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July 2007Washington State Bar Foundation's Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) Advisory Committee Application deadline: July 10, 2007 The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking to fill one position to serve a three-year term on the Washington State Bar Foundation's Loan Repayment Assistance Program Advisory Committee. Applicants must be active members of the WSBA. This Washington State Bar Foundation committee has a mission to provide loan forgiveness to attorneys committed to working in the public interest, thereby helping to meet the legal needs of the people of Washington. One of the principal ongoing charges of the Advisory Committee will be to select qualified participants. For more information, see www.wsba.org/lawyers/lrap.htm. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539 or e-mail barleaders@ Commission on Judicial Conduct Application deadline: August 31, 2007 The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants interested in serving as an alternate member on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. One alternate position is available. The Commission reviews complaints of ethical misconduct against judicial officers, discusses the progress of investigations, and takes action to resolve complaints. The goal of the Commission is to maintain confidence and integrity in the judicial system by seeking to preserve both judicial independence and public accountability. The public interest requires a fair and reasonable process to address judicial misconduct or disability, separate from the judicial appeals system that allows individual litigants to appeal legal errors. The Commission consists of 11 members who serve four-year terms — six nonlawyer citizens, three judges, and two lawyers. Each member has an alternate whose term coincides with their corresponding member's term. The lawyers must be admitted to practice in Washington and are appointed by the WSBA. The term for this alternate position will commence immediately upon appointment and expire on July 16, 2008. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Further information on the Commission can be found at their website, www.cjc.state.wa.us, or by contacting them at 360-753-4585. WSBA Leadership Institute Seeks Fellows for 2008 The WSBA seeks applicants for the 2008 WSBA Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute recognizes that many lawyers, especially those from diverse backgrounds and other underrepresented groups, have not been traditionally recruited for leadership positions or made aware of opportunities for leadership training, skill development, and professional growth available through the WSBA. Ten to 12 attorneys in practice for three to 10 years will be carefully selected for the fourth year of the program. The program will take place January to August 2008. The program is a collaborative, experiential, and individualized curriculum that includes eight professional-development seminars. WSBA Leadership Institute fellows will benefit from the latest trends in professional leadership development; exposure to the legislative and judicial systems; interaction with high-level state and local officials and judges; and opportunities to meet high-profile attorneys from the private and public sectors. The program requires a two-year commitment. Following the completion of the first year, fellows are expected to serve on a WSBA section or committee, or bar-related activity. Fellows will earn a minimum of 30 CLE credits, and there is no charge to participants. To be considered for the program, applicants must: (1) complete an application with cover letter, résumé, and three references; (2) be an active WSBA member; (3) have practiced law in a U.S. jurisdiction for three to 10 years, i.e., any attorney who has been admitted in a U.S. jurisdiction between January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2005, meets this criterion; (4) be nominated by his/her employer, or if self-employed, by another individual; and (5) provide evidence of interest in community and WSBA activities. The deadline for applications for the 2008 Leadership Institute is September 15, 2007. Application and nomination forms and instructions are available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/-lawyers/leadership_institute.htm. For further information, contact Camille Campbell at camillec@wsba.org or 206-727-8213. WSBA Board of Governors 2007 Election Results Congratulations to new 2007-2008 WSBA President-elect Mark A. Johnson. Mark Johnson was unopposed for the office of president-elect (2007-2008) and will serve as the WSBA's 118th president in 2008-2009. Mr. Johnson will take office as president-elect for one year at the close of the September 20, 2007, annual business meeting, when President Ellen Conedera Dial passes the gavel to current President-Elect Stanley A. Bastian. Congratulations to the following WSBA governors-elect. The governors-elect will take office at the close of the WSBA annual meeting on September 20, 2007, and will hold office for a term of three years until September 2010. 2nd District: G. Geoffrey Gibbs, unop-posed, is governor-elect in the 2nd District. 