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April 2008FYI WSBA Presidential Search The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the position of WSBA president for 2009–2010. Pursuant to Article IV (A)(2) of the WSBA Bylaws, the primary place of business of candidates for president for 2009–2010 must be Western Washington (non-King County). The WSBA member selected to be president will have an opportunity to provide a significant contribution to the legal profession. Applications for 2009–2010 WSBA president will be accepted through May 15, 2008, and should be limited to a current résumé, a concise application letter stating interest and qualifications, and no fewer than five or more than 10 references. The Board of Governors will consider endorsement letters received by May 23, 2008. Applications and endorsement letters should be sent to the WSBA Executive Director, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101. 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 2008 following selection. A one-year term as president-elect will begin at the Annual Business Meeting in September 2008. The president-elect is expected to attend the two-day board meetings held approximately every five to six weeks, as well as numerous subcommittee, section, regional, national, and local meetings. In September 2009, at the WSBA Annual Business Meeting, the president-elect will assume the position as president. During his or her service, the president-elect and president will also be required to meet with members of the Bar, the courts, the 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. WYLD President-elect and Trustee Applications Sought Young lawyers interested in serving on the WYLD Board of Trustees are invited to submit applications for the following positions: trustee, Greater Olympia District; trustee, King County District; trustee, North Central District; trustee, Northwest District; trustee, South Central District; trustee, Southeast District; president-elect, Washington state. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008. For detailed information and application instructions, please visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/wyld. American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in serving on the ABA House of Delegates representing the WSBA. Four positions will be available in August 2008. A written expression of interest and résumé are required for any incumbents seeking reappointment. The control and administration of the ABA are vested in the House of Delegates, the policy-making body of the ABA. The House, composed of approximately 550 delegates, elects the ABA officers and board, and meets out of state twice a year. Delegate attendance is required. The WSBA's allowance is $800 per year per delegate. Terms are two years, and members may serve a maximum of three consecutive terms. Those serving on the ABA House of Delegates must be ABA members in good standing throughout their terms. Submit a letter of interest and résumé to WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Law Clerk Committee — Two Positions The Law Clerk Committee is a regulatory board composed of seven lawyers who are appointed for six-year terms: Two members' terms are ending on September 30, 2008. Members are appointed with consideration for the geographic distribution of the law clerks in the program. The positions starting October 1, 2008, serve primarily the South Sound/Southwestern Washington and Spokane/Eastern Washington regions. Preference will be given to applicants in these areas of the state. The Committee is composed of both law school graduates and those who completed the Law Clerk Program; a balance of experience is sought. Each Committee member acts as liaison to an average of six law clerks enrolled in the program. A liaison receives monthly exams and certificates to review and assess the law clerks' progress. The Law Clerk Committee meets quarterly in February, May, August, and November. At the quarterly meetings, the liaison makes recommendations to the Committee on petitions of enrolled law clerks and on the admission of new law clerks and tutors to the program, as well as other issues. Screened applicants to the program are required to meet in person with a liaison, so the liaison must be willing to host a meeting in his or her office or travel to the potential tutor's office. The time commitment is generally four to eight hours per month in addition to the quarterly six-hour meetings and possible special meetings and projects. Please review APR 6 and the Regulations for the Law Clerk Program here. General information about the Law Clerk Program is available here. Members interested in participating on the Law Clerk Committee should submit a letter of application and résumé to: WSBA Regulatory Services, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; 206-239-2112 or 800-945-9722, ext. 2112. 2008 WSBA Awards Nominations Sought Each year, members of the WSBA are asked to identify those who deserve the legal profession's recognition and appreciation. Nominations are sought for the following awards: Award of Merit. First given in 1957, this is the WSBA's highest honor. The Award of Merit is most often given for long-term service to the Bar and/or the public, although it has also been presented in recognition of a single, extraordinary contribution or project. It is awarded to individuals only — both lawyers and nonlawyers. Professionalism Award. This honor is awarded to a member of the WSBA who exemplifies the spirit of professionalism in the practice of law. "Professionalism" is defined as the pursuit of a learned profession in the spirit of service to the public and in the sharing of values with other members of the profession. Angelo Petruss Award for Lawyers in Public Service. Named in honor of the late Angelo R. Petruss, a senior assistant attorney general who passed away during his term of service on the WSBA Board of Governors, this award is given to a lawyer in government service who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession, the justice system, and the public. Outstanding Judge