February 2000

Opportunities for Service

WSBA Presidential Search

The Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is seeking applicants to serve as President of WSBA for 2001 – 2002. Pursuant to Article IV(A)(2) of the WSBA bylaws, the President's primary place of business is that area west of the Cascade mountain range generally known as western Washington but outside of King County.

Applications for 2001 – 2002 President will be accepted through May 15, 2000, 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 selected references. Endorsement letters received by May 31, 2000 will be considered by the Selection Committee and the Board of Governors. Applications and endorsement letters should be sent to the WSBA Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330.

Interviews will be conducted May 16 – 31, 2000 at the Washington State Bar Association office. In addition to the interview in May before the Selection Committee, finalists will be invited back to the June Board of Governors meeting for an interview before the full Board of Governors, in open session. Direct contact with the Governors is within the discretion of the candidate and Governor contacted.

The Washington State Bar Association member selected to be the WSBA President will have an opportunity to provide a significant contribution to the legal profession. While prior experience on WSBA's Board of Governors may be helpful, there is no requirement to have been a member of the Board of Governors or to have 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 2000. The term as President-elect will begin at the Annual Business Meeting in September 2000. In September 2001, at the WSBA's Annual Business Meeting, the President-elect will assume the position as President of the Association. The candidate will be expected to attend two-day Board meetings every six weeks, as well as attend numerous subcommittee, section, regional, national and local meetings. During his or her service, the candidate 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, electronic mail and telephone in connection with these responsibilities.

Presidential Selection Committee:

Board of Governors Election Notice

Three positions on the WSBA Board of Governors will be up for election this year (Governors representing the 1st, 5th, and 7th West* Congressional Districts). These positions are currently held by Walter Krueger (1st District), John Powers (5th District), and J. Richard Manning (7th West, formerly known as one of two King County at Large).

The WSBA Bylaws provide that any member in good standing, except a member previously elected to the Board of Governors, may be nominated for the office of Governor from the Congressional District in which such member is entitled to vote by filing a petition signed by at least 20 active members of the WSBA then entitled to vote in that district. All out-of-state active WSBA members are now eligible to vote in the district of the address of their agent within the state of Washington for the purpose of receiving service of process as required by APR 5(e), or, if specifically designated to the Executive Director, within the district of their primary Washington practice.

Nominating petitions are available from the Office of the Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330; 206-727-8244; e-mail: OED@wsba.org. The Executive Director of the WSBA must receive petitions by 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2000. The Board of Governors determines the official dates of the election. Ballots are usually mailed around the first of June and counted approximately the first of July.

Note: The May issue of Bar News will include section with biographical statements of 100 words or less from all the nominated candidates. Those statements should accompany the nominating petitions.

Applications for Appointment to Legislative Committee

The Legislative Committee of the WSBA is seeking new members. The Committee meets once in October and again in November, usually for a full day. Depending on work load, the Committee may also meet in December and January. The Committee deals with proposals for legislation that relate to the improvement of justice. It also reviews proposed legislation of interest to the Bar and the judiciary, and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors on positions to be taken by the Bar Association. Additionally, the Committee maintains liaisons with sections and other committees in order to coordinate the legislative activities of the WSBA.

Anyone interested in being considered for an appointment to the Legislative Committee should submit a letter of interest and résumé to: Executive Director, Washington State Bar Association, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330. Materials must be submitted by March 31, 2000.

Applicants should include the following information in their submissions:

• Name
• Office address
• Nature of practice (including years in practice, size of firm and areas of expertise)
• Experience in legislative process
• Experience in state and local bar sections and committees
• Reason for interest in Legislative Committee

For more information, contact John Fattorini or Gail Stone at 360-943-9977; e-mail: legis@wsba.org.

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