Washington State Bar Association’s Family Law Section Donates $3,000 to LAW Fund

Seattle Washington, March 31, 2004 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announced that that its Family Law Section has made a grant to the Legal Aid for Washington Fund (“LAW Fund”) in the amount of $3,000. The grant is earmarked for the Volunteer Lawyer Programs, to support LAW Fund in providing important and much-needed pro bono work.

“The Family Law Section wanted to make a clear statement in support of the hard work contributed by the many attorneys around the state who donate their time and their talents to serve those in need,” said Family Law Section Chair J. Mark Weiss. “This contribution is a salute to those volunteer lawyers.”

About the LAW Fund
The LAW Fund was created in 1991 by three members of the Washington State Bar Association—Jack Dean of Spokane, Mark Hutcheson of Seattle, and Paul Stritmatter of Hoquiam—who were committed to establishing an organization dedicated to providing private support for civil legal aid programs across Washington state. The LAW Fund helps people all over the state of Washington protect themselves and their families from homelessness, unsafe working conditions, and domestic violence by supporting access to civil legal aid programs. The mission of the LAW Fund is to ensure equal access to justice by raising funds to preserve and expand civil legal services for low-income people in Washington state. For more information about the LAW Fund, visit www.lawfund.com.

About the Family Law Section
Representing the interests of lawyers practicing family law, the Family Law Section reviews, comments on, and takes positions on behalf of the membership on proposed legislation affecting the practice of Washington family law and family law lawyers; offers a list serve where family law attorneys share insights, ask questions, and develop their skills, a website that provides forms and a brief bank, and Quickcites, which is an invaluable resource for any family law attorney; publishes quarterly newsletters covering family law issues and cases of note as well as legislative Hot Sheets dealing with emergent issues and section member response to various issues; and hosts an annual 2½-day meeting and seminar at a family-friendly location. Ethics and detailed family law topics are presented by outstanding speakers. The section also hosts a 1½-day skills training seminar for new lawyers and lawyers new to family law.

About the Washington State Bar Association
The Washington State Bar Association is a private, nonprofit organization authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license the state’s 28,200 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 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 president is David W. Savage of Pullman. The board meets every six weeks at various locations around the state, and its meetings are open to the public. Much of the work of the WSBA is carried out through its 23 standing committees, 23 sections, and a Young Lawyers Division.

# # #