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November 2008WSBA Chief Hearing Officer The WSBA Board of Governors invites applications from members interested in serving as chief hearing officer (CHO) pursuant to Rule 2.5(f) of the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct. The CHO, with support from the Office of General Counsel, is responsible for assigning hearing officers to cases, monitoring and evaluating the performance of hearing officers, establishing and supervising hearing officer training, hearing pre-hearing motions when no hearing officer has been assigned, and performing other administrative duties necessary for an efficient and effective hearing system. Applicants should be familiar with the disciplinary system and have excellent legal reasoning skills, management aptitude, appellate practice experience, judicial bearing, an impartial demeanor, and a commitment to public service. Candidates with experience as a WSBA hearing officer will be given the strongest consideration. The position is on a one-year independent contractor basis, with compensation to be determined. Interested members should submit a letter of interest, signed Authorization to Release Confidential/Non-Public Information Form (available at www.wsba.org/info/forms.htm), references, and résumé to: Office of General Counsel, WSBA, 1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539 not later than January 15, 2009. Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in serving a three-year term on the Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee. The three-year term will commence upon appointment and run through December 31, 2011. A written expression of interest and résumé are also required in the event that the incumbent seeks reappointment. The Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee meets quarterly to set policies for appellate indigent-defense funding, approve legislative and rule requests, review budgetary matters, oversee new programs, and consider appeals of billing decisions. During the term of appointment, no appointee may: (a) provide indigent defense services except on a pro bono basis; (b) serve as an appellate judge or an appellate court employee; or (c) serve as a prosecutor or prosecutor employee. Committee members receive no compensation for their services as members of the Committee, but may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses in accordance with rules adopted by the Office of Financial Management. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Northwest Justice Project Board of Directors The Northwest Justice Project is a statewide not-for-profit law firm funded by the State of Washington and the federal Legal Services Corporation to provide free civil legal services to low-income people throughout Washington. The Northwest Justice Project needs to fill at least two positions on its Board of Directors. Board terms commence on January 1, 2008, and are usually for three years, although one or more appointments may fill a Board position with less than a full term. Incumbents are eligible for reappointment. Board members play an active role in setting program policy and assuring adequate oversight of program operations and must have a demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, the delivery of high-quality civil legal services to the poor. For more information, e-mail cesart@nwjustice.org or lisag@nwjustice.org. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Limited Practice Board The WSBA Board of Governors seeks two candidates for appointment to the Limited Practice Board, which oversees administration of, and compliance with, the Limited Practice Rule (APR 12) authorizing certain lay persons to select, prepare, and complete legal documents pertaining to the closing of real estate and personal-property transactions. The candidates' names will be submitted to the Washington State Supreme Court for appointment and will serve four-year terms commencing January 1, 2009. In keeping with the member requirements of APR 12, both positions must be filled by attorney members of the WSBA. Lawyers in the lending, real estate, title, and escrow industry are encouraged to apply. The Board generally meets every other month. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 4th Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Law Clerk Committee The Law Clerk Committee 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. A member in the Seattle area is sought to serve the remainder of a six-year term on the Committee. The term will commence upon appointment and is effective through September 30, 2009. The appointed member may then reapply for a full six-year term which begins October 1, 2009. The Committee is composed of both law-school graduates and those who completed the Law Clerk Program; a balance of experience is sought. Each Committee 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 Committee 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. To apply for appointment, submit a letter of application and résumé to: Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. Washington State Access to Justice Board The Washington State Access to Justice Board (ATJ Board) announces two vacancies: one for an existing term starting immediately upon appointment and ending May 2010; the other for a regular term beginning May 2009. At least one of these positions must be filled by a non-lawyer. Details about the positions and the work of the ATJ Board can be found online at www.wsba.org/atj. The Washington State Supreme Court established the Access to Justice Board in 1994 to assure equal access to the civil justice system for those facing economic and other significant barriers. The ATJ Board works to achieve this mission through the oversight of its State Plan for Delivery of Civil Legal Aid; coordinating and implementing