7th-Central District: The certified election results from the May 21 ballot counting names Lori S. Haskell as governor-elect in the 7th-Central District. • Eligible voters: 3,098 9th District: Since there was no candidate with a majority vote at the May 21 ballot counting, a run-off election in the 9th District between Robert L. Beale and David S. Heller was held. • Eligible voters: 1,409 The certified run-off election results from the June 15 ballot counting names David S. Heller as the new governor-elect in the 9th District in accordance with WSBA Bylaws Article III, Section J. At-Large (A): On June 1, Brenda Williams was elected governor-elect at-large by the Board of Governors in accordance with WSBA Bylaws Article III, Section N: Election of At-large Governors. Third-Party Liability Information If your client is involved in a personal-injury case and has received or is receiving medical assistance (Medicaid) payments for their medical care, you are required to contact the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) if you are pursuing a recovery of damages for that injured client. RCW 43.20B.060 places a lien against the portion of the settlement or judgment your client receives for medical costs from a third party, which means also their own insurance coverage, that is responsible for your client's injuries in order to reimburse the medical bills that have been paid by Medicaid. Before settling your client's claim with the third party and/or their insurance company, please contact the Coordination of Benefits Casualty Unit of DSHS at 800-894-3754, or COB Casualty Unit, PO Box 45561, Olympia, WA 98504-5561 to supply the information that DSHS requires, or go to http://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/maa/ltpr. Failure to pay any lien imposed by the department on any settlement or judgment obtained by your client can subject you to personal liability for any funds improperly distributed (RCW 43.20B.070). Because of the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Arkansas Dept. of Health and Human Services v. Ahlborn, 547 U.S. 268, 126 S. Ct. 1752, 164 L. Ed. 2d 459 (2006), it is even more important for personal injury attorneys to contact the COB Casualty Unit to discuss with this office any action for damages you are bringing on behalf of a Medicaid recipient. WSBA-CLE Member Appreciation Summer Sale July 2-13, 2007: Sale Applies to Online Orders Only Visit www.wsbacle.org between 8 a.m. July 2 and noon on July 13 and enjoy "50/50" savings on selected WSBA-CLE recorded seminars and coursebooks: Audiotapes are being phased out, so close-out "Summer Sale" pricing on all audiotape-plus-coursebook sets is $50 per set (regular price $175). Selected CD-plus-coursebook sets are 50 percent off, or $90. Remember that 15 A/V credits can be earned from recorded seminars. "Summer Sale" prices are good for online purchases only, of selected inventory, while supplies last. Due to the high volume of orders anticipated during the sale, please allow four to six weeks for delivery. VotingForJudges.org Receives ABA Silver Gavel Award This year, the American Bar Association (ABA) selected www.votingforjudges.org to receive the Silver Gavel Award in the New Media Category. The website is a nonpartisan source of information on judicial elections in the state of Washington. The ABA has presented these prestigious awards since 1958 to recognize products in media and the arts published or presented during the preceding year that are exemplary in fostering the American public's understanding of law and the legal system. The Silver Gavel Award is the ABA's highest honor in recognition of this purpose. Eligible categories include books, newspapers, magazines, theatrical productions, television news/documentaries, television dramas, radio programs, film/video productions, and new media. ABA President Karen Mathis will present silver gavels to award honorees at a special program event on July 24 in Washington, D.C. Women of Color Empowered Honors Leaders On May 18, 2007, Women of Color Empowered presented awards to women who have made significant strides in business and their communities. Of the 12 honorees, three are WSBA members. Grace Chien is CEO of Girl Scouts-Totem Council, a member of the state Commission for National and Community Service, board chair-elect of the Executive Alliance, and treasurer of the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition. Zulema Hinojos-Fall is an administrative judge for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where she adjudicates employment-discrimination complaints of the federal work force. In 2001, she became the first woman of color to sit on the WSBA Board of Governors. In 2004, Hinojos-Fall received the Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Latina/o Bar -Association of Washington. Diankha Linear is an attorney with Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S. In 2004, she received the Loren Miller Bar Association's Excellence in the Practice of Law award for her community service. She is a past president of the Loren Miller Bar Association, president-elect of Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County, and in 2006 received the WSBA Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award. ABA YLD Awards Team Announces 2007 Sub-Grant Recipients The ABA YLD Awards Team recently announced and congratulated the sub-grant recipients for 2007. This year, Washington finished third in terms of total dollars awarded, for activities such as the WYLD's Expansion of the Greater Access and Assistance Program (GAAP) and the Clark County YLS's Young Lawyers vs. Senior Lawyers Softball Game and Family BBQ. "These grant funds from the ABA, ABA funding to their spring and fall conferences, coupled with their free training and 'out-of-the-box' programs, make clear that our involvement with the ABA returns invaluable dividends to the young lawyers of Washington," said John M. Brangwin, WYLD president. WYLD Seeks Award Nominations The WYLD is accepting nominations for the Thomas Neville Pro Bono Award, Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year, and the Professionalism Award. All three awards recognize lawyers who epitomize the best in 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 a young lawyer or organization that deserves to be recognized, visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/wyld for details and nomination form. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Please note that a completed nomination form must accompany each nomination to be considered. Nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2007. 2007 License Fee, Late Fees, and Suspension Information Contact information. It is always a good idea to check that the WSBA has your correct contact information in its database. APR 13.b states that address updates shall be provided to the WSBA within 10 days of a change. You can go to the online lawyer directory on the WSBA website at http://pro.wsba.org to check your listing. If your contact information has changed, please contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722), 206-443-WSBA (9722), or by e-mail at questions@wsba.org. Suspension recommendations sent to the Washington State Supreme Court. The WSBA sent to the Washington State Supreme Court a list of members who still had any portion of their license fee, late fees, or LFCP outstanding two months after the WSBA issued a presuspension notice (issued March 16, 2007). The Supreme Court has entered an order suspending these members from the practice of law in Washington. Trust Account Declaration, MCLE Certification, and other forms. A Trust Account Declaration (one was included in your licensing packet) must be completed by all active members, regardless of whether you actually have a trust account. Failure to file this form can result in disciplinary action. Also, Group 3 active members were required to complete a MCLE certification form. There may be other forms included from your licensing packet that you wish to complete and return, such as updating your contact information or reporting pro bono hours. More information. Full explanations of license fees, forms, policies, and deadlines are on the WSBA website at: www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/annuallicensing.htm. Also, the WSBA Service Center is available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 800-945-WSBA (9722), 206-443-WSBA (9722), or by e-mail at questions@wsba.org. Use Your MCLE Homepage to Find Approved CLEs To use this feature, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on "MCLE Web Site" in the upper left corner. On the next screen, click on the "Member" tab, then select "Member Login." The online instructions lead you through the process of creating a confidential password and using the system. After you log in, you are at your MCLE homepage. On your homepage, there is a box in the center with a heading banner "MCLE." Inside that box is a link that says "Search for approved upcoming CLE courses." Clicking this link brings you to a "Search Approved Activities" box. Enter the city and state in which you would like to find a CLE course. At the bottom of the box there are date fields called "Start Between … And." The dates default to the next 60 days. You can change the date in each field to any other date. To find a live webcast, input "Webcast" in the city field and change the state field to "Any." To find a teleconference, input "Teleconference" in the city field and change the state field to "Any." To find courses being given by a particular sponsor, type the sponsor's name in the "Sponsor" field. If you have any questions about using the MCLE system, online help is available. You can also call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722), or e-mail questions@wsba.org. 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, 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 15 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The next clinic will be held on July 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Please note the WSBA's new address: 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle. Problem Getting a Client to Pay? Dispute with another lawyer or an expert witness? The WSBA offers two programs to aid in the resolution of disputes involving lawyers. These programs serve both members and the public. The Fee Arbitration Program focuses on fee disputes between a lawyer and his or her client. To participate, both parties must agree to be bound by the arbitrator's decision. The Mediation Program provides a venue for parties to work together to resolve any dispute involving a lawyer, including those between a lawyer and a client, a lawyer and another lawyer, and a lawyer and another professional. Either party to a dispute may initiate fee arbitration or mediation. Both programs are nondisciplinary, voluntary, and confidential. For more information, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/adr.htm or call the ADR coordinator at 206-733-5923 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5923. Contract Lawyer Meeting Discuss the issues with other contract lawyers on July 10 from noon to 1:30 at the WSBA office. Bring your lunch — coffee is provided — and network with other contract lawyers. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Please note the WSBA's new address: 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle. Casemaker Access Casemaker is a powerful online research library provided free to WSBA members. To access Casemaker, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on the Casemaker logo on the right sidebar. Click on the Casemaker button to begin. For help using Casemaker, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org, or the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). LAP Solution of the Month: Grief and Loss Losses of all kinds trigger grief reactions. While these reactions are usually normal and predictable, they can easily overwhelm when you're already feeling stressed or anxious. Whether you've lost a loved one, a case, a job, a pet, or an aspect of your health, you'll probably experience grief to some degree. If you'd like a supportive ear, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268. Search WSBA Ethics Opinions Online Formal and informal WSBA ethics opinions are available online at http://pro/wsba.org/io/search.asp, or from a link on the WSBA homepage, www.wsba.org. You can search opinions by number, year issued, ethical rule, subject matter, or keyword. Ethics opinions are issued by the WSBA to assist members in interpreting their ethical obligations in specific circumstances. The opinions are the result of study and analysis in response to requests from WSBA members. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Facing an Ethical Dilemma? The WSBA Ethics Line can help members analyze a situation involving their own prospective conduct, apply the proper rules, and reach an ethically sound decision. Calls made to the Ethics Line are confidential, and most calls are returned within one business day. Any advice given is intended for the education of the inquirer and does not represent an official position of the WSBA. Call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Job Seekers Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join us at the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The July 11 meeting will feature a guest speaker who will discuss the world of the in-house corporate counsel. Practice your networking skills and exchange information and ideas with other lawyers looking to make a change. No fee or pre-registration. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. For more information, contact Rebecca Nerison, Ph.D., at 206-727-8269, 800-945-9722, ext. 8269, or rebeccan@wsba.org. LOMAP and Ethics on the Road: The 2007 Traveling Seminars Plan to attend in Moses Lake on August 7 or Wenatchee on August 8. Registration is $89, and each seminar has been approved for 4.0 ethics CLE credits. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945- 9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org, or visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lomap Speakers Available The WSBA Lawyers Assistance Program offers speakers for engagements at county, minority, or specialty bar associations, or other law-related organizations. Topics include stress management, life/work balance, and recognizing and handling problem-personality clients. Contact Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at 206-727-8267 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8267. Pipeline Project RFP Coming To encourage the development of programs that target groups that have been underrepresented in the legal profession, the Board of Governors has established a grant of $75,000 to fund the establishment of a "pipeline program" over a three-year period. A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued this summer. Those interested in receiving the RFP should contact Sarah Guthrie at sarahg@wsba.org. Help for Judges The WSBA Judges Assistance Program provides confidential assistance to judges experiencing personal or professional difficulties. Telephone or in-person sessions are available on a sliding-scale basis. For more information, call the program coordinator at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Learn More About Case-Management Software The WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) office maintains a computer for members to review software tools designed to maximize office efficiency. The LOMAP staff is available to provide materials, answer questions, and make recommendations. To make an appointment, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, or 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings July 27-28, Quincy • September 20-21, Seattle • October 26-27, Winthrop With the exception of the executive session, Board of Governors meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Contact Donna Sato at 206-727-8244, 800-945-9722, ext. 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. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in June 2007 was 4.991 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for July is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/usury.htm.
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