Volunteer to Represent WSBA on a Committee or Organization
New Opportunities:
- Bench-Bar-Press Committee
- BJA Public Engagement and Education Committee
- Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board
- Washington State Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee
Bench-Bar-Press Committee
Application deadline: Oct. 16, 2026
The WSBA Board of Governors will appoint six members of the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington. Two positions are for terms beginning upon appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2027 and four positions are for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and expiring December 2028 (the term expiration is set by the Board of Governors and subject to change).
The Bench-Bar-Press Committee was formed in 1963 to foster better understanding and working relationships among judges, lawyers, and journalists. Its mission is to seek to accommodate, as much as possible, the tension between the constitutional values of free press and fair trial through educational events and relationship building. The committee is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court and includes representatives from the legal profession, judiciary, law enforcement, and news media.
The full committee typically holds an in-person, annual luncheon event in November. A liaison committee, called the ‘Fire Brigade’ conducts work throughout the year. Subcommittees of volunteers are organized on an ad hoc basis to plan and execute events. More information can be found here, or contact WSBA Chief Communications and Outreach Officer Sara Niegowski at saran@wsba.org.
To apply, email a letter of interest and resume to barleaders@wsba.org.
Board of Judicial Administration Public Engagement and Education Committee
Application deadline: Oct. 16, 2026
The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting applications from members interested in serving on the Board for Judicial Administration's Public Engagement and Education Committee. The committee consists of 16 members, and is chaired by San Juan County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring. One member is nominated by the WSBA. All committee members are appointed by the Board for Judicial Administration. The two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2027 and expires Dec. 31, 2028.
The Public Engagement and Education Committee (PEEC), formerly known as the Public Trust and Confidence Committee was formed in 1999 to achieve the highest possible level of public trust and confidence in Washington’s judicial system, includes members representing the bench and bar, educators, legislators, local government officials, civic groups, and members of the public. The purpose of the PEEC is to empower the public and improve the Washington courts through authentic engagement and education.
Further information can be found on the state court website or by contacting Nicole Laplante at Laplante, Nicole Nicole.Laplante@courts.wa.gov. For information about WSBA's appointment process, contact