statewide initiatives for improving access for unrepresented and underrepresented populations in Washington state; and building leadership, funding, and other support for equal access to the civil justice system. The ATJ Board consists of nine members, including up to two lay members, selected on the basis of a demonstrated commitment to, and familiarity with, access to justice issues. Board members may serve up to two three-year terms. The ATJ Board has approximately seven full-day meetings throughout the year in Seattle. Additionally, the Board has an annual retreat and meets at the annual Access to Justice Conference. Travel expenses are reimbursed. Responsibilities of ATJ Board members include attending Board meetings and the annual planning sessions; serving as liaison to at least one Board committee; and actively participating in Board initiatives. A demonstrated commitment to equal justice principles and an enthusiastic commitment to serve in equal justice community leadership are required, as are strong communication skills and an ability to see the "big picture." Courage, compassion, consideration, patience, humility, passion, and humor are all valuable traits in ATJ Board members. The ATJ Board strives to have a membership that reflects inclusion, diversity (including geographic diversity), and cross-cultural competence. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé, including a summary of qualifications, to: Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. For more information about the Access to Justice Board or this position, contact WSBA Justice Programs Manager Joan Fairbanks at 206-727-8282 or joanf@wsba.org, or visit www.wsba.org/atj. Seeking Questionnaires from Candidates for Judicial Appointments The WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee (JRC) is accepting questionnaires from attorneys and judges seeking consideration for appointment to fill potential Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals vacancies. Interested individuals will be interviewed by the Committee on the dates listed above. The JRC's recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and referred to the Governor for consideration when making judicial appointments. Materials must be received at the WSBA office by the deadline listed above. To obtain a questionnaire, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/judicialrecommendation or contact the WSBA at 206-727-8212 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8212, or barleaders@wsba.org. 2009 Licensing Information and Changes Verify your address in the online lawyer directory (http://pro.wsba.org) to ensure that you will receive the 2009 licensing forms. You are required to keep your contact information current; see Admission to Practice Rule 13. Licensing forms changes. In an effort to control costs and simplify renewal, the 2009 licensing forms have been condensed into one double-sided form or two forms for those reporting MCLE credits this year. One change to note: The form(s), which you should receive the first week of December, will arrive in a standard-size envelope. WSBA Bylaw Section II.E.1.b. on Armed Forces Fee Exemption provides for a license fee exemption for eligible members of the Armed Forces whose WSBA membership status is active. The WSBA will accept fee exemption requests from December 1, 2008, until March 2, 2009, for the 2009 licensing year. MCLE Certification for Group 2 (2006-2008) If you are an active WSBA member in MCLE Reporting Group 2 (2006–2008), you will receive your Continuing Legal Education Certification (C2/C3) forms in the license packet that you should receive the first week of December. The deadline for returning the C2/C3 form to the WSBA is February 2, 2009. Any C2/C3 forms delivered to the WSBA or postmarked after March 2, 2009, will be assessed a late fee. Members in Group 2 include active members who were admitted to the WSBA in 1976–1983, 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, or 2004. Members admitted in 2007 are also in Group 2 but are not due to report until the end of 2011. Their first reporting period will be 2009–2011; however, any credits earned on or after the day of admittance to the WSBA may be counted for compliance. The Continuing Legal Education Certification (C2/C3) form that you receive in your license packet is a declaration that lists all the MCLE Board-approved courses that were in your MCLE online profile for the 2006–2008 reporting period as of mid-October 2008. If you took other courses after mid-October, you can add these to the back of the C2/C3 form when you receive it. As an alternative, you may print out your online roster and attach it to the C2/C3 form; indicate that it is a correct listing of the courses you took for compliance. The C2/C3 form, not your online profile, is the official record of MCLE compliance. The original copy of the C2/C3 form must be returned to the WSBA to meet compliance requirements. All courses that you list on your C2/C3 form must be Washington MCLE-Board approved and have an Activity ID number. This number is listed in your online MCLE profile and is assigned at the time that the Form 1 for each course is input to the MCLE system. A "Certificate of Attendance" or other sponsor-provided certification will not be sufficient to receive course credit. If you have taken courses not yet approved by the MCLE Board, submit Form 1s for these courses immediately to ensure that they are approved before your C2/C3 is due. Each Form 1 application must include a full agenda for the course in order to receive credit. The agenda must have the start and end times for each session and each break. Because of high volumes from October through February, Form 1s submitted electronically (at http://pro.wsba.org) could take up to four weeks or more to process. Paper Form 1s may take up to six weeks or