November 2008

Exceeding Excellence

Outstanding Washingtonians recognized at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner

by Stephanie Perry

The following individuals were honored for their extraordinary service, accomplishments, and actions at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner on September 18, 2008.

Professionalism Award — awarded to a WSBA member who exemplifies the spirit of professionalism. “Professionalism” is defined as the pursuit of a learned profession in the spirit of service to the public and in the sharing of values with other members of the profession.

The Honorable Ronald M. Gould

Judge Ronald Gould is a past WSBA president, a former professor at the University of Washington School of Law, a board member of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society, and a member of the Supreme Court Historical Society. His currently serves on the executive board of the Chief Seattle Council of Boy Scouts of America. He formerly served on the Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, on the board of the Economic Development Council of King County, and as a trustee of Bellevue Community College.

“[Judge Gould] is recognized by all as a jurist who is unfailingly courteous, fair, thoroughly prepared on both the facts and the law, and whose adherence to the rule of law broaches no exception by either side in litigation,” wrote Judge Richard C. Tallman. “His personal courage, perseverance, and dedication to duty are truly inspiring.”

Angelo R. Petruss Award for Lawyers in Public Service — given to a lawyer in government service who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession, the justice system, and the public.

Jon E. Ostlund

Throughout his career, Jon Ostlund has contributed to his community through his involvement with many organizations. He was a board member of the Washington Defenders Association and the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and was a member of the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission, the Whatcom County Law and Justice Commission, and the Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence. He also served on the WSBA Board of Governors from 2001–2004. Ostlund devoted many hours to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Public Defense and as co-chair of the WSBA Committee on Public Defense. “Jon Ostlund is exemplary in his commitment as an attorney who understands basic human needs, the failures which confront those in desperate circumstances, and the importance of a just system of justice,” wrote Assistant Attorney General Wendy Bohlke.

Excellence in Diversity Award — given to a lawyer, law firm, or law-related group that has made a significant contribution to diversity in the legal profession’s employment of ethnic minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Marcine Anderson

Marcine Anderson has been an active participant on many WSBA boards and committees. She has served on the Committee of Bar Examiners, and while on the Board of Governors from 2004–2007, she served on the Board of Governors Committee for Diversity, the Budget and Audit Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Long-Range Planning and Technology Steering Committees. She currently serves as a board member of the WSBA Leadership Institute, and as a trustee and treasurer for the Washington State Bar Foundation. Anderson has also served on the banquet committee of the Japanese American Citizens’ League, and has volunteered at the International District Legal Clinic.

“[Anderson] has made a significant contribution to diversity in the legal profession by supporting and encouraging minority attorneys to reach for positions of leadership that provide the foundation for success as an attorney,” wrote Brenda Williams, current member of the WSBA Board of Governors and supervising attorney at the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic at the UW School of Law. “She provides a tangible example of majority bar leadership for members of the minority bars to emulate.”

Excellence in Legal Journalism Award — given to a journalist and his/her organization that has set the standard for relevance, clarity, accuracy, and understanding in reporting.

Jack Hamann

Jack Hamann, along with his wife, Leslie, as a researcher, wrote On American Soil: How Justice Became a Casualty of World War II, an investigation into details surrounding a 1944 riot and lynching at the U.S. Army’s Fort Lawton, located in Seattle. The incident received widespread attention at the time, and resulted in 43 African-American soldiers charged with various crimes and 28 soldiers sent to prison. The book uncovered deep flaws during the court-martial proceedings, prompting Congress to order the U.S. Army to reopen the case more than 60 years after its initial conclusion. Following its investigation, the U.S. Army Board for Correction of Military Records overturned the verdicts, and in July 2008, formally apologized to the soldiers’ families.

Outstanding Judge Award — for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession at any level of the court.

The Honorable Larry E. McKeeman

Judge Larry McKeeman is serving his third term as presiding judge of Snohomish County Superior Court. He has also served on the Children’s Justice Interdisciplinary Task Force, the Statewide Leadership Council on Adolescent Treatment, the Board for Judicial Administration, and currently serves on the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington. He was chair of and is a member of the court’s Drug Treatment Court Committee. He is currently a member of the County Law and Justice Council and on the Best Practices Committee of the Superior Court Judges’ Association.

Judge McKeeman initiated Snohomish County’s At Risk Youth Drug Treatment Court (ARYDTC), and presided over that court from 2001–2006. He credits much of the success of ARYDTC to his wife, Cynthia, and their two children, for their patience and support in allowing him the opportunity to pursue the creation and implementation of the program.

