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October 2008A Major League Umpire and the Board of Governorsby WSBA President Mark Johnson Bill Klem was a major league baseball umpire for 37 years. He umpired in 18 World Series, and he is one of a handful of umpires elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Klem was once asked whether he had ever "missed" a call. In response, Klem pointed to his heart and replied: "Never here." Klem's answer was intended to convey that, although some had disagreed with his calls, his integrity was unimpeachable and he always did what he believed was right. In the coming year, as the elected, collective leadership of the Washington State Bar Association, the Board of Governors will be faced with making many important decisions. In fact, between the time this article was submitted and its publication, the Board will have, in all likelihood, voted on:
Other issues on the horizon include: continuing a review and redrafting where necessary of the WSBA Bylaws; conducting a review of all WSBA programs; voting on more than 20 recommended changes to our discipline system as a result of ABA review that the WSBA requested; and voting on a resolution and/or professional conduct rule governing a lawyer's obligations when an opposing party or witness to a lawsuit is in the country without proper immigration documentation. Unlike the work we do on behalf of our clients, which should not be subject to competing influences, the justice that the WSBA seeks to achieve is systemic and the Board's decision-making process, affecting as it does many groups and people with varied interests, mandates that the BOG weigh multiple competing influences. The Board does not make its decisions in a vacuum — quite the contrary. The governors receive input and opinions from numerous sources, including: WSBA sections, boards, committees, minority and specialty bar associations, legislators, the courts, individual attorneys, and the public. Finally, there are letters, e-mails, and phone calls from constituents and others. In preparation for each of the eight board meetings the 14 voting governors will attend across our state during this "WSBA year" (October 2008–September 2009), they will review hundreds of pages of material. During the meeting, the governors listen to stakeholders and other interested parties. Each governor also attends multiple BOG committee meetings and acts as a liaison to one or more minority and specialty bar associations and WSBA committees. In addition, some serve on task forces and special committees. The members of our Board are as diverse a group as has ever governed our Bar, and they are exceptionally hard-working and well-infused with an understanding of their responsibilities. Although they are elected by constituencies less than the whole, each understands that it is his or her duty to act consistently with GR 12, the WSBA mission statement, and in the best interests of our membership, the public, and the justice system they serve. However contentious an issue may be, the Board does not have the option of avoiding it and, invariably, with every vote, some people will be unhappy. I cannot promise you that there will not be decisions that will disappoint you, but I do promise that issues will be fully and fairly debated and that rational dissension and fair criticism will be respected and considered. In addition, knowing the members of this Board as I do, they will, like Bill Klem, never miss one in their hearts. WSBA President Mark Johnson can be reached at 206-386-5566 or mark@johnsonflora.com.
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