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June 2009FYIPractice of Law Board — Four Positions Four positions on the Practice of Law Board are open effective October 2009. These appointments will be for a three-year term. All interested persons are encouraged to submit a résumé and letter of interest to the Practice of Law Board by July 3, 2009. The Board is established by General Rule 25. Nominations may be made by the WSBA Board of Governors and other people and organizations. GR 25 provides that the purpose of the Board is to: • promote expanded access to affordable and reliable legal and law-related services; The Board is composed of 13 members, at least four of whom shall be non-lawyers. The Board should represent the public interest in the delivery of legal services and should reflect the broad range of diversity of individuals who are part of or who use the legal system. Persons interested in seeking nomination by the Board of Governors for appointment to the Board should submit letters describing their background and qualifications for membership to the address shown below. Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to the Board's purposes as set out in GR 25. Members of the Board are not compensated for their services, but are reimbursed for necessary expenses consistent with the WSBA reimbursement policies. The Board sets its own meeting schedule, currently meeting the second Friday of each month. Please submit a letter of interest and a résumé no later than July 3, 2009, to: Practice of Law Board, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101. Further information is available at www.wsba.org/practiceoflawboard. If you have any questions, contact POL Board Administrator Julie Shankland at julies@wsba.org, 206-727-8280, or 800-945-9722, ext. 8280. Law Clerk Board The Law Clerk Board is a regulatory board composed of seven lawyers who are appointed for six-year terms. Members are appointed with consideration for the geographic distribution of the law clerks in the program. There are two positions available starting October 1, 2009; one position will serve primarily the Seattle area, and one the Bellingham/Northwestern Washington area. Preference will be given to applicants in these areas of the state. The Board is composed of both law-school graduates and those who completed the Law Clerk Program; a balance of experience is sought. Each Board member acts as liaison for an average of six law clerks enrolled in the program. Liaisons receive monthly exams and certificates to review and assess the law clerks' progress. At quarterly meetings, liaisons make recommendations to the Board on petitions of enrolled law clerks and on the admission of new law clerks and tutors to the program, as well as other issues. Screened applicants to the program are required to meet in person with a liaison, so liaisons must be willing to host meetings in their offices or travel to the potential tutors' offices. The time commitment is generally four to eight hours per month in addition to the quarterly six-hour meetings and possible special meetings and projects. Interested members should review APR 6 and the Regulations for the Law Clerk Program at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/apr6rulesandregulations.pdf. General information about the Law Clerk Program can be found at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/faq-rule6.htm. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539. Students and Amateurs Encouraged to Enter "Justice For All" Video Contest Help spread the word about the WSBA's YouTube contest! All Washington residents are invited to create a short video that captures their vision of "justice for all" and post it to the YouTube website. Amateur filmmakers and students of all ages are especially encouraged to enter, either individually or as a class project. Two prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded to the best contest entries — one selected by a panel of judges, and one selected by popular vote. The judges include Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, musician and media columnist Krist Novoselic, Yakima Herald-Republic Managing Editor Barbara Serrano, and Northwest Film Forum Director of Children's Programming Elizabeth Shepherd. Deadline for entries is June 15. For further information, see www.wsba.org/justiceforall.htm. 2009 Licensing Information and Changes Licensing suspensions. If any portion of your license fee or late fee remains unpaid, or if you are on Active status and haven't paid your Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection assessment or filed your A1 Licensing Form after two months' written notice of your delinquency, a recommendation for suspension has been submitted to the Supreme Court. Licensing forms changes. In an effort to control costs and simplify renewal, the 2009 licensing forms were condensed into one double-sided form or two forms for those reporting MCLE credits this year. The form(s) were mailed the first week of December in a standard-size envelope. Verify your address in the online lawyer directory (http://pro.wsba.org). You are required to keep your contact information current; see Admission to Practice Rule 13. "Foundations of American Democracy" Civics Pamphlet Available The WSBA offers a pamphlet for the public called "Foundations of American Democracy" that describes the basics of American government: the rule of law, the separation of powers, checks and balances, and a fair and impartial judiciary. It also includes a short quiz and a list of useful websites. Lawyers and judges are encouraged to bring the pamphlet with them when they speak to students or the public in schools, courtrooms, and the community. Teachers may also request the pamphlet for classroom use. The WSBA can provide reasonable numbers of copies at no charge, or the pamphlet may be downloaded from the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/foad.htm. Requests for copies should be directed to Pam Inglesby, WSBA public legal education manager, at pami@wsba.org. Monthly Lawyer Discussion Roundtable Get ideas and support from new colleagues and WSBA Lawyer Services Department staff who will answer questions on ethics, practice, and substantive law. The discussion group meets the second Tuesday of the month from noon to 1:30 p.m. June 9 is the next scheduled meeting date. Walk-ins are welcome! The roundtable is held at the WSBA office. Casemaker Online Research 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, juliesa@wsba.org, or call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). LOMAP Rate Changes The Board of Governors has approved changes to the billing rates for law office management consultation for the first time in 11 years. Effective August 1, 2009, the schedule will be: • Up to two years from date of your WSBA admittance: $40 per hour LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminars Join us in Marysville/Tulalip on June 10, Wenatchee on June 23, Yakima on June 24, Port Angeles on July 21, or Port Townsend on July 22. The cost is $99. Four credits are available, including some ethics credits. To register, call or e-mail Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on computer clinic for members. Learn what programs such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and 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 June 8 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office and will focus on using Word. The June 11 clinic will meet from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will focus on using Casemaker and other online research resources. