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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT
Free Online Legal-Research Tool Coming to WSBA Members Seattle, Washington, October 13, 2004 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) will soon provide a free online legal-research tool to all members, through the Casemaker Consortium of Bar Associations. Casemaker is an online legal-research system providing access to state and federal materials. The WSBA will provide this benefit to WSBA members at no charge. It is anticipated that Casemaker will be available to all WSBA members by June 2005. Time is needed for Casemaker to create the Washington database, and for the WSBA to develop an online application that will enable members to access Casemaker quickly and easily through the WSBA website (www.wsba.org). Casemaker will be in a password-protected "members only" section of the website. WSBA President Ronald R. Ward commented: "The WSBA has a long, proud history of serving its members and, in turn, the public. Indeed, service is a hallmark of our profession. Casemaker will provide a cost-effective online legal research tool for the lawyers of our state, benefiting our members as well as the clients they serve." M. Janice Michels, the Association's executive director, added: "Our bar looks for programs that will support the practice of law and enhance legal services. Casemaker is one of the best member benefits we've been able to offer our members, and we look forward to joining with the other Casemaker Consortium states as the product grows. The WSBA will absorb the cost of Casemaker and provide it to members without passing on any of the costs." Launched by the Ohio State Bar Association in 1999, the system is marketed only to bar associations. There are currently 20 member state bar associations, including our neighboring states of Oregon and Idaho. Other members are Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Vermont. Michigan case law is also available to all lawyers who are members of Casemaker Consortium states. Each member bar shares its library with all the other member bars. Denny Ramey, the Ohio State Bar Association's executive director, explained how the Casemaker Consortium works: "Casemaker is a computer-assisted legal-research program provided free to lawyer-members of consortium states. The consortium is a win-win concept, because each member bar shares its library with all the other member bars. It levels the playing field for the 60 to 70 percent of lawyers who are sole practitioners or who practice in firms of five or fewer lawyers, many of whom cannot afford to subscribe to other online legal-research services. Large firms also benefit, realizing a cost savings when they ask their lawyers to use Casemaker before turning to more expensive tools. The goal of Casemaker is to take care of 90 percent of lawyers' research needs 90 percent of the time." About the Washington State Bar Association 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 2004-2005 president is Ronald R. Ward of Seattle. 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; 23 sections; and a Young Lawyers Division, with its many committees. # # # |