Tacoma Lawyer Dale L. Carlisle Begins Term as WSBA President

Seattle, Washington, October 5, 2001 — Tacoma lawyer Dale L. Carlisle has assumed the presidency of the Washington State Bar Association after having served as president-elect for the last year. His one-year term expires in September 2002. During his term, Mr. Carlisle will concentrate on identifying long-term funding sources for legal services programs, implementing a definition of the practice of law, and creating ways to relieve court congestion.

A native of Walla Walla, Mr. Carlisle has practiced law with Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim PLLC in Tacoma since 1965. He was managing partner of the firm from 1993 to 1998. He also served as an assistant U.S. attorney, an Air Force JAG officer, and as in-house counsel for a real estate development company.

A commitment to service has characterized Carlisle's career. He has served on numerous county, state and national bar committees, including serving as chair of the WSBA Business Law Section. Mr. Carlisle is a frequent speaker at seminars; has written chapters in WSBA deskbooks on real estate and legal ethics; and has been an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law. He also served as director of the Broadway Plaza Development Association from 1979 to 1982, and was president of the City Club of Tacoma in 1994-1995. 

The Washington State Bar Association is a private, nonprofit organization authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license the state's 26,500 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, it administers the bar exam, provides record-keeping and licensing functions, and administers the lawyer discipline program. 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 13-person Board of Governors. There are three governors from the seventh congressional district, one from each of the other eight districts, plus two at-large members. 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 its 28 standing committees; 23 sections; and a Young Lawyers Division, with its many committees.