site Links from Lawyer Directory

A link to your Web site can be added to your directory listing, so current and potential clients can find out more about you and your practice at the click of a button.

The fee is $75 annually ($50 if you sign up July 1 or later). If your firm has seven or more lawyers, you'll save through our special pricing structure. Special pricing is also available for those who work for nonprofit or government agencies. For more information and sign-up instructions, see www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/addlink.htm.

YMCA Mock Trial Seeks Volunteers

The state competitions for the YMCA Mock Trial Program will be held Friday, March 28, through Sunday, March 30, 2003, at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia. Volunteer raters are needed. For further information, please contact Mary Brown at wamocktrial@earthlink.net or 360-534-0155.

Keep in Touch

The WSBA uses e-mail to communicate with members quickly, efficiently and inexpensively, and increasingly it is becoming the preferred method of communication among committees and sections. Please consider providing us with your e-mail address. Contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA, 206-443-WSBA or questions@wsba.org. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Lincoln Day Banquet

The 95th annual Lincoln Day Banquet, sponsored by the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, will be held February 19 at the Tacoma Sheraton Hotel. Dinner will be at 7:00 p.m., preceded by no-host cocktails at 6:00. Keynote speaker will be Chief Justice Frank J. Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Justice Williams is a noted Lincoln scholar, author of the book Judging Lincoln, and owner of a vast collection of Lincoln memorabilia. For information about the banquet, phone 253-272-8871.

Newer Admittees Need Your Lawyering Skills

The WSBA's Lawyer-to-Lawyer Program matches newer admittees with experienced lawyers. Help new lawyers get a head start on learning those lawyering skills not found in any textbook. The program is not a structured mentoring program and does not supplant any similar programs of local or specialty bars. We connect lawyers with similar practices in the same geographic area for mutual information-sharing and goodwill. For more information, contact Pete Roberts at 206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org.

Law Week 2003

Law Week 2003 is an exciting opportunity for lawyers and judges to bring legal education into the classroom. Each year, Law Week provides an enriching experience to youth through positive interactions with lawyers and judges. Law Week 2003 will take place the week of April 28, coinciding with the nationally celebrated Law Day on May 1. To learn more about the program or to participate, visit www.wsba.org/media/publications/lawweek/ or contact Lisa Harper at 206-733-5944 or lisak@wsba.org.

Usury Rate

The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in January 2002 is 1.265 percent. The maximum allowable interest rate for February is therefore 12 percent. Compilations of the average coupon equivalent yields from past auctions of 26-week treasury bills and past maximum interest rates for June 1988-June 1999 appear on page 53 of the June 1999 Bar News.

Learn More about Case-Management Software

The WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) office maintains a computer for members to review software tools designed to maximize office efficiency. LOMAP staff are available to provide materials, answer questions and recommend options. To make an appointment, contact Pete Roberts at 206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org.

The WSBA Store Is Open

The WSBA online store is open at http://store.yahoo.com/wsbastore/. Purchase Cutter & Buck polo shirts, twill baseball caps, ball-point pens, and brass luggage tags emblazoned with the WSBA logo. The store features secure online credit-card ordering. You may purchase logo merchandise by calling the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA.

• Polo shirt (pewter or white, size L or XL) – $56

• Baseball cap (stone) – $24

• Ballpoint pen – $12

• Luggage tag – $7

Prices include shipping and handling. Sales tax (8.8 percent) will be added to orders shipped within Washington.

BOG Meetings

February 6 – Seattle

April 11-12 – Bellevue

May 9-10 – Spokane

With the exception of a one-hour executive session the morning of the first day, BOG meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Please contact Donna Sato at 206-727-8244 or donnas@wsba.org. The complete BOG schedule is available on the WSBA Web site at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm.

Local Hero Award Presented to Everett Attorney

Everett lawyer Deane W. Minor received the WSBA Local Hero Award at the December Board of Governors meeting. Mr. Minor is a family law practitioner known for his work in adoptions. Since the mid-1980s, Mr. Minor has volunteered with the Snohomish County Legal Services, and for the past several years, he has served on its board. His dedicated community service includes serving on the board of directors of the Everett Public Schools Foundation and the Everett School's Site Facilities Committee. In addition to giving presentations to local schools on legal subjects, he regularly allows students who are interested in becoming lawyers to "shadow" him for a day, so they can see what the practice of law is like. Mr. Minor is also an active and enthusiastic youth soccer coach who has on occasion coached more than one team at a time. He is a long-time member of the Everett Providence Foundation board, and has served on the board of Operation Improvement and the board of directors for his church.