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Facing an Ethical Dilemma? Members facing ethical dilemmas can talk with WSBA's professional responsibility counsel for informal guidance on analyzing a situation involving their own prospective ethical conduct under the RPCs. All calls are confidential. Any advice given is intended for the education of the inquirer and does not represent an official position of the WSBA. Every effort is made to return calls within two business days. Call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. LAP Solution of the Month: Worried? A little anxiety is a good thing — it motivates us to get things done. But too much can result in procrastination or paralysis, and you can get way behind before you know it. If anxiety is becoming a problem, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268, or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Weekly Job Finders Strategy and Support Group Unemployed? Discouraged — or trying not to be? We're taking names of lawyers interested in being on the wait list for a weekly meeting of lawyers looking for work. The focus of this group is on setting goals, accountability, and maintaining motivation. This is an opportunity to trade job-search advice and offer each other support in this difficult process. The group meets on Monday or Tuesday mornings from 10:30 to 11:45. Contact Dan Crystal, Psy.D., at 206-727-8267, 800-945-9722, ext. 8267, or danc@wsba.org if you are interested in this group or in other groups forming for senior lawyers and lawyers in transition. Job Seekers Monthly Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join us at this informational group that meets the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is June 10 at the WSBA office with guest speaker Robbin Block, an expert in social networking and marketing. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. Bring your business card (yes, you do need one). For more information, call 206-727-8269 or e-mail rebeccan@wsba.org. If you would like to attend the meeting by telephone, please RSVP by June 9. 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. Assistance for Law Students The Lawyers Assistance Program offers counseling to third-year law students attending Washington schools. Sessions are held in person or by phone. Treatment is confidential and available for depression, addiction, family and relationship issues, health problems, and emotional distress. A sliding-fee scale is offered ranging from $0–30, depending on ability to pay. Call 206-727-8268, 800-945-9722, ext. 8268, or visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lap.htm. 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) 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, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings 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 Margaret Shane at 206-727-8244, 800-945-9722, ext. 8244, or margarets@wsba.org. The complete Board of Governors meeting schedule and meeting materials are available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in May 2009 was 0.335 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for June is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/usury.htm. WSBA Professionalism Committee Tip of the Month If you put it in writing, it will probably live forever. In this day and age of giant computer memories and Internet access to documents, it pays to remember that it is likely that what you put in writing will live far beyond any time frame you may have intended, and distribution could also potentially be far beyond anything you had intended. So write e-mails, letters, and briefs with the thought that they will be seen again and again. And write as if they will be seen on a giant billboard on I-5 or I-90. Note The "Board's Work" column in the May 2009 Bar News should have stated that the list of WSBA employees' names, job titles, and salary ranges provided to a member did not include information on the executive director's position. Circle of Professionalism The WSBA Random Acts of Professionalism Award is given to recognize and encourage professionalism among the members of the Bar. The acts recognized, large and small, are as varied as the profession, but are always in keeping with the tenets in the Creed of Professionalism. Neither the Committee nor the WSBA Board of Governors explicitly endorses a selection; the award is simply from one professional to another. You are encouraged to look for the best among your peers and nominate them. The WSBA Professionalism Committee recommends programs to increase professionalism by assisting attorneys in fostering better client relations, improving civility among practicing attorneys, and developing a better public image. To learn more and to nominate your fellow lawyers, visit www.wsba.org/professionalism. Lori K. Smith Lori K. Smith, King County family law commissioner, was nominated for the Random Acts of Professionalism award. She was nominated for the professionalism she routinely demonstrates on the bench; she is respectful of both lawyers and litigants. In each case, Commissioner Smith goes to great lengths to explain the reasoning behind her decision. She says the parties are the most important audience in the courtroom and it is important that they feel heard, understand her decision, and believe the system worked. She also believes that in her role she can do a lot to diffuse the conflict between the parties that is inherent in almost all family law cases. Commissioner Smith credits the senior deputies when she was in the prosecutor's office as being good role models for courtroom professionalism — she learned to add to the calm, rather than add to the chaos. |
