December 2001

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.

Washington State Bar Association
2101 4th Ave., Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98121-2330

Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington
Application deadline: December 31, 2001

The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest from members interested in serving a three-year term on the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington (two positions). A written expression of interest is also required for any incumbent seeking re-appointment. The three-year term will commence on February 1, 2002.

The Bench-Bar-Press Committee was formed in 1963 to foster better understanding and working relationships between judges, lawyers and journalists. Its mission is to seek to accommodate, as much as possible, the tension between the constitutional values of free press and fair trial through educational events and relationship-building. The committee is chaired by the chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court and includes representatives from the legal profession, judiciary, law enforcement and news media. The committee meets as a whole once or twice each year. Subcommittees of volunteers are organized on an ad hoc basis to plan and execute events. Further information about member responsibilities is available upon request by e-mailing wendy.ferrell@courts.wa.gov.

Please submit letters of interest and résumés 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 is seeking member referrals of nonlawyer citizen members for the State Board of Continuing Legal Education. Members may suggest individuals to their governor, or interested persons 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 this board 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.

The board is 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.

District competitions for the YMCA Mock Trial Program will be held February 8-March 3, 2002, and the state competition will be held March 22-23. Volunteer raters are needed for all competitions. For specific county information, contact Jason Leggett at 360-534-0155 or jmleggett@earthlink.net.

Judicial Recommendation Committee

The WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee is currently accepting applications from attorneys and judges seeking consideration for appointment to fill potential appellate-court vacancies. Interested candidates will be interviewed by the committee at its February 8, 2002 meeting. The deadline for receipt of questionnaires by the WSBA is 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 4, 2002.

The committee's recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and then referred to Governor Locke for review when appointments are made to fill vacancies on the Washington Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. If you are interested in scheduling an interview, please contact the WSBA, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330; 206-727-8239; or jerrin@wsba.org to obtain a questionnaire. Please specify whether you need the questionnaire designed for a judge or an attorney.

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