FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2006
Contact: Stephanie Perry
Communications Specialist/Website Editor
206-733-5932; stephaniep@wsba.org
Seattle Attorney Diankha Linear Named 2006 WSBA Young Lawyers Division Outstanding Young Lawyer Of the Year
Seattle, Washington, November 20, 2006 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announced that Seattle attorney Diankha Linear received the Washington Young Lawyers Division (WYLD) 2006 Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award, in recognition of her commitment to the community and her dedication to promoting and diversifying the legal profession. The award will be presented to her by WYLD President John Brangwin and President-elect Mark O'Halloran at a reception hosted by her law firm, Cairncross & Hempleman, on November 29.
Ms. Linear, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, is an associate with Cairncross & Hempelmann. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Linear served in the United States Army Reserve for seven years and continues to serve as a Judge Advocate General Corps Officer (Airborne).
In 2004, Ms. Linear was the recipient of the Loren Miller Bar Association's (LMBA) "Excellence in the Practice of Law" Award, in appreciation for her service to the association, which included drafting an amicus brief in support of women's rights; arguing the brief before the Court of Appeals, Division I; and accumulating nearly 500 hours of pro bono service in a year while serving as the association's president-elect. She also served as the founding chairperson of the Washington State African-American Drug Policy Coalition (WAADPC) and co-founded LMBA's FreshStart program, which seeks to inform young adults about the criminal law process and assist high school students who have minor criminal records to expunge their record and receive a "fresh start."
Ms. Linear's dedication to her community is evident in her involvement with many associations, including board member and officer for Habitat for Humanity Seattle/South King County and Washington State; task force volunteer for Girl Scouts of America; former coach/mentor and guest speaker for YWCA's Girls First program; mentor with Community Friends; and mentor to law students through LMBA's mentoring program. Ms. Linear was recently named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics magazine.
"Diankha not only works diligently to represent clients, but she is particularly worthy of this award because she does so while unselfishly and consistently lending her talents to the legal community and the community at large," wrote Scott T. Bell, managing partner of Cairncross & Helpelmann, in his recommendation.
About the WYLD
The WYLD provides programs and services of special interest to young lawyers, the public, and those denied access to the justice system. In particular, the WYLD sponsors continuing legal-education seminars of interest to young lawyers; publishes De Novo, a bimonthly publication serving young lawyers; sponsors programs that benefit high-school students, including the YMCA Mock Trial Competition; as well as a variety of seminars addressing issues facing young lawyers.
Any active member of the WSBA is a member of the WYLD until December 31 of the year in which the member attains the age of 36 or until December 31 of the fifth year in which the member has been admitted to practice in any state, whichever is later.
About the Washington State Bar Association
The WSBA is part of the judicial branch, exercising a governmental function authorized by the Washington State Supreme Court to license the state's 29,900 lawyers. The WSBA both regulates lawyers under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. As a regulatory agency, the WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; and administers the lawyer-discipline system. As a professional association, the WSBA provides continuing legal education for attorneys, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities.
The governance of the WSBA is vested in its 14-person Board of Governors. There are three governors from the seventh congressional district; one from each of the other eight districts; and three at-large members, one of whom represents the Young Lawyers Division. The 2006-2007 president is Ellen Conedera Dial, of Seattle. The 2006-2007 president-elect is Stanley A. Bastian, of Wenatchee, and the immediate past-president is S. Brooke Taylor, of Port Angeles. The Board meets regularly (every six weeks) at various locations around the state, and its meetings are open to the public. Much of the work of the Bar is carried out through 23 standing committees; 26 sections; and a Young Lawyers Division, with its many committees.
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