July 2004

FYI: For Your Information

WSBA Board of Governors 2004 Election Results

Congratulations to new WSBA President-elect S. Brooke Taylor

At its June 11 board meeting, the WSBA Board of Governors elected Port Angeles attorney S. Brooke Taylor, president-elect, to serve as the WSBA's 115th president in 2005. Brooke will take office as president-elect at the close of the September 2004 annual business meeting, when President Dave Savage passes the gavel to Ron Ward.

"He leads by example, not just by words," wrote attorney Karen Gates Hildt in one of numerous letters written in support of Brooke's election. "His integrity is impeccable, his courtesy in the face of adversity always unfailing, and his diligence in meeting his commitments unsurpassed."

7th–Central District
The certified election results from the May 20 ballot-counting name Lonnie Davis as the new governor-elect for the 7th-Central District.

4th District
Since there was no candidate with a majority vote at the May 20 ballot-counting, a run-off election in the 4th District between Terry Abeyta and Stanley Bastian was held.

The certified run-off election results from the June 10 ballot-counting name Stanley A. Bastian as the new governor-elect for the 4th District.

9th District
James E. Baker (unopposed) is governor-elect for the 9th District.

At-large (A)
On June 11, Marcine Anderson was elected governor-elect at-large by the Board of Governors in accordance with WSBA Bylaws Article III, Section M, Election of At-large Governors.

Each new governor will take office at the close of the annual meeting of the WSBA on September 16, 2004, and hold office for a term of three years thereafter, until September 2007.

Fulbright Scholar Grants Available for 2005-06
Application deadline: August 1, 2004

The Fulbright Scholar Program is offering a number of lecturing, research, and lecturing/research awards in law for the 2005-2006 academic year. Awards range from two months to an academic year. Foreign-language skills are needed in some countries, but most lecturing assignments are in English. For information, see www.cies.org, or contact the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden St. NW, Ste. 5L, Washington, DC 20008; phone: 202-686-7877; e-mail: apprequest@cies.iie.org.

CLE Publications Presents This Year's Member Appreciation Summer Sale

From July 19 through noon on July 30, shop the WSBA-CLE Online Store for great discounts on audio seminars, coursebooks, and deskbooks. Stock up on A/V credits for your MCLE reporting and shore up your practice library. Choose from dozens of titles on sale, in a variety of practice areas, at substantial discounts. Visit http://store.yahoo.com/wsbastore — beginning July 19.

WYLD Seeks Award Nominations
Deadline July 30, 2004

The WYLD is accepting nominations for the Thomas Neville Pro Bono Award, Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, and Professionalism Award. All three awards recognize lawyers who epitomize the best in the legal profession. Nominations are also being accepted for Outstanding YLD Affiliate or Organization, for recognition of public service and/or member-service programs.

If you know of a person or organization deserving of recognition, please visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/wyld for full details and a nomination form. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Please note that a completed nomination form must accompany each nomination to be considered.

Nominations must be received by July 30, 2004, and should be sent to Lisa Harper, WSBA, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121; or lisak@wsba.org.

Award recipients will be determined by the WYLD Board of Trustees at its August 21, 2004, meeting. Recipients will receive awards at presentations to be held in conjunction with events within their law firm and/or legal community.

WSBA Annual Awards Dinner and Business Meeting

The WSBA Annual Awards Dinner and Business Meeting will be held Thursday, September 16, at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. (no-host bar), and the dinner/program begins at 6:30 p.m. Early-bird registration by August 20 is $58 per person; registration by September 10 is $65 per person. All members of the legal community are invited. The registration form can be found on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/aaregform.pdf.

Proposed Amendments to Regulation 110 of APR 11 Before the Supreme Court

On March 8, 2004, proposed amendments to Regulation 110 of APR 11, approved by the MCLE Board and the WSBA Board of Governors, were sent to the Washington State Supreme Court for approval. The proposed amendments to this regulation clarify the basis for the granting of exemptions, waivers, or modifications of the CLE requirements by the MCLE Board. They also include a new section (f) to specifically address the application of the requirements to active members of the Bar who are on active military duty.