“Judge McKeeman goes the extra mile on and off the bench,” wrote Seattle attorney Lisa Moore in her nomination letter. “After 17 years on the bench, he continues to maintain the highest of judicial standards that benefit not only the citizens of the State of Washington, but all bar members and the issues they bring before him.”

Community Service Award — this award recognizes exceptional non-law-related volunteer work and community service.

Lori K. Rath

Lori Rath is an active and dedicated supporter of CASA Latina, a nonprofit organization that provides employment and educational opportunities to immigrants in Seattle. She has been a member of the CASA Latina Board of Directors for six years, and is currently vice president of the board. She is chair of the board’s Human Resources and Fundraising committees, and a member of their Capital Campaign Steering Committee. She also serves as a volunteer attorney for the King County Bar Association’s Elder Law Clinic and the University of Washington School of Law’s Immigrant Families Advocacy Project.

“Perhaps [Rath’s] greatest contribution to CASA Latina has been how her commitment to the organization inspires other board members to commit to the organization more deeply,” wrote Gloria Coronado, president of the CASA Latina Board of Directors. “Her commitment, time, and patience have benefited CASA Latina tremendously and have helped it to grow into an organization that Latino immigrants can count on to help them in their transition into their adopted community.”

Award of Merit — the WSBA’s highest honor — is most often given for long-term service to the Bar or the public, although it has also been presented in recognition of a single, extraordinary contribution or project. It is awarded to individuals only — both lawyers and non-lawyers.

The Honorable Gerry L. Alexander

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander was first elected to the Washington State Supreme Court in 1994, having previously served as a judge of the superior court for Thurston and Mason counties from 1973–1984, and as a judge of the Court of Appeals, Division Two, from 1985–1994. In 2001, he was elected as chief justice, and was re-elected in 2004. Justice Alexander has the distinction of being the longest-serving chief justice in the state’s history.

Justice Alexander has been involved with numerous committees, associations, and boards throughout his career. He has served as chair of the Bench-Bar-Press Committee, the Board for Judicial Administration, the Capital Furnishings Preservation Committee, and the Marine Employment Commission. He has served as president and member of the Bigelow House Preservation Association, the Capital High School Sports Booster Club, the Olympia Area YMCA, the Olympia Lions Club, the Puget Sound Inn of Court, the State Capitol Historical Society, and United Way of Thurston County. He has also served on the Junior League of Olympia Community Advisory Board, the Olympia Area Chamber of Commerce, the Olympia Historical Society, the Olympia Rotary Club, and the Statute Law Committee.

“The Award of Merit recognizes a significant career of service to both the Bar Association and the legal profession,” said WSBA President Stan Bastian. “Chief Justice Alexander deserves this recognition by his professional colleagues, and I am honored to present it to him.”

Ronald R. Ward

The oldest of 10 children raised in a San Francisco-area housing project, Ron Ward was inspired to practice law by the example of his mother, who worked as a domestic, and who he saw as an inspiring example of preparation for the next generation. Ward earned his law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He served as a Washington state assistant attorney general before entering private practice. He is currently a partner in the Seattle firm Jones & Ward PLLC, where his practice focuses on serious auto, maritime, and construction-site personal injuries, and wrongful death.

Ward was elected and served as the first African-American WSBA president in 2004–2005. He is the first person of color in the organization’s history to receive the Award of Merit. Ward is the founder of the WSBA Leadership Institute (WLI) for diverse young lawyers. The WLI was program winner of the national 2005 American Bar Association Partnership Award and sole recipient of the 2006 LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell Legal Fellowship.

“Ron Ward has been a tireless advocate for the improvement of the practice of law, diversity and inclusion within the profession, and the furtherance of access to justice for all Washingtonians,” wrote Karen Falkingham, director of the LAW Fund. “Ron Ward has been [a] unifying voice in our state who has worked hard to make our communities fairer places to live.” WSBA President-elect Mark A. Johnson wrote: “I was on the WSBA Board of Governors when Ron was president and I was amazed at his tireless, unrelenting efforts on behalf of the Bar, diversity, and access to justice ... he set an unparalleled standard of excellence.”

Ward’s motto is, “I want to make a difference.”

Lifetime Service Award — this award given for a lifetime of service to the WSBA and the public and only when there is someone especially deserving of this recognition.

