|
|
|
 |  |
 |
 |
WSBA Info | |
|
For Lawyers | |
|
For the Public |  |
 |
For the Media |  |
|
CLE |  |
| | Bench Bar Guidelines | News Releases | Publications | |
|
|
June 2005FYI: For Your InformationSpokane Nonprofit Attorney Andrea Poplawski Receives Myra Bradwell Award The Gonzaga University School of Law Women's Law Caucus has presented its 13th Annual Myra Bradwell Award to Andrea Poplawski, a Gonzaga University Law School alumna and Spokane attorney dedicated to providing access to justice for low-income women and children. Poplawski is an attorney with the Center for Justice, a Spokane nonprofit law firm dedicated to helping low-income individuals access legal services. The award is presented annually to an outstanding alumna of Gonzaga Law School in honor of Myra Bradwell who, in 1872, was denied the right to practice law on the basis of gender. WSBA Sections to Contribute to Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program Several WSBA sections will be contributing money to the newly established Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Many thanks to the Administrative Law Section contributing $1,500, the Family Law Section giving $1,000, and the Labor and Employment Law Section donating $2,500. The LRAP was established last year to offer loan-repayment assistance for WSBA members in public- or legal-service jobs and will be administered through the Washington State Bar Foundation. The LRAP hopes to begin accepting applications later this year. Please check the WSBA website and Bar News for updates. Other groups interested in contributing may contact Paula Littlewood at 206-239-2120. IRS Announces Changes Affecting Insolvency Cases Effective June 13, 2005, the IRS will be assigning all Chapter 7 no-asset cases (filed after March 13, 2005) and post-confirmation Chapter 13 cases for Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, and parts of Northern California to the Philadelphia campus. Payments for these cases should be sent to P.O. Box 21125, Philadelphia, PA 19114. All other correspondence should be sent to P.O. Box 21126, Philadelphia, PA 19114. Payments for Chapter 11 cases should continue to be sent to the local offices. A call center has been established and can be reached at 800-913-9358 from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific time. For more information, contact Matt Armony at 503-326-6666. King County Bar Association Elects New Officers The King County Bar Association has elected new officers and members of the Board of Trustees for terms beginning July 1, 2005. Gary A. Maehara was elected president; John R. Ruhl, first vice president; Eileen M. Concannon, second vice president; James A. Andrus, treasurer; and J. Mark Weiss, secretary/trustee. New Central District trustees elected to three-year terms are Andrew W. Maron and L. Song Richardson; the South District trustee is Mark J. Hillman; and the new East District trustee is Loretta S. Story. CLE Publications Announces 2005 Member Appreciation Online Summer Sale Shop the WSBA-CLE online store beginning July 18 through July 29 for great discounts on audio seminars, coursebooks, and deskbooks. Stock up on A/V credits for your MCLE reporting and expand your practice library. Visit the online store at www.store.yahoo.com/wsbastore and choose from dozens of titles on sale — in a variety of practice areas — and at substantial discounts! Just Released — The 2003-2004 Case Law Update: Bankruptcy Case Law Digest for Washington State (3d ed.) WSBA-CLE Publications and the WSBA Creditor-Debtor Section proudly present the long-awaited 2003-2004 case law update to this valuable resource. This two-volume set with searchable CD contains summaries of bankruptcy cases (U.S. Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit BAP, 9th Circuit District Courts, and the Washington Bankruptcy Courts) from 1996 through 2004, with a linked topical index, case list, code, and rules. The Digest is published by the Creditor-Debtor Law Section and the WSBA. To order, go to www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/creditordebtor/bankruptcy_digest.htm or call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA. 2005 Bar Leaders and Access to Justice Conference The 10th annual Access to Justice Conference will be held in conjunction with the WSBA Bar Leaders Conference June 3-5, 2005, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bellevue. For more information or to receive a brochure, contact Sharlene Steele, 206-727-8262, sharlene@wsba.org (Access to Justice Conference); or Jerri Ninesling, 206-727-8239, jerrin@wsba.org (Bar Leaders Conference). The brochures are also on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org. 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, Ph.D., 206-727-8267. 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 non-members. To register online, go to www.adr-wa.com/directoryRegister-drPro.cfm. 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 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, PhD., at 206-727-8269 or rebeccan@wsba.org. Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on Computer Clinic for members wishing 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. Don't hesitate to try a clinic for help that you can use immediately in your practice. Computers are provided for your use, and seating is limited to 20 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The time is 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, July 11, at the WSBA. For more information, contact Pete Roberts at 206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in May 2005 was 3.177 percent. The maximum allowable interest rate for June is therefore 12 percent. Compilations of the average coupon equivalent yields from past auctions of 26-week treasury bills and past maximum interest rates for June 1988 to June 1999 appear on page 53 of the June 1999 Bar News. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/usury.htm. 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 to receive the award. Nominating a lawyer or judge for the award 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 nominated person will receive a letter, a certificate, and a copy of the WSBA Creed of Professionalism. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings June 2-3 — Bellevue 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. Keep in Touch The WSBA uses e-mail to communicate with members quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively, and increasingly it is becoming the preferred method of communication for committees and sections. If you haven't already, please consider providing us with your e-mail address. Contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA, or questions@wsba.org. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit the WSBA Online Store Go to www.wsba.org and click "WSBA Store" in the left navigation bar to purchase Cutter & Buck polo shirts, ballpoint pens, and brass luggage tags, all sporting the WSBA logo. The store offers secure online credit-card ordering. You can also purchase logo merchandise by calling the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA. Items available include: polo shirt (pewter or white, size L or XL) — $56; ballpoint pen — $12; luggage tag — $7. Prices include shipping and handling. Sales tax (8.8 percent) will be added to orders shipped within Washington. 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. LOMAP staff are available to provide materials, answer questions, and recommend options. To make an appointment, contact Pete Roberts at 206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org.
Prominent Seattle attorneys William Gates and James Ellis are featured in May issue of The American Lawyer as recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award. This is only the second time in its history The American Lawyer has awarded the honor, which Gates and Ellis received March 30 in a gala event at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement in the Law Award are leaders who contribute both professionally and personally to their community. Gates, now retired, is active as the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ellis made his mark as a stalwart civic activist in his efforts to provide for Seattle's citizens.
On May 9, the WSBA Professionalism Committee members (and father and daughter team) Stephen Henderson and Stephanie Henderson visited Shelton, where a Creed of Professionalism plaque presentation ceremony was held. Steve, a former member of the WSBA Board of Governors, said: "I pretty much started off my practice in Mason County and learned the ropes there for the first three years from 1975 to 1978. The day of the plaque ceremony was my 30th anniversary of being sworn in as a lawyer so it was special to do this event with my daughter." Stephanie, currently serving as a WYLD trustee, talked about how important the Creed is to the young lawyers as a symbol of appropriate behavior.
|
