Dedicated to Serving Members

M. Janice Michels, WSBA Executive Director

Let me introduce you to the people you see in this photo. They oversee the WSBA's operations. We are lawyers, accountants, therapists, educators, media experts, and administrators by education, training, and experience. Many of us are expert in more than one of these areas. We come together with the common goal of "elevating the profession," whether through policing conduct, educating, counseling, improving the law, or promoting the good things lawyers do. Each of the WSBA's nine departments has a mission statement in support of serving the profession, and each department director has a commitment to it.

Jan Michels, Executive Director

The executive director works with the Board of Governors and the WSBA staff to elevate the practice of law.

"I'm the touch point between the board, which functions like the WSBA's legislative branch, and the WSBA staff, which more parallels an executive branch. My job is to make sure Board policy is translated into staff action, and to assure staff input and fiscal analysis to policy development," says Jan.

Paula Littlewood, Deputy Executive Director

The deputy executive director coordinates and manages WSBA resources in the implementation of the annual operational plan.

"The WSBA is a dynamic organization with a multitude of functions under its umbrella. Ensuring that the various departments are coordinated in their efforts so we use member dues and volunteer time effectively and efficiently is what keeps me running from 8 to 5. There is never a dull moment keeping the right hand and left hand working together!" Paula says.

Judy Berrett, Director of Member and Community Relations

Bar Leaders Division — The Bar Leaders team supports Bar leadership programs (WSBA sections; WSBA committees; local, minority, and specialty bar associations; diversity programs; the Washington Young Lawyers Division); and tracks other groups' and associations' activities that interface with these leadership groups.

Communications Division — Communicating with members, the public, and the media in an effective, timely, and professional manner, using the appropriate communications methods is the overall goal of the Communications Division.

Justice Programs Division — By supporting access to justice and public legal education, the Justice Programs Division administers a core function of the WSBA in its efforts to ensure justice for all by making the justice system accessible, understandable, and accountable.

Service Center Division — The WSBA Service Center serves members and the public by responding to phone calls and e-mails in a professional, prompt, courteous, and thorough manner; and provides professional, courteous, and welcoming assistance to office visitors.

Judy says about the department: "Although the work of the Member and Community Relations Department is broad in scope, the common thread running through all that we do is service. From working with hundreds of volunteers through the Access to Justice Board, committees, sections, other bar associations, and the WYLD; managing programs, conferences, and events; designing and producing publications like Bar News; managing website content; and assisting thousands of callers and office visitors each month, we're privileged to serve WSBA members, the general public, and members of the news media."

Barbara Harper, Director of Lawyer Services

The Lawyer Services Department (LASD) serves members and protects the public by providing risk-management programs and services.

LaSD staff notes: "LaSD is a team effort providing a range of services to members. Our programs include Alternate Dispute Resolution, Fee Arbitration, the Ethics Line, the Law Office Management Assistance Program, and the Lawyers' Assistance Program. We are happy to consult by phone, in our WSBA offices, or to bring some of our services to members offsite."

Robert Levinson, Director of Information Technology (IT)

IT delivers smart, cost-effective, and timely solutions to meet the WSBA's technology needs. To do this, IT works collaboratively with other departments to understand the problem, define the solution, evaluate alternatives, and implement an appropriate solution. IT is an "inward facing" department — it serves the membership by supporting other Bar staff in pursuit of their departmental goals.

"Technology's job is to support the policy and mission of the WSBA with the most cost-effective and efficient use of technology. Technology supports communications, management, accounting, and remote access to the WSBA. We're always looking for innovative ways to assist the WSBA and its members," explains IT staff.

Julie Mass, Director of Finance and Administration

This central services department delivers high-quality service in an efficient, timely, and dependable way, to assist WSBA staff, WSBA members, and the public in meeting their objectives. The department also ensures that the WSBA operates in a fiscally responsible manner.

"The Finance and Administration Department provides various services to WSBA departments and members. We are the fiscal arm of the WSBA and are responsible for the WSBA's accounting system, budget, and financial statements. We provide audit services to members in the form of random audits and to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel in the form of 'for cause' audits related to grievances. We manage WSBA's facilities and conference rooms, and we provide copying and mailing services to staff, committees, and sections," is how Julie sees the department's role.

Joy McLean, Director of Lawyer Discipline

The Department of Lawyer Discipline investigates any alleged or apparent ethical misconduct or incapacity of a lawyer; administers a procedure of diversion (rehabilitation) for certain circumstances; prosecutes formal proceedings and appeals when a hearing is ordered; and requests Supreme Court imposition of reciprocal discipline.

Joy adds: "Knowing that a profession will dependably enforce professional standards on its own members greatly elevates the profession in the public's view."

Jean McElroy, Director of Regulatory Services

Regulatory Services provides timely and accurate support and information to bar applicants, members, limited license holders, committees, the WSBA, and the public, assisting them to meet requirements and achieve their goals. Regulatory Services administers the rules, regulations, and policies governing these services in a consistent and professional manner. The department also provides services in a manner that allows for respect for individuals and for differing abilities, both in those with whom we interact, and within the department and the WSBA.

As Jean sees it: "The Regulatory Services Department oversees the WSBA side of admissions, licensing, and mandatory CLE compliance, to ensure that the people practicing law in Washington have met established requirements for membership and licensing, and we strive to provide the best service possible. Good admissions, licensing, and continuing education policies, appropriately enforced, benefit our members and help to maintain public confidence in the legal profession."

Mark Sideman, Director of Continuing Legal Education

CLE serves the membership and legal profession through education. The department is guided by the principles of: a) supporting the overall goals of the WSBA, b) maintaining the fiscal viability of the WSBA-CLE Department, and c) continuing WSBA-CLE efforts as the innovator in legal education.

Mark and WSBA-CLE are "committed to education, customer service, and an economically self-supporting department, staying in the forefront of the members' needs."

Gail Stone, Director of Legislative Relations

The Legislative Department is there to assist the WSBA and its sections in effectively participating in the state legislative process.

Gail remarks: "As the professionals who work every day with the practical application of the Constitution and statutes, lawyers have a unique expertise that is invaluable to legislators as they develop, create, and change the law."

Bob Welden, Office of the General Counsel (OGC)

The General Counsel is legal counsel to the Board of Governors, the executive director, and other WSBA departments, and manages the legal affairs of the WSBA. The OGC also provides counsel and support for the Disciplinary Board; the Practice of Law Board; the Chief Hearing Officer and the Hearing Officer Selection Panel; and these WSBA committees — Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, Court Rules and Procedures, Amicus Brief, and Resolutions. The OGC also provides other legal counsel and support as needed, including providing a chief presiding officer at bar examinations.

"The lawyers and support staff in OGC are firmly committed to serving the legal profession and protecting the public. This is made possible by the dedicated service of the many volunteer lawyers and nonlawyers who serve on the committees and boards that we staff," explains Bob.

Executive Director Jan Michels can be contacted at janm@wsba.org.