Award. This award is presented for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession at any level of the court. Pro Bono Award. This award is presented to a lawyer, nonlawyer, law firm, or local bar association for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono services. This award is based on cumulative efforts, as opposed to a lawyer's or group's pro bono hours or financial contribution. Courageous Award. This award is presented to a lawyer who has displayed exceptional courage in the face of adversity, thus bringing credit to the legal profession. Excellence in Diversity Award. This award is made to a lawyer, law firm, or law-related group that has made a significant contribution to diversity in the legal profession's employment of ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and other persons of diversity. Outstanding Elected Official Award. This award is presented to an elected official for outstanding service, with special contributions to the legal profession. It is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to justice beyond the usual call of duty. Excellence in Legal Journalism Award. This award recognizes that describing the context, facts, and players involved in the legal system with fairness and sensitivity requires intelligence, knowledge, dedication, and skill. This award is given to the journalist and his/her organization that has set the standard for relevance, clarity, accuracy, and understanding in reporting. Lifetime Service Award. This is a special award given for a lifetime of service to the WSBA and the public. It is given only when there is someone especially deserving of this recognition. President's Award. The President's Award is given annually in recognition of special accomplishment or service to the WSBA during the term of the current president. Community Service Award. This award was created in 2006. Lawyers are known for giving generously of their time and talents in service to their communities. This award recognizes exceptional non-law-related volunteer work and community service. Norm Maleng Leadership Award. This award was created in 2007 and is given jointly by the WSBA and the Access to Justice Board, honoring Norm Maleng's legacy by recognizing those who embody the qualities that characterized his leadership. Award presentation. It is important to note that presentation of any WSBA award is made only when there is a truly deserving recipient. Some years, no award is given in some categories. Awards are limited to one recipient per category, except when a group of individuals earned the award together. Nomination submissions. If you know an individual who fits the criteria set forth above, please visit www.wsba.org and complete and submit the nomination form. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Please note that the completed nomination form must accompany each nomination in order to be considered. The deadline for Pro Bono Award and Norm Maleng Leadership Award nominations was March 31, 2008. The deadline for all other nominations is April 30, 2008. Please send nominations to: Washington State Bar Association, Attn: Annual Awards, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; fax: 206-727-8310; e-mail: greggh@wsba.org. The awards will be presented at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner in Seattle on September 18, 2008, with the following exceptions: The Pro Bono and Norm Maleng Leadership Awards will be presented at the Access to Justice/Bar Leaders Conference in Vancouver on June 7, and the Outstanding Judge Award will be presented at the Fall Judicial Conference. Seeking Questionnaires from Candidates for Judicial Appointments The WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee (JRC) is accepting questionnaires from attorneys and judges seeking consideration for appointment to fill potential Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals vacancies. Interested individuals will be interviewed by the Committee on the date listed above. The JRC's recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and referred to Governor Gregoire for consideration when making judicial appointments. Materials must be received at the WSBA office by the deadline listed above. To obtain a questionnaire, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/judicialrecommendation or contact the WSBA at 206-727-8212 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8212, or barleaders@wsba.org. Notice of Intent to Form a WSBA Civil Rights Law Section Petitions are now being circulated to form a new WSBA Civil Rights Law Section pursuant to Article IX of the WSBA Bylaws. This area of law falls within the purposes of the WSBA as provided in General Rule (GR) 12. There currently is no other section or WSBA entity whose primary focus is on civil rights law, other than the Civil Rights Committee. Whether the Board of Governors determines to continue or discontinue the Committee, the Section, supported by section member dues, would be in a stronger position to present CLE programs, publications, and work with other WSBA entities such as the Council on Public Legal Education, the Committee for Diversity, and others. A subcommittee of the WSBA Civil Rights Committee chaired by Patricia Paul, and including Tracy Flood, Molly Maloney, Sharon Payant, and Wilberforce Agyekum, will work on this during the required six-month waiting period. They intend to report to the Board of Governors with a recommendation not later than September 2008. For more information, please contact Ms. Paul at 360-230-2369, or e-mail patriciapauljd@msn.com. Intended jurisdiction: The Civil Rights Law Section would address concerns with all aspects of civil rights law in Washington within the parameters of GR 12. 