August 2001

FYI: For Your Information

We regret that Sarah Atwood's name was omitted from the Winter Bar Exam pass list published in the July issue of Bar News. We congratulate Ms. Atwood for passing the exam.

The Board of Governors unanimously elected unopposed candidate J. Richard Manning 2001-2002 WSBA president-elect. He will be WSBA president in 2002-2003.

New governors Robert Boggs, Carl Carlson, Bryce Dille and Jon Ostlund will take their seats at the WSBA Board of Governors (BOG) table beginning September 14, 2001. Ballots were counted at the WSBA office on June 19, 2001. Jon Ostlund was unopposed in the 2nd Congressional District. Robert Boggs was unopposed in the 4th Congressional District. Carl Carlson was unopposed in the 7th-Central Congressional District (formerly known as the 7th District).

Bryce Dille won the 9th Congressional District race with 199 votes. Stephanie Delaney received 89 votes. Twenty-seven (27) percent of the approximately 1,071 members of the 9th Congressional District returned their ballots.

Application deadline: August 31, 2001

The WSBA Board of Governors will nominate one member who is appointed by the Supreme Court to serve a two-year term on the Ethics Advisory Committee commencing November 1, 2001. The incumbent is eligible for reappointment and must also submit a letter of interest.

The committee is designated as the body to give advice with respect to the application of the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct to officials of the judicial branch as defined in Article 4 of the Washington Constitution, and shall from time to time submit to the Supreme Court recommendations for necessary or advisable changes in the Code of Judicial Conduct (GR 10).

Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to the WSBA, Office of the Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330, or e-mail oed@wsba.org.

The WSBA Character and Fitness Committee, Disciplinary Board, Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Committee, and State Board of Continuing Legal Education all include nonlawyer citizen members. The WSBA is always interested in member referrals of nonlawyers to these important committees and boards. Members may suggest individuals to their governor, or applicants may submit letters of application to the WSBA, Office of the Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330, or e-mail oed@wsba.org. Service on these boards is voluntary. Members are reimbursed for travel and related expenses; meetings are generally held at the WSBA office in Seattle; all appointments are for three-year terms.

•  Character and Fitness Committee: Conducts hearings on Bar applications where there is a significant question as to the applicant's moral character. Hearings typically involve review of criminal histories, record of academic discipline (cheating and plagiarism), and previous Bar discipline (for lawyer applicants). In addition, the committee considers petitions for reinstatement after disbarment. The committee generally meets two to four times a year on Saturdays.

•  Disciplinary Board: Reviews all recommendations for suspension or disbarment and is generally responsible for lawyer discipline. The board meets six times a year for full-day meetings. In addition, board members serve on three-person review committees which meet three to four times per year for full-day meetings to review investigation reports and requests for reconsideration of grievances dismissed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

•  Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Committee: Considers applications for reimbursement for the dishonest taking of funds or property by lawyers. The committee meets quarterly for half-day meetings.

•  State Board of Continuing Legal Education: Responsible for the accreditation of approved continuing legal education programs, and for enforcing required compliance by WSBA members. The board meets five to seven times per year for full-day meetings.

Nonlawyer citizen participation on these boards and committees enhances the WSBA's mission and credibility as a self-regulating agency. Citizen members consistently report that the experience is extremely interesting and enlightening, and enhances their understanding and appreciation of lawyers and the legal profession.

Would you like to recharge your approach to the practice of law? Are you considering a "second career" or a career other than the traditional practice of law? Take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore an optimum personal career path, discern your best interests, and clarify your choices.

Your Career Tune-up: What Every Lawyer Should Know to Maximize Career Satisfaction will be presented on September 13 at the Women's University Club in Seattle. The featured speakers are Carol Vecchio, executive director of the Centerpoint Institute for Life and Career Renewal; Dr. Carol G. Jung, Psy.D., consulting psychologist for The Executive Edge; and Karen J. Summerville, Legal Career Management.

