March 2000

Mark Your Calendars for Celebration 2000!

by Richard C. Eymann
WSBA President

In October, the Washington Journal predicted that Celebration 2000 will be the largest legal gathering in state history. The reality of that prediction is here and now.

WSBA member and judiciary interest in Celebration 2000 has exploded even beyond our wildest hopes. Pre-registration numbers and hotel reservations are five times what we anticipated by the end of January. Why? To find out the answer and to be better equipped to write this month’s column, I asked a few pre-registered members why they would be attending.

"An incredible program of educational and social events — and for a base price of $195, it is the best deal I’ve ever seen for lawyers in my 27-year career." (Spokane lawyer)

"After 52 years of practicing law, I cannot miss this conference. It may be the last chance I have to see some of my friends, my opponents and all the judges. I applaud the Bar for putting this together. It’s long overdue."

"I’m an Access to Justice supporter, but rarely get a chance to talk to all these people who work so hard to provide legal services to the poor. I’m a corporate and banking law attorney, and this is a chance to attend a Bar conference and see my alma mater Gonzaga’s new law school building." (Olympia lawyer)

"I love golf, parties and good times, especially for $195. I’ve already booked my hotel room. I’ll bet you easily get 2,000 lawyers there." (Tacoma lawyer)

"As a judge, this is a rare opportunity to attend events with the lawyers outside the courthouse. I also really look forward to seeing oral arguments of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which I see is listed on the program."

"I’m bringing my family and we’re going to have a great time in Spokane. I remember the September weather as great, compared to where I live now. A lot of events on the program have caught my interest. It’s going to be hard to choose among some of them." (Hoquiam lawyer)

"As a paralegal, I’m excited to attend Celebration 2000 and finally see an all-day seminar designed specifically for paralegals and legal assistants on the east side of the state. It will be a fantastic opportunity to meet and network, as well as put faces with the names of people I’ve worked with and spoken to over the years." (Kennewick paralegal)

"The futurist program with Clay Jenkin-son as Thomas Jefferson — heck, I’d go just to see that. With all of the other things on the program, I’d be crazy to miss it, even if you have to come from as far as I do. I’m a Washingtonian practicing in California."

"$195, great hotel rates, and a chance to see a bunch of my law school friends — see you there!" (Bellingham lawyer)

"This is a unique chance for all who are dedicated to the legal system in this state, from Supreme Court justices to legal assistants, to join with one voice and celebrate the past and future of justice in our society." (Spokane lawyer)

"I’m going because Spokane has great golf courses and I’ll get to try a couple of them. Plus, I’m excited about the camaraderie this conference will engender." (Bellevue lawyer)

"I have really missed the annual WSBA convention. It’s about time we had one. Younger lawyers don’t know what they miss when we don’t have conventions." (Seattle lawyer)

"There is something, actually a lot, in Celebration 2000 for everyone. I’m coming early and probably staying through Sunday. I plan to spend at least 18 hours a day learning and having fun." (Yakima lawyer)

"Celebration 2000 presents a rare, perhaps first ever, opportunity for the Bench and Bar to learn together, celebrate together and champion justice together. I’m particularly pleased to see both state and federal judiciary playing such active roles in the conference." (Spokane lawyer)

There are probably hundreds more reasons why lawyers, judges and the rest of the legal community will be attending Celebration 2000, September 13-16, 2000 in Spokane. Certainly it is the first time since 1992 that your Bar Association has attempted to congregate all of its members in one place at one time. But as you will immediately see from the program, it incorporates three other conferences — Access to Justice, Bar Leaders, and the Annual Fall Judicial Conference. Our pre-registration letter last November received a tremendous response indicating that 1,200 lawyers, judges and legal support staff plan to attend — and we still have eight more months of registration to go. The excitement of the event is rising as fast as the anxiety over getting it all organized. Just take a look at the tentative program. It’s awesome!

Quoting Jan Michels, Executive Director of the WSBA, "It will afford the entire Bar and everyone connected to the legal profession with a chance to talk informally about the state of the legal community in Washington, and to learn first hand about the issues facing our system of justice, the judiciary and Access to Justice." Chief Justice Guy of the Washington Supreme Court said, "I really applaud this. I see it as a sign that the Washington State Bar Association has forsaken trying to be everything to everybody. Instead, it’s returning to its rightful place as the singular representative of all lawyers and special interest Bar Associations in this state. It is truly a broad effort to bring lawyers, judges and the entire legal community together."

So mark your calendars for September 13-16, 2000. Join your friends, colleagues, the judiciary and legal service providers in working together to champion justice. It will be a truly unique, productive and enjoyable event.

To register for Celebration 2000, please complete the form on pages 17-18.

Back to table of contents >>