2008 Licensing and Suspension Information Presuspension Notices Have Been Mailed. If you have not paid all of your license fees and late fees, or if you are on Active status and have not paid your Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection assessment or filed your Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure Form, please do so now. Failure to pay in full or to file the required insurance disclosure form will result in your suspension from the practice of law in Washington. To Pay/Confirm Online. License fee payments can be made using MasterCard or Visa and confirmed (10 days after payment was sent) online at http://pro.wsba.org. The system allows payments only for the full amount billed, i.e., no Keller deductions or status changes. To Mail in Forms and/or Payment. Send checks (with License Fee Form) in the white envelope from your license packet. Send credit-card payments (with License Fee Form) in the blue envelope from your license packet. Send forms (Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure, Mandatory Trust Account Declaration, Continuing Legal Education Certification, and any voluntary forms) in the blue envelope from your license packet. If you do not have the license packet envelopes, mail forms and payment to the WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539. Provide WSBA with Current Contact Information. Does the WSBA have your current contact information? APR 13(b) states lawyers shall provide address updates to the WSBA within 10 days after any change. APR 13(c) provides that lawyers should provide a current e-mail address to the WSBA. You can go to the online lawyer directory on the WSBA website at http://pro.wsba.org to check your listing. If your contact information has changed, please complete and return the Contact Information Change Form included in the license packet and available on the Annual Licensing webpage. Forms should be mailed to the WSBA, faxed to 206-727-8313, or e-mailed to questions@wsba.org. For More Information. Full explanations of license fees, forms, policies, and deadlines are on the WSBA website at: www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/annual APR 11 Amendments Published for Comment The amendments to Admission to Practice Rule (APR) 11 and Appendix APR 11, sent to the Supreme Court in June 2007, have been published for comment by the Court. The amendments and instructions for making comments can be found at www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.proposed. The comment period will close on April 30, 2008. The suggested amendments to APR 11 would: • Change the official title of the Board of Continuing Legal Education to the "Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board" or "MCLE Board"; A more detailed explanation of each amendment will be available on the WSBA website, on the MCLE Board's APR 11 Review Project 2007 page: www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/mcle/apr11review07.htm. MCLE Certification for Active Members Due Date for MCLE Reporting. WSBA members are divided into three MCLE reporting groups based on year of admission. (Newly admitted members are exempt. See "Newly Admitted Members" below.) • Group 1: Admitted through 1975, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, or 2006
Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
• At least 45 total credits of MCLE Board-approved CLE activities must be taken, which need to include a minimum of 30 live credits and six ethics credits. The courses must meet the requirements of APR 11, but they do not need to be taken in Washington state. Many courses are offered around the world which meet the requirements of APR 11. "Live" courses include classroom instruction, live webcasts (not pre-recorded webcasts), and teleconferences. "Ethics" courses, and segments of larger courses, must meet the requirements of APR 11 Regulation 101(n) or (o) to be considered for ethics credit. Carry-over CLE Credits. Carry-over credits from the previous reporting period may be used to meet the requirements of the current reporting period. If your current reporting period credits total exceeds 45, you may carry over a maximum combined total of 15 credits to your next reporting period. Only two ethics credits and five A/V credits may be carried over. C2/C3 Reporting Requirement. All active members due to report are required to file a Continuing Legal Education Certification (C2/C3) form listing all CLE courses taken for credit compliance. The deadline for filing your C2/C3 form is February 1 of the year following the end of your reporting period. Note: • Your online roster is not a substitute for filing the C2/C3 form. MCLE Late Fees. All active members who have not completed their credits by December 31 of the last year of their reporting period, or who submit their C2/C3 reporting forms after March 1 of the following year (the end of the grace period after the February 1 deadline), must pay a late fee. The late fee for the first reporting period of noncompliance is $150 and increases by $300 for each consecutive three-year reporting period of noncompliance. Newly Admitted Members. If you are a newly admitted member, you are exempt from reporting CLE credits for the year of your admission and the following calendar year. If you were admitted in 2006, you will not report for this reporting period (2005-2007) even though you are in Group 1. You will first report at the end of the 2008-2010 reporting period. Members admitted in 2007 will not report until the end of the 2009-2011 reporting period. When you report at the end of your first reporting period, you may claim all CLE credits earned on or after your date of admission to the WSBA. MCLE Comity. If you are an active member of the WSBA and your primary office for the practice of law is outside of Washington and if you are a member of the Oregon, Idaho, or Utah state bars (comity states), you may meet your Washington mandatory CLE requirements by providing proof of current MCLE compliance from your comity state bar. Only a Certificate of MCLE Compliance from your comity state bar (not a "Certificate of Good Standing"), sent with your WSBA C2/C3 form, will satisfy your MCLE requirements in Washington. MCLE System — Course Listing and Member Profiles. You can use the online MCLE system to: review courses taken and credits earned; apply for course approval; apply for writing credit, pro bono credit, or prep-time credit; and search for approved courses being offered. To use the MCLE system, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on "MCLE Web Site" in the upper left corner. On the next screen, click on the "Member" tab, then select "Member Login." The online instructions lead you through the process of creating a confidential password and using the system. Online help is available. If you have questions about using the MCLE system or about the MCLE compliance requirements, see the online FAQs at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/faq-mcle.htm, call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722), or e-mail ¬questions@wsba.org. New APR 11 Regulation 104(e) Requirements for In-House CLEs. Starting with the 2005–2007 reporting period, members are limited to a total of 15 credits of private-law-firm CLEs and 15 credits of corporate-legal-department CLEs in each reporting period, regardless of who the private legal sponsor was and regardless of whether the course was open or closed. There are no limits on the number of credits you may earn at CLEs sponsored by government agencies. These limitations are the result of amendments to APR 11 Regulation 104(e) adopted by the Supreme Court that went into effect on November 8, 2005. Residential Time Summary Report The Pattern Forms Committee approved changes to the Residential Time Summary Report, form WPF DR 01.0410. The effective date for the new form is April 1, 2008. To view and download the form, go to www.courts.wa.gov/forms. You can find the new form in the following areas: Divorce (Dissolution), Legal Separation, Declaration Concerning Validity of Marriage, Objection to Intended Relocation (Objecting party), and List of All Forms. Solo and Small Firm Conference in Wenatchee Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Solo and Small Firm Conference that will take place in Wenatchee on July 17–19. It features more than 20 speakers, including evidence author Karl Tegland, and the Honorable Charles W. Johnson, justice, Washington State Supreme Court, as keynote speaker. The conference offers at least 14 CLE credits for only $295 tuition. For details and online registration, go to www.wsbacle.org/seminars and enter seminar number 08555WEN in the search box. ADR Training Announcement — 2008 Fee Dispute Mediation Training Seminar The ADR Committee is pleased to announce the 2008 Fee Dispute Mediation Training Seminar. The training will be held at the WSBA office in Seattle, on Thursday, May 29, 2008, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The trainers include: professional responsibility counsel from the WSBA, speaking on the topic of ethics and ADR; Dispute Resolution/Ethics Program Coordinator Darlene Neumann, speaking on the topic of ADR Program history, objectives, and fees; and guest mediator Stephanie Bell, from the King County Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, speaking on the mediation process and its benefits, and the benefits of the WSBA Mediation Program for attorneys. The seminar also features a practical segment during which the speakers, in conjunction with ADR sub-committee members, will tackle the topics of pitfalls during mediation and dealing with difficult people during mediation. Please note that admission for the seminar is free, but seating is limited. Open registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. There are 2.75 CLE credits, including one ethics. For additional information or to register, contact Darlene Neumann at 206-733-5923 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5923, or darlenen@wsba.org. LAP Solution of the Month: Overwhelmed? It's easy to become overwhelmed by billable hour requirements, managing your practice, or the sheer volume of files piled in your office. Feeling overwhelmed can quickly turn into avoidance, then paralysis. If you would like some tips on handling overload, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Success Strategies Workshop The Success Strategies Workshops hands-on/how-to intensives will teach new-to-practice attorneys or more experienced attorneys the skills and processes to better manage their law practices in an ethical, effective, efficient, and profitable manner. Through a combination of teaching methods and experiences in a confidential workshop setting held at the WSBA office, law office management consultant Ann Guinn will assist attorneys in solo or small firms to develop and reach their career goals. Workshops will be held the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30–8:30 p.m. You may join during any month. Three MCLE-approved CLE credits are available for each workshop. For information or to pre-register, contact Ann Guinn at 253-946-1896 or anngp15@aol.com or Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at jenniferf@wsba.org or 206-727-8267 or 800-945-9722, ext 8267. Recovery Support Group for Lawyers The Lawyers Assistance Program is offering a new weekly group in Seattle for lawyers in their first three years of recovery from drug or alcohol dependency. The group meets on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Discussion topics include relapse prevention, improving relationships, work/life balance, and other themes chosen by the group. Coed. Sliding fee scale of $5–15 per session. Call Abby Smith, LAP addictions counselor, at 206-733-5988. Asian Bar Association of Washington to Host 20th Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Convention in Seattle in November 2008 The Asian Bar Association of Washington (ABAW) will host the 20th Annual National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Convention in Seattle on November 20–22, 2008. This event will mark NAPABA's first return to Seattle since ABAW hosted the convention in 1991. The 2008 theme is "Building on Our Legacy: 20 Years of NAPABA." More than 1,200 legal professionals and guests from around the country are expected to attend. For general information about the convention, contact Planning Committee Co-Chairs Benes Aldana (206-217-6401; benesaldana@comcast.net) or Marcine Anderson (206-296-0430; marcineanderson@comcast.net). Contract Lawyer Meeting Discuss the issues with other contract lawyers on April 8 from noon to 1:30 at the WSBA office. Bring your lunch — coffee is provided — and network with other contract lawyers. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Casemaker Online Research Casemaker is a powerful online research library provided free to WSBA members. To access Casemaker, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on the Casemaker logo on the right sidebar. Click on the Casemaker button to begin. For help using Casemaker, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org, or call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). Problem Getting a Client to Pay? Dispute with another lawyer or an expert witness? The WSBA offers two programs to aid in the resolution of disputes involving lawyers. These programs serve both members and the public. The Fee Arbitration Program focuses on fee disputes between a lawyer and his or her client. To participate, both parties must agree to be bound by the arbitrator's decision. The Mediation Program provides a venue for parties to work together to resolve any dispute involving a lawyer, including those between a lawyer and a client, a lawyer and another lawyer, or a lawyer and another professional. Either party to a dispute may initiate fee arbitration or mediation. Both programs are nondisciplinary, voluntary, and confidential. For more information, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/adr.htm or call the ADR coordinator at 206-733-5923 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5923. Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on computer clinic for members. Learn what programs such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat can do for a lawyer. Are you a total beginner? No problem. The clinic teaches helpful tips you can use immediately. Computers are provided, and seating is limited to 15 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The April 14 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office and will focus on using Windows, using a mouse, and making adjustments to the screen. The April 17 session will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will focus on Outlook and practice-management software. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Facing an Ethical Dilemma? The WSBA Ethics Line can help members analyze a situation involving their own prospective conduct, apply the proper rules, and reach an ethically sound decision. Calls made to the Ethics Line are confidential, and most calls are returned within one business day. Any advice given is intended for the education of the inquirer and does not represent an official position of the WSBA. Call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Learn More About Case-Management Software The WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) maintains a computer for members to review software tools designed to maximize office efficiency. The LOMAP staff is available to provide materials, answer questions, and make recommendations. To make an appointment, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, or 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Assistance for Law Students The Lawyers Assistance Program offers counseling to third-year law students attending Washington schools. Sessions are held in person or by phone. Treatment is confidential and available for depression, addiction, family and relationship issues, health problems, and emotional distress. A sliding-fee scale is offered ranging from $0–30, depending on ability to pay. Call 206-727-8268, or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268, or visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lap.htm. Search WSBA Ethics Opinions Online Formal and informal WSBA ethics opinions are available online at http://pro/wsba.org/io/search.asp, or from a link on the WSBA homepage, www.wsba.org. You can search opinions by number, year issued, ethical rule, subject matter, or keyword. Ethics opinions are issued by the WSBA to assist members in interpreting their ethical obligations in specific circumstances. The opinions are the result of study and analysis in response to requests from WSBA members. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Speakers Available The WSBA Lawyers Assistance Program offers speakers for engagements at county, minority, or specialty bar associations, or other law-related organizations. Topics include stress management, life/work balance, and recognizing and handling problem-personality clients. Contact Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at 206-727-8267 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8267. Job Seekers Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join us at the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is April 9 at the WSBA office. The group discusses where to look for jobs, how to grow your network of contacts, strategies for résumés and cover letters, and how to keep yourself organized and motivated. Exchange information and ideas with other lawyers looking to make a change. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. Bring your business cards and practice networking skills. For more information, call 206-727-8269 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8269, or e-mail rebeccan@wsba.org. Help for Judges The WSBA Judges Assistance Program provides confidential assistance to judges experiencing personal or professional difficulties. Telephone or in-person sessions are available on a sliding-scale basis. For more information, call the program coordinator at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings With the exception of the executive session, Board of Governors meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Contact WSBA Executive Director Paula Littlewood at 206-239-2120, 800-945-9722, ext. 2120, or paulal@wsba.org. The complete Board of Governors meeting schedule is available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in March 2008 was 1.852 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for April is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/usury.htm.
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