December 1999
Board's Work
October 22-23, 1999
by Sherrie Bennett
Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Proposed Rules to Go to Supreme Court
The revamping of guardian ad litem court rules held the attention of governors at the WSBA Board of Governors meeting in Lynnwood on October 22-23, 1999. In a 7-3 vote, the Board approved changes to the current guardian ad litem rules, which will be forwarded to the state Supreme Court. Over the course of three board meetings the last year, the Board heard from a staggering variety of lawyers and judges, and the rules endured many revisions and much rethinking before final approval. The new proposed rules provide guidelines for timely written reports by GALs, clear requirements to provide documentation in reports, and a strong statement prohibiting ex parte communications with courts. The rules would also limit the authority of guardians ad litem who are not statutory parties to an action, and make "parenting evaluators" in custody disputes subject to GAL rules.
Long-Range Strategic Planning Goal "Point Governors" Selected
In an effort to move along the implementation of the 11 goals established by the Board as part of a long-range strategic planning process, the following governors have been selected as "point persons" to contact if you have input on the WSBA goals:
1) Governor Lindsay Thompson on the WSBA goal of "providing and improving services and benefits to members statewide in response to their needs and desires."
2) Governors John Powers, Jenny Durkan, Steve Henderson and President-elect Jan Eric Peterson on the WSBA goal of "conducting a public legal education program to broaden public knowledge about the law, the rule of law, and the role of lawyers and judges in the justice system."
3) Governors Daryl Graves and Victoria Vreeland on the WSBA goal of "improving the professional development of new lawyers."
4) Governor Steve Henderson and President Dick Eymann on the WSBA goal of "promoting civility and professionalism in the practice of law."
5) Governor Jim Deno on the WSBA goal of " addressing in an appropriate way members’ current concerns about external influences and market pressures that impact the delivery of legal and law-related services, such as unlicensed practice of law and multidisciplinary practice."
6) Governor Dick Manning on the continuing goal of "regulatory services which are responsible, accountable, timely and fair."
7) Governors Dale Carlisle and Dick Manning on the continuing goal of "continuing to provide leadership and support to programs and initiatives for the benefit of access to justice."
8) Governor Walt Krueger on the continuing goal of "being a leader in using and promoting technology for the benefit of members, the courts and the bar."
9) Governor Jenny Durkan on the continuing goal of "supporting the independence of the judiciary and appropriate court improvements."
10) Governor James Deno on the continuing goal of "promoting diversity and equality in the courts, the legal profession and the bar."
11) Governors Dale Carlisle and Steve Osborne on the continuing goal of "being fiscally responsible."
Way Paved for Electronic Meetings
The WSBA Bylaws were amended by the Board to read that "(a) meeting may be held by electronic means provided public notice of the meeting is posted on the WSBA website prior to the meeting. The notice shall include contact information for any person to arrange access to the meeting or record thereof."
Interested persons should contact the section chair or any committee for which they are interested in being put on a "notice list" for electronic meetings.
Reciprocity Becomes a Practical Realilty
On the heels of the state Supreme Court’s approval of a rule to permit lawyers from certain jurisdictions to be admitted to practice in Washington on the same terms that a Washington lawyer may be admitted in the other jurisdictions, comes the Board’s approval of recicprocity application forms and an application fee of $650 (the same amount charged to sit for the bar exam).
Appointments Galore
The Board appointed Richard Mitchell as a member of the Legislative Committee, and also appointed Rosemary Daszkiewicz as an ABA alternate delegate. Barry Bonnell was appointed as lay member on the Disciplinary Board.
New members appointed to the Law Examiners Committee include Dannette Allen, Lauri M. Boyd, Francesca D’Angelo, Mark Johnsen, Lisa Daeley Kelley, Doug Lambarth, Mark Lindsey, Paul McConnell, William Nielsen, Lee Tinney and Charles Vulliet.
New Special Disciplinary Counsel appointed by the Board include Kathleen Albrecht, Hugh Birgenheier, Sharon Brown, Paul Brummett, Anthony Butler, Joseph Calmes, Peter Camp, Michele Carney, Thomas Curtis, Laura Daviess-White, Michael Finney, Diane FitzGerald, Linda Gallagher, E. Pennock Gheen, Eugene Golden, Paul Griffiths, Jonathan Hatch, Daniel Heid, Katherine Hendricks, Elliott Johnson, John Junke, James Kenny, Robert Kiesz, Mathew Knopp, Robert Leick, Howard Marshack, Russell Mazzola, Douglas McBroom, Terrence McCauley, Robin Rock, Sally Savage, Michael Scaringi, Nadine Scott, Ronald Shirley, Richard Shultheis, Bartlette Stroupe and Joe Woolett.
New Hearings Officers include Steve Hale, Diehl Rettig and David Savage.
The Board appointed Gregory Morrison to the Law Office Management Assistance Program Committee, and also appointed Mark J. Fucile to the Rules of Professional Conduct Committee.
Young Lawyers’ GAAP Program Funded
The Board approved a $20,000 request from the Young Lawyers’ Division for the GAAP Program, designed to establish reduced-fee panels of attorneys to assist clients of modest means throughout the state.
Correction to October Board’s Work
Section (b)(3) of the Definition of the Practice of Law should refer to "lay representative," not "law representative."
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