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August 2005FYISeeking Applications from Judicial Candidates Application deadline: September 16, 2005 The WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee is accepting applications from attorneys and judges seeking consideration for appointment to fill potential Washington Appellate and Supreme Court vacancies. Interested candidates will be interviewed by the committee in October 2005. The committee’s recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and then referred to the governor for review. If you are interested in scheduling an interview, please contact the WSBA at 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330 or call 206-727-8239. To obtain a questionnaire, e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Please specify whether you need the questionnaire designed for a judge or an attorney. Completed questionnaires must be received by the WSBA office by 5 p.m., Friday, September 16, 2005. Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on computer clinic for members wanting to learn more about what Microsoft Office programs — such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, as well as Adobe Acrobat 6.0 — can do for a lawyer. Are you a total beginner? No problem. The clinic teaches helpful tips you can use immediately. Computers are provided, and seating is limited to 20 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to noon on August 8 and September 12, 2005, at the WSBA office. For more information, contact Pete Roberts at 206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org. Immigration Attorney Ann Benson Cited for Achievement Seattle attorney Ann Benson has been named recipient of the Daniel Levy Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Immigration Law by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Ms. Benson, directing attorney for the Washington Defender Association’s Immigration Project in Seattle, received the award on June 22 at the AILA’s annual conference in Salt Lake City. Symposium on Judicial Selection and Independence The Seattle University School of Law will host a symposium on judicial selection and independence on November 11, 2005. Former Senator Slade Gorton and former Governor Gary Locke will co-chair this event, which will explore ways to protect judges from undue influence in elections, preserve the appearance of fairness in the judicial selection process, and enhance public confidence in Washington state’s judiciary. For more information, contact Alice Paine, executive director of the King County Bar Association, at 206-267-7100. Assistance for Law Students The WSBA Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) offers long- and short-term psychotherapy to third-year law students attending the University of Washington and Seattle University. Treatment is offered for depression, addiction, family and relationship issues, health issues, and other mental and emotional problems. The fee is based on a sliding scale ranging from no-cost to $30 and is determined by a student’s ability to pay. For more information about the LAP, call 206-727-8268 or visit our website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lap.htm. More LOMAP Events LOMAP hosts a meeting of contract lawyers the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will take place August 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the WSBA office. The upcoming dates for “LOMAP & Ethics … on the Road: The 2005 Traveling Seminar” are August 16 in Vancouver, August 17 in Montesano, and August 18 in Olympia. Registration is $79 and each seminar has been approved for four CLE credits, including two ethics credits. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733- 5914 or juliesa@wsba.org. Learn More About Case-Management Software The WSBA’s Law Office Management Assistance Program (LO Jim Bamberger Appointed Director of New State Office of Civil Legal Aid The Washington State Supreme Court has appointed long-time legal aid attorney Jim Bamberger as director of the state’s new Office of Civil Legal Aid. The office opened July 1, 2005, with the purpose of providing administration and oversight for civil legal-aid services in Washington state. Job Seekers Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The group discusses where to look for jobs, how to use your network of contacts, strategies for drafting résumés and cover letters, and how to keep yourself organized and motivated. Exchange information and ideas with other lawyers looking to make a change. For more information, contact Rebecca Nerison at 206-727-8269 or rebeccan@wsba.org. WSBA-CLE Thanks Members The WSBA CLE Department extends its sincere thanks to those who participated in this year’s Member Appreciation Summer Sale. The annual online event continues to expand and develop into an exciting member benefit. Be sure to check the WSBA Store (www.store.yahoo.com/wsbastore) and our online seminar calendar (www.wsba.org/cle/seminars/default.htm) regularly to catch our latest offerings. List Yourself in the Online ADR Provider Directory Sponsored by the WSBA Dispute Resolution Section, the ADR Provider Directory is an online attorney and citizen resource for locating appropriate alternative dispute-resolution service providers. If you are a provider, don’t miss the opportunity to be listed for the current year. The directory subscription year is January 1 to December 31, and fees are not prorated. The annual listing fee is $50 for members of the WSBA Dispute Resolution Section and $75 for nonmembers. To register online, go to www.adr-wa.com/directo Random Acts of Professionalism Program The WSBA Professionalism Committee has created a way for lawyers and judges to recognize their colleagues who have conducted themselves in a professional manner consistent with the Creed of Professionalism. Through the Random Acts of Professionalism Program, lawyers and judges may nominate their colleagues for the award. Nominating a lawyer or judge is easy: Simply send his or her name, along with a brief description of why you are nominating the person, to Judy Berrett, staff liaison to the Professionalism Committee, at judithb@wsba.org, or fax to 206-727-8319. That’s all there is to it! The nominee will receive a letter, a certificate, and a copy of the WSBA Creed of Professionalism. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings September 15-16 — Seattle With the exception of a one-hour executive session the morning of the first day, Board of Governors meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Please contact Donna Sato at 206-727-8244 or donnas@wsba.org. The complete Board of Governors meeting schedule is available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm. Governor Signs Court Funding Bill On May 13, Governor Christine Gregoire signed Senate Bill 5454 into law, which creates a dedicated revenue source for the purposes of meeting the state’s commitment to improving Washington trial courts, with the goal of providing adequate representation to criminal indigent defendants, civil legal services for indigent persons, and equal justice for all citizens of the state. Congratulations to the Washington State Supreme Court, the WSBA, the Office of Public Defense, and other stakeholders on this historic achievement for justice in Washington state. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in July 2005 was 3.429 percent. The maximum allowable interest rate for August is therefore 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publi WYLD Seeks Award Nominations The Washington Young Lawyers Division (WYLD) is accepting nominations for the Thomas Neville Pro Bono Award, Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, and the Professionalism Award. These awards recognize lawyers who embody the highest ideals of the legal profession. Nominations are also being accepted for Outstanding YLD Affiliate or Organization for recognition of public service and/or member-service programs. If you know of someone who deserves to be recognized, please visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/wyld/default.htm for details and nomination forms. Self-nominations will not be accepted. To be considered, a completed nomination form must accompany each nomination. Award recipients will be determined by the WYLD Board of Trustees at their August 27, 2005, meeting. Nomination forms must be received by August 12, 2005, and should be sent to Amy O’Donnell at the WSBA, 2101 Fourth Ave., Ste. 400, Seattle, WA 98121-2330, or e-mail amyo@wsba.org. Loren Miller Bar Association Holds Annual Scholarship Dinner The Loren Miller Bar Association (LMBA) held its annual Philip L. Burton Memorial Scholarship Dinner on June 3, 2005, at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. The event raises funds for law students who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing civil rights. Among the more than 300 guests in attendance were Governor Christine Gregoire, WSBA President Ronald R. Ward, former Sonics Coach Lenny Wilkins, and San Diego District Attorney Kamala D. Harris, who delivered the keynote address. The event honored lawyers Karen W. Murray and Bonnie Glenn with the Excellence in the Practice of Law Award, past-WSBA President David Savage received the President’s Award, and the Honorable Franklin Burgess was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2005-2006 LMBA Board members were also announced, and a complete list can be found at www.lmba.net. To view and purchase event photos, please visit www.pictureman.us (password is “LMBA”). Congratulations to the Dinner Planning Committee, and thanks to all who attended and made this event a success. WSBA Member Rhonda J. Brown Receives ABA Award University Place attorney Rhonda J. Brown received the American Bar Association’s (ABA) 2005 Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights. This prestigious national award, named after a devoted leader and advocate of disability rights, is presented to an individual who, or an organization that, has performed exemplary service in furthering the rights, dignity, and access to justice for people with disabilities. ABA President Robert Grey will present the award to Ms. Brown at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on August 8. Senior Attorneys Discussion Group — A Matter of Connection The group is meeting on a quarterly basis this year. If you’re interested in an early-September meeting, please contact Jenny Favell at 206-727-8267. Fran Chapple Receives WSPA Paralegal Lifetime Achievement Award The Washington State Paralegal Association (WSPA) has named Fran Chapple as the first recipient of its Paralegal Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes Ms. Chapple’s longstanding commitment to the paralegal profession and her 30 years of leadership in numerous positions within the WSPA. Ms. Chapple is currently employed as a judicial assistant and courtroom deputy at the U.S. District Court in Yakima. ABA National Conference for the Minority Lawyer — A Big Hit in Seattle On June 23-24, more than 350 attorneys from around the country arrived in Seattle for the Seventh Annual American Bar Association National Conference for the Minority Lawyer. Conference attendees were warmly welcomed with a reception Wednesday evening at Perkins Coie, hosted in collaboration with Wayne Michigami of Starbucks, Curtis Hom and Peter Ku of Microsoft, and James Williams of Perkins Coie. Workshops began the next morning with an intense debate on “Affirmative Action in Law Schools and the Legal Profession.” After the plenary, attendees selected from a variety of informative workshops, including “Diversity and Adversity within Diversity” and “Guidelines for Operating Minority and Women Owned Businesses.” The conference included a long list of prominent speakers, featuring national leaders as well as some from our local esteemed legal community. Paula Boggs, executive vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Starbucks, gave an inspirational keynote speech, educating the audience on how diversity can succeed and thrive in the corporate legal world. Friday workshops maintained Thursday’s high standard of excellence. Representative topics included “Shaping the Federal Judiciary: How We Can Change the Face of Justice in America” and “Getting Commercial in Indian Country: Contractual and Litigation Considerations.” WSBA President Ronald R. Ward inspired attorneys with some motivational words of wisdom at the Marketing Skills Luncheon. Washington lawyers on the Planning Committee were Joslyn Donlin, Gabriel Galanda, Jessie Harris, Jayanne Hino, Michael Parham, and J.D. Smith. The conference highlighted the importance of diversity in the workplace and legal community here in the Pacific Northwest to the rest of the nation. Hoop Dreams On May 18, the Seattle Lawyers Basketball League wrapped up its 20th anniversary season with the veteran Johnson & Associates (not a real law firm) squad beating the King County Prosecutors 67-58 for the 2005 season title. The Prosecutors had upset the top-seeded and — until the last regular season game — unde-feated Stanislaw-Ashbaugh team twice, but proved no match for Johnson & Associates’s superior ball-handling and Tenacious D. Participants of the 10th annual Access to Justice (ATJ) Conference, held June 3-5 in Bellevue, enjoyed a celebratory ambiance while collaborating with colleagues from around the state in the continuing effort to improve access to justice for low- and moderate-income people. Mark your calendars for the 2006 ATJ Conference, to be held June 9-11 in Yakima. To get on the conference brochure mailing list, contact Sharlene Steele at 206-727-8262 or sharlene@wsba.org. Photos courtesy of Dee Thierry and Jack and Michele Storms. |