more to process. If you submit a paper Form 1, you will be notified by mail of its Activity ID number. If you are not able to meet the credit requirement by December 31, 2008, and need more time to complete your credits, you must submit a petition to the MCLE Board to request more time. There is no longer an automatic extension until May 1. You must give a complete explanation on the petition of the reason that you need an extension. A late fee will be assessed if you take any courses after December 31 that are needed for compliance or if your C2/C3 form is submitted late. If this is the first reporting period in which you will not meet MCLE compliance requirements, the late fee will be $150. The late fee increases by $300 for each consecutive reporting period you are late in meeting MCLE requirements. If you have questions about the Form 1 process or MCLE compliance, please contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722), or e-mail questions@wsba.org. CLE Bookstore Open at WSBA Offices in December The annual WSBA-CLE Bookstore will be open at the WSBA offices from December 15 through December 31 (excluding December 25 and 26). For sale at the bookstore will be a limited supply of selected recorded seminars with coursebooks, approved for MCLE A/V credit. (You may claim up to 15 total A/V credits for the current reporting period. All six ethics credits can be acquired using approved A/V self-study.) Watch your mail for a postcard in early December with hours of operation and other details, plus a 10 percent discount offer on your bookstore order. Nominations Sought for Public Education Award The Council on Public Legal Education (CPLE) is accepting nominations for its Flame of Democracy Award, given to an individual, organization, or program in Washington state that has made a significant contribution to increasing the public's understanding of law, the justice system, or government. The mission of the CPLE, a committee of the WSBA, is to promote public understanding of the law and civic rights and responsibilities. First presented in 2002 to the late journalist Richard Larsen, the award was established to highlight the important educational work being done by teachers, lawyers, judges, the media, and a variety of advocacy and community organizations and individuals. Other recipients have been the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for its school outreach program; the Northwest Justice Project for its self-help website; and the League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund, for its numerous efforts to strengthen citizen knowledge of and participation in government. Nominations, which are due December 1, 2008, should be made in the form of a letter (maximum 500 words) describing the nominee's work and how it addresses the mission of the CPLE. The letter also should include the name of a reference who can provide additional information about the nominee. Supporting materials may be submitted; please limit print materials to 10 pages and audio-visual materials to 30 minutes. Self-nominations are encouraged. All nominations will be kept confidential. Nominations should be addressed to: Pam Inglesby, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539. E-mail submissions are acceptable, and may be sent to pami@wsba.org. Further information about the CPLE may be found at www.wsba.org/ple. Monthly Lawyer Discussion Roundtable Hosted by the WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP), this roundtable is useful for meeting other members and WSBA Lawyer Services Department staff who will answer questions on ethics, practice, and substantive law. We meet the second Tuesday of the month from noon to 1:30 p.m. November 11 and December 9 are the next scheduled meeting dates. Walk-ins are welcome! The roundtable is held at the WSBA office. LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar Join us for the LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar November 4 in Oak Harbor and November 5 in Bellingham. The seminar includes these topics: safeguarding client property, required trust account records, minding your matters, and winding down: the golf course beckons. To register, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. LAP Solution of the Month: Procrastination Do you keep putting off certain tasks? Do you worry about work you're not doing? Procrastination can be hazardous to your professional and personal health. Try dividing the task up into small bites, then attack the first logical piece. If you'd like help breaking the procrastination habit, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. 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 November 10 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office 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. 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 next meeting is November 12 at the WSBA office. The group discusses where to look for jobs, how to grow 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. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. Bring your business cards and practice networking skills. For more information, call 206-727-8269, 800-945-9722, ext. 8269, or e-mail rebeccan@wsba.org. 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, or a lawyer and another professional. Either party to a dispute may initiate fee arbitration or mediation. Both programs are non-disciplinary, 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. 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. 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. 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 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 October 2008 was 1.122 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for November is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/¬publications/barnews/usury.htm. |