17th Annual Goldmark Awards Luncheon

Friday, February 28, 2003; noon to 1:30 p.m.

Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle

The Charles A. Goldmark Award for Distinguished Service will be presented to Russell J. Speidel and the Chelan-Douglas County Bar Association at the Legal Foundation of Washington's annual luncheon on February 28. Seth P. Waxman, 41st U.S. solicitor general and partner at Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, will give the keynote speech.

_____ YES, I would like to honor the work of legal services by attending the luncheon. I will bring _____ additional guests ($40/person enclosed).

_____ YES, I would like to be a Goldmark donor ($100 enclosed). Two lunches will be provided and a contribution of $20 will help cover luncheon expenses.

_____ NO, I cannot attend the luncheon, but I would like to support the luncheon with a donation of $___________ .

Name(s):____________________________________________

_____ Indicate if vegetarian meal is preferred.

Show your support for access to justice by purchasing an individual ticket to the luncheon or accepting one of the other donation opportunities.

Please return the above information with your check payable to: Legal Foundation of Washington, 500 Union St., Ste. 545, Seattle, WA 98101; phone 206-624-2536, ext. 10; fax 206-382-3396; or visit http://www.legalfoundation.org/. The Legal Foundation of Washington is a 501(c)(3)-status institution.

Resources on Sale for Half Price

The 2002-2003 Resources membership directory is now on sale for half-price:

$9.00 – WSBA members ($9.79 in WA)

$18.00 – non-WSBA members ($19.58 in WA)

To order Resources, call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA, or mail a request to WSBA Order Processing, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330. Payment may be made by check (payable to WSBA), MasterCard or Visa, and must accompany your order.

Note: The 2003-2004 edition will be available in the spring.

Use Resources to Your Advantage

Would you like your name and/or firm listed under your area of practice in the yellow pages of the 2003-2004 edition of the WSBA's Resources annual directory?

Resources is used by thousands of lawyers, and the yellow pages are a valuable one-stop resource for all your legal-service needs. Find consultants, paralegals, contract attorneys, business appraisers and more.

The cost of a listing, which may include firm name, individual's name, address, phone, fax, e-mail and Web site, is $35. A toll-free number may be listed in addition to a general number.

To reserve your yellow-page listing in the 2003-2004 Resources directory, complete this form, enclose a $35 check payable to the WSBA, and mail by February 28 to:

Washington State Bar Association
Resources Yellow Pages
2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400
Seattle, WA 98121-2330

If you wish to be listed under more than one category, the cost is $35 for each listing. For more information, contact Allison Parker at 206-733-5932 or allisonp@wsba.org.

Firm/Individual Name ___________________________

Address ________________________________________

City/State/ZIP _________________________________

Phone _____________________________

Fax _______________________________

E-mail__________________________________________

Web site________________________________________

Category________________________________________

Creed of Professionalism

The WSBA now has an aspirational Creed of Professionalism. Developed by the Professionalism Committee with input from many members around the state, and approved by the Board of Governors, the creed's purpose is to "inspire and guide lawyers in the practice of law." The full text of the creed can be found on the WSBA Web site at www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/professionalism/Creed.htm.

Printed copies of the creed are available for purchase (we have made every effort to keep the cost as low as possible). Printing is in black and gold on heavy cream-colored paper. The creed is available unframed, or mounted on a mahogany-finish wooden plaque. It is our hope that Washington lawyers will display the creed proudly in their offices.

Creed suitable for framing:

@ $4 each (includes shipping) $__________

Creed mounted on a wooden plaque:

@ $20 each (includes shipping) $__________

If in Washington, add state sales tax @ 8.8% $_______

Total $__________

o check enclosed (payable to WSBA)

o MasterCard Visa

No. __________________________________________

Exp. date ___________

Name as it appears on card ___________________

Signature ____________________________________

Please send to:

Member and Community Relations
Washington State Bar Association
2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330

MasterCard and Visa orders may also be placed over the phone by calling the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA.

Name ___________________________________________

Address ________________________________________

City/State/ZIP__________________________________

WSBA office use only: 44200-COMM

date ________ check no. ________ amount ________