The Honorable Eugene C. Anderson

Judge Eugene Anderson was elected as a part-time district court judge for Skagit County in 1959. In 1983, when the courts of Anacortes, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley combined into one county court, he became a full-time judge. He retired in 1994 as the longest-serving district court judge in the state. Judge Anderson served on the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association Education Committee and its Civil Benchbook Committee and as a member of the Washington State Judicial Ethics Advisory Board. He has lectured at the Washington State Judicial Training Conference and the Washington State Court Administrators’ Conference. In addition, he was involved for 41 years with the WSBA Committee of Bar Examiners, and created the “Ten Commandments of Grading,” which have been a fixture of bar examiner training sessions for over 20 years.

“Judge Anderson has continued to provide the same high level of energy, integrity, enthusiasm, and leadership through the years,” wrote Joseph Nappi Jr., chair of the Committee of Bar Examiners. “All of us on the Executive Committee are impressed by Judge Anderson’s . . . ability to see both the big picture and many smaller details. He consistently urges us to higher levels.”

President’s Award — given in recognition of special accomplishment or service to the WSBA during the term of the current WSBA president.

Thomas A. Waite

Thomas Waite has been active with many WSBA committees. In 2007–2008, he chaired the WSBA Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) Committee. It is particularly for his leadership this year on the RPC Committee that he is being honored with the President’s Award. In addition to his service on the RPC Committee, he has also served on the WSBA Continuing Legal Education Committee, and as WSBA adjunct investigative counsel. In addition, Waite has been involved for many years with Leadership Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to developing effective community leaders who work to strengthen the Puget Sound region; he has served on its board of directors, selection committee, curriculum committee, and is a graduate of the program.

Waite works as counsel to the Environmental, Health and Safety Practice Group; Boeing Commercial Airplanes; and Shared Services Group for the Boeing Company.

Pro Bono Award — presented to a lawyer, non-lawyer, law firm, or local bar association for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono services.

Gail R. Smith

Throughout his career, Gail Smith has been a strong proponent of access to justice and pro bono services. He was president of the Skagit County Bar Association from 2000–2001; has served as co-chair and volunteer attorney with the Skagit County Volunteer Lawyer Program Steering Committee since 1987; and has been involved with the Skagit Valley College Paralegal Advisory Committee since 1989. His activities with the Washington State Bar Association include serving on the Legal Aid Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee. In addition to his work and pro bono efforts, Smith has been an active and dedicated member of his community. He served as the Padilla Bay Foundation Board of Directors president, and as a youth basketball coach.

“[Smith] is truly an asset to the legal aid community,” wrote Skagit County Community Action Agency Program Manager Catherine Brown in her nomination letter. “His support and dedication to delivery of legal assistance and pro bono services continues to expand access to justice for those who need it most.”

Norm Maleng Leadership Award — given jointly by the WSBA and the Access to Justice Board in honor of Norm Maleng’s legacy as a leader. This award recognizes those who embody Maleng’s qualities and values: innovative and optimistic leadership; commitment to justice, access to justice, diversity, and mentorship; and love of the law.

M. Wayne Blair

Wayne Blair served on the WSBA Board of Governors from 1991 to 1994; as president from 1998 to 1999; and as a member of the Washington State Bar Foundation from 2001 to 2006. Blair was a member of the committee that founded the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, as well as its first chair-elect. He has also served on the Task Force on WSBA Governance, the WSBA Facilities Committee, and the Joint Task Force on Lawyer Discipline.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Evergreen Legal Services; as chair of the Equal Justice Coalition; and as president of the King County Bar Association. He also serves on the Access to Justice Board.

“Throughout my association with [Blair] over many years, I’ve been impressed by [his] unwavering commitment to open, accessible, fair, and effective justice for all who come to our courts,” wrote Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander in his nomination letter. “Like Norm, [Blair] ably transcends partisan political considerations and other barriers that would prove daunting to many. Like Norm, [Blair] engages in the work of providing leadership on difficult issues with thoughtfulness, dignity, civility, fairness, sensitivity, and humility.”

Blair remarked: “Norm Maleng was a special person in my life. We served together as advisers in the residence halls at the University of Washington in 1965. He was my boss and we became good friends. Whether he intended to or not, Norm influenced me in leaving the electrical engineering profession and deciding to attend law school. I am truly honored and touched to be named the first recipient of an award in his name.”

Blair currently works for JAMS, The Resolution Experts, providing arbitration and mediation services.

Stephanie Perry is the WSBA communications specialist/website editor and can be reached at stephaniep@wsba.org.