Washington Civil Trial and Evidence Manual Released

The fifth edition of the WSBA Litigation Section's Washington Civil Trial and Evidence Manual was released on June 18, 2004 at the section's midyear meeting in Seattle. This is the first new edition in 10 years. Editor-in-chief John Ray Nelson notes in the foreword that this all-new edition "still reflects the bulk of George Bassett's work in the original, as well as the simple brilliance of his open-book alphabetical organization (designed so that an attorney can find the law on an evidence issue during trial without having to already know the rule number)." For information on how to order the manual, please contact order fulfillment at 206-727-8278 or orders@wsba.org.

Therapy Group for Attorneys Struggling with Depression

The Lawyers' Assistance Program will offer a confidential therapy group for active WSBA members. We will meet Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m., beginning July 21, with sessions ending October 6, 2004. Cost will be on a sliding-scale basis. If you have questions or would like further information, please call Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at 206-727-8267.

Lawyers' Assistance Program Peer Counselor Statewide Network

We are attorneys who volunteer support to others who need someone to listen when times are tough. We are not professional mental-health counselors, but do receive training at our statewide conference in April and regional trainings throughout the year. We seek to expand the diversity we represent and offer to WSBA members. Would you have time and interest in listening, recognizing when a peer needs referral for additional support, attending a training session, educating the legal community about the healthy practice of law, and giving of yourself as your time allows? Please call Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., L.A.P., at 206-727-8267.

Senior Attorneys Discussion Group

We meet the third Thursday every month to talk about issues important to senior attorneys who continue to be involved, creative, healthy, and active. Join the Senior Attorneys Discussion Group for stimulating, social, sophisticated sojourns and cookies as our members share travel adventures on Thursday, July 15, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the WSBA office at 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle. Parking is available on the street nearby ($2 for two hours) or under the building. For more information, please contact Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., in the Lawyers' Assistance Program, at 206-727-8267.

Third-Party Liability Information

If your client is involved in a personal-injury case and has received or is receiving medical assistance (Medicaid) payments for medical care, you are required to contact the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). RCW 43.20B.060 places a lien against any settlement or judgment your client receives from a third party that is responsible for your client's injuries, in order to reimburse the medical bills that have been paid by Medicaid. Before settling your client's claim with the third party and/or the client's insurance company, please call the COB Casualty Unit of DSHS at 1-800-562-6136, or write to COB Casualty Unit, PO Box 45561, Olympia, WA 98504-5561, to supply the information that DSHS requires. Or view our website at http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/ltpr. Failure to pay any lien imposed by the department on any settlement or judgment obtained by your client can subject you to personal liability for any funds improperly distributed (RCW 43.20B.070).

Interest in Establishment of New State and Local Tax Section

This notice is posted pursuant to the WSBA Bylaws, Article IX, Sections, regarding a six-month prior notification of intent to establish a new section. There is a current effort to form a State and Local Tax Section. For additional information, please contact John Piper at 206-224-8045.

MCLE Certification for Group 1 (2002-2004) Due December 31, 2004

MCLE Reporting Group 1 members should be planning to complete all the credits for the 2002-2004 reporting period by December 31, 2004. A Continuing Legal Education Certification (C2) form, an affidavit that lists all the WSBA-approved courses that you took for compliance, will need to be filed. This form will be in the license packet that will be mailed to you at the beginning of December. The C2 form, not your online profile, is the official record of MCLE compliance. The C2 forms must be postmarked or delivered to the WSBA no later than March 1, 2005.

Members in Group 1 include active members who were admitted to the WSBA in all years through 1975, or in 1991, 1994, 1997, or 2000. Members admitted in 2003 are also in Group 1 but are not due to report until the end of 2007. Their first reporting period will be 2005-2007, but any credits earned on or after the day of admittance to the WSBA may be counted for compliance.

The credit requirements for the 2002-2004 period are at least 45 total credits of WSBA-approved CLE activities, which must include a minimum of 30 live credits and a minimum six ethics credits.

You can use the online MCLE system at http://pro.wsba.org to review courses taken and credits earned, apply for course approval, apply for writing credit or for prep-time credit, and search for approved courses being presented in the future.

To use the MCLE system, go to http://pro.wsba.org, click on the "Member" tab, then select "Member Login." The online instructions will lead you through the process of creating a confidential password and beginning to use the system. Online help files are available to assist you.

If you have any questions about using the MCLE system or about the MCLE compliance requirements, contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA, or questions@wsba.org.

Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings

July 30-31 — Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
September 16-17 — Seattle
October 22-23 — Richland

With the exception of a one-hour executive session the morning of the first day, Board of Governors 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 Board of Governors meeting schedule is available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm.

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