September 1999

Opportunities for Service

Service opportunities with WSBA committees, boards and organizations can be very rewarding. Please inquire and/or apply to the contact person specified in each announcement.

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 the 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 Elections

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 .

    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.  

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 of 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.  

ABA Accepting Award Nominations

Nomination deadline: April 4, 2003

The American Bar Association Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division is seeking nominations for three awards designed to recognize the extraordinary achievements of public lawyers. The Hodson Award for Public Service, the Nelson Award for Outstanding Service to the ABA , and the Dorsey Award for Outstanding Public Defender or Legal Aid Lawyer will be awarded at the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco in August 2003. The Hodson Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments by a government or public-sector law office. The Nelson Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the ABA by an individual government or public-sector lawyer. The Dorsey Award honors an outstanding public defender or legal-aid lawyer. Nominations are due April 4. For more information, contact Theona Salmon at 202-662-1023 or salmont@staff.abanet.org, or see the Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division Web site at http://www.governmentlawyer.org/.  

2003 WSBA Award Nominations Sought

Each year, members of the Washington State Bar Association are asked to identify those members of our profession and the public who deserve the legal profession's recognition. Nominations are sought for the following awards:  

Award of Merit

This is the WSBA's highest honor. It was first given in 1957. In general, the Award of Merit is 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 given to individuals only — both lawyers and nonlawyers.  

President's Award

As the name implies, this award is given for special accomplishment or service to the WSBA during the term of the current president.  

Board of Governors' Award for Professionalism

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

This award is 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. The selection criterion is a significant contribution by a lawyer in government service to the legal profession, the system of justice, and the public.  

Excellence in Legal Journalism Award

This award recognizes that describing the context, facts and players involved in our system with fairness and sensitivity requires intelligence, knowledge, dedication and high skill levels. This award is given to a journalist and his organization who set the standard for relevance, clarity, accuracy and understanding in reporting.  

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 to the poor. This award is based on cumulative efforts, as opposed to a lawyer's or law firm's pro bono hours or financial contribution.  

Outstanding Judge Award

This award may be presented to a judge from any level of court. It is presented for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession.  

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.  

Affirmative Action Award

This award is made to a lawyer or law firm making a significant contribution to affirmative action in the employment of ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled in the legal profession within the state of Washington .  

Outstanding Elected Official in the Legislative Branch

This award is presented to an elected official for outstanding service to Washington residents, with special contributions to the legal profession. The recipient has demonstrated a commitment to justice beyond the usual call of duty.  

Lifetime Service

This is a special award given for a lifetime of service to the WSBA and the public.

    It is important to note that presentation of any WSBA award is made only when there are truly deserving recipients. Some years, no award is given in some categories. If you know of someone who fits the criteria set forth above, please send a letter of nomination and relevant information by May 1, 2003 . Send nominations to the WSBA Executive Director, Attn: Awards; 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400 , Seattle , WA 98121-2330 ; fax 206-727-8319; or e-mail oed@wsba.org.  

2003-2004 WSBA Application for Committee, Board and Panel Appointments

Appointment application forms have been mailed to all active WSBA members. The WSBA Board of Governors makes appointments based on these forms. Current members of committees, boards and panels who are interested in reappointment must submit an application each year. Please visit pro.wsba.org/forms/committeepref.asp to submit the form online. All applications must be received by March 30, 2003 . Please direct your questions to barleaders@wsba.org.

Other Opportunities for Service

The Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest from members interested in serving three-year terms on the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington and on the Board for Judicial Administration's Court Independence Response Team (CIRT) The Bench-Bar-Press Committee  fosters understanding and working relationships between judges, lawyers &  journalists. The CIRT Committee will be a forum for discussion and resolution of issues that arise between a court and the executive or legislative authority in the court's jurisdiction.

Back to table of contents >>





Last Modified: Friday, June 13, 2003

Contact Information
Disclaimer and Copyright Notice | Privacy Policy