To request a brochure, call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA. Register online at www.wsba.org/cle/seminars/.

King County Superior Court is seeking volunteers to serve as Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). Volunteers receive extensive training to represent children involved in custody and visitation disputes in family law cases. They conduct interviews, write reports, and testify in hearings or trials. For more information, contact Ed Greenleaf at 206-296-9320.

WestCoast Hotels, the WSBA and Legal Aid for Washington (LAW) Fund have created a partnership to raise funds for low-income legal services. Through the end of 2001, WestCoast Hotels will make donations to LAW Fund, based on the number of nights that anyone associated with the WSBA stays at any of the 47 Washington WestCoast Hotels. By simply asking for the WSBA rate, guests will receive a reduced room rate, and LAW Fund will receive $5 for each night's stay. Contact WestCoast Hotels at 800-325-4000.

Did you know that easy-to-understand pamphlets on a wide variety of legal topics are available from the WSBA? For a very low cost, you can provide your clients with helpful information. Pamphlets cover a wide range of topics:

Each topic is sold separately. Pamphlets are $9 for 25, $15 for 50, $20 for 75, and $25 for 100. Pricing for larger quantities is available on request.

Additionally, copies of The Law Book, a special supplement to the King County Journal Newspapers, are available. The 12-page tabloid includes articles by WSBA members on a wide range of topics. The cost is $20 for 100 copies.

To place your order or for more information, please contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA. Sales tax is applicable to all in-state orders.

The Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons (SCRAP) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing public defense services to residents of King County. A party was held at Seattle University School of Law on June 15, and was attended by many members of the legal community, including Washington Supreme Court Justices Bobbe Bridge and Faith Ireland.

On August 30, the Seattle University School of Law and St. James Cathedral will sponsor a Red Mass for members of the legal and legislative communities, a tradition dating back to 14th century England.

Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., president of Seattle University, will preside over the ceremonies and deliver the homily. The Red Mass will begin at 5:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral, located at 9th and Marion in downtown Seattle. Following the mass, a reception will be held at Sullivan Hall, home of the Seattle University School of Law. For additional information, please call Katy Huston at 206-296-6106. People of all faiths are welcome to attend.

The Discipline 2000 Task Force will meet Thursday, August 23 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office. The task force has been reviewing the Rules for Lawyer Discipline and will recommend revisions to the Board of Governors. For more information, contact Randy Beitel at 206-727-8257 or randyb@wsba.org.

The Legal Foundation of Washington is now accepting nominations for the 2002 Goldmark Award. The award will be presented as part of the 16th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon, Thursday, February 21, 2002.

The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to an exceptional individual or organization whose vision, leadership and creativity has provided meaningful access to the civil justice system in Washington.

Nomination forms may be obtained by calling the Legal Foundation of Washington at 206-624-2536, ext. 10; by e-mailing dtheories@legalfoundation.org; or by visiting http://www.legalfoundation.org/. Completed nomination forms, along with letters or documents to support the nomination, must be received by Friday, September 7, 2001.

The Aljoya Conference Center in Seattle will host a WSBA symposium September 20-21 to study the use of the Association of Legal Adminstrators' business skills curriculum for lawyers. For more information, contact Peter Roberts at peter@wsba.org or 206-727-8237.

The Board of Governors meeting schedule is as follows:

September 14-15 — WSBA office, Seattle

October 19-20 — Vancouver, WA

November 30-December 1 — Tacoma

With the exception of a one-hour executive session the morning of the first day, BOG meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required. Please contact Lori Lee at 206-727-8244 or oed@wsba.org.

Under the leadership of Ron Bemis, nearly 600 judges and lawyers reached almost 20,000 Washington students during Law Week. Many thanks to all who participated.

WSBA Legislative Liaison Gail Stone has developed a "Legislative Process Roadmap" which she supplied to all sections and committees. It is also available on the WSBA Web site at www.wsba.org/info/operations/legislative/legislative-roadmap.htm.

Back to table of contents >>