February 2002

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

Application deadline: May 15, 2002

The Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is seeking applicants to serve as WSBA president for the 2003-2004 term. Pursuant to Article IV(A)(2) of the WSBA bylaws, the primary place of business for the president must be the area east of the Cascade mountain range generally known as eastern Washington. The WSBA member selected to be president will have an opportunity to provide a significant contribution to the legal profession.

Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2002, 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. The Presidential Search Committee and the Board of Governors will consider endorsement letters received by May 31, 2002. Applications and endorsement letters should be sent to the WSBA, Office of the Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330.

Confidential interviews with the Presidential Search Committee will be conducted May 16-31, 2002 at the WSBA office. Direct contact with the governors is also encouraged. All candidates will have an interview with the full Board of Governors in open session at the June meeting. Following the interviews, the board will select the president.

Although prior experience on the WSBA's Board of Governors may be helpful, there is no requirement that one must have been a member of the Board of Governors or 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 2002, following selection. A one-year term as president-elect will begin at the annual business meeting in September 2002. The president-elect is expected to attend the two-day board meetings held approximately every five to six weeks, as well as numerous subcommittee, section, regional, national and local meetings. In September 2003, at the WSBA annual business meeting, the president-elect will assume the presidency of the WSBA. During his or her service, the president-elect and president will also be required to meet with members of the bar, courts, 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.

The duties and responsibilities of the president are set forth in the WSBA bylaws.

Presidential Search Committee: Victoria L. Vreeland, chair; Robert M. Boggs; Dale L. Carlisle; William D. Hyslop; Lucy Isaki; J. Richard Manning

Nomination deadline: March 1, 2002

Four positions on the WSBA Board of Governors will be up for election this year: the governors representing the 3rd, 6th, 7th-East* and 8th congressional districts. These positions are currently held by Stephen J. Henderson (3rd District), S. Brooke Taylor (6th District), Jenny A. Durkan (7th-East District) and Victoria L. Vreeland (8th District). (Note: The state's redistricting, which should be finalized in February, may alter WSBA governor districts for 2002 elections.)

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. Nominations are made by filing a petition signed by at least 20 active members of the WSBA entitled to vote in that district, along with a biographical statement of 100 words or less. Generally, a member is entitled to vote in the congressional district in which he or she resides. All out-of-state active WSBA members are eligible to vote in the district of the address of their agent within 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 WSBA, Office of the Executive Director, 2101 Fourth Ave., Fourth Fl., Seattle, WA 98121-2330; or by calling 206-727-8244. The WSBA executive director must receive petitions with accompanying biographical statements of 100 words or less by 5:00 p.m., March 1, 2002. 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 biographical statements from nominated candidates.

*The 7th congressional district is divided into three subdistricts: east, central and west. These subdistricts are distinguished by ZIP codes, and each has one elected governor. The east subdistrict (ZIP codes 98105, 98115, 98118, 98122, 98125, 98144, 98155 and 98178) will elect a new governor in 2002.

Application deadline: March 15, 2002

The Board of Governors of the WSBA is accepting letters of interest from members interested in serving on the ABA House of Delegates representing Washington. There are two positions available and one new position "pending ABA approval." A written expression of interest is also required for any incumbents seeking reappointment.

The control and administration of the ABA is vested in the House of Delegates, its policymaking body. The house, which has approximately 500 delegates, elects the ABA officers and board, and meets out of state twice a year. Delegate attendance is required. The WSBA's allowance is $500 per year per delegate. Members appointed to the House of Delegates serve a two-year term, which begins at the close of the annual meeting (August 2002).

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