November 2001

Thanking the 2000-01 Bar-Year Team

by Jan Michels
WSBA Executive Director
janm@wsba.org

October 1 is the WSBA "new year." I don’t want to say goodbye to the past year without a pause to notice and thank our 2000-01 bar-year team. WSBA governance is that of strong board/weak president. (This in no way reflects on the individual presidents, but rather is the model of governance that has been adopted.) The board thrives on the support, ideas and prodding of its many team members in committees, sections, specialty and local bars, and special task forces and study groups. Some special mentions are needed.

The 12-member Discipline 2000 Joint Task Force led by Justice Charles Johnson and Dick Manning revamped and improved the Rules for Lawyer Discipline (RLD), and is recommending that the RLDs be renamed the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct (ELC). Thank you, Discipline 2000.

King County Bar Association President Fred Noland prompted a review of Washington’s drug laws and treatment options. Thanks, Fred.

Bonnie Glen and Ray Gonzales, working with the WSBA Committee for Diversity, the minority bar associations, and the minority bar coalition, steered the BOG toward more representative governance as 16 at-large volunteer applicants offered their support for diversifying the board. Thanks to Bonnie, Ray, the WSBA Committee for Diversity, and minority bar leadership.

The 18 volunteers on the President’s Initiative Task Force implemented the "Proud to Be a Lawyer" feature on the WSBA Web site (www.wsba.org/lawyers/links/proud/), revived the lawyer-to-lawyer (mentorship) program, acknowledged local heroes, developed the Lawyer Myths Truths brochure, and launched "Legally Speaking," the twice-a-week legal special broadcast on KING-5 TV. Thanks, Jan Eric Peterson and all your friends and colleagues on the President’s Initiative Task Force.

Wayne Blair remained steadfast as a Bar leader in representing the best of the WSBA in the massive court-improvement initiative — Project 2001. Thanks again, Wayne, and thanks, Kirk Johns.

The WSBA Electronic Communications Committee’s (EC2) consistent energy devoted to technology brought a breakthrough toward getting case law online (coming in early 2002). Thanks, all.

The Future of the Profession Study Group, after a year of vigorous debate, brought multijurisdictional practice reforms to the board, and nixed multidisciplinary practice. Thanks, Tom Fain and the Future of the Profession Study Group for your tenacity.

And, like maintaining plumbing and wiring in your house, the hardworking Court Rules & Procedures Committee, Law Examiners Committee, Character & Fitness Committee, and the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection Committee held their focus on improving the practice of law, quality of new lawyers, and public appreciation of lawyers. Thanks, Dave Savage, Frank Slak, David Boerner, Tom Dreiling and your respective committee members.

The 14-member Disciplinary Board survived the heaviest caseload in its history as the remnants of the investigation backlog hit the public proceedings phase. Thanks, Stephen C. Smith and your capable board.

Thanks, Supreme Court, for working with the WSBA on how to deal with the nonlawyer practice of law.

And applause to Judge "Chip" Small, Michele Jones, and the Access to Justice Board for an eventful and proactive year. On behalf of those needing access to justice, with special note about the energy and enthusiasm of Don Horowitz to assure technology does not become a barrier, our sincere thanks.

Thanks to Judge Marlin Appelwick and Judith Billings, who, along with the Public Legal Education Council and countless volunteers in and beyond the legal community, promoted a significant citizen awareness of our democratic and justice concepts.

And thanks, Harry McCarthy and the WSBA Professionalism Committee, for the new Creed of Professionalism.

And last, thanks to the WSBA staff! Without your capable support and follow-through, even the best ideas could flounder.

With the help and support of members and Bar leaders we had a great 2000-01 year. Happy 2001-02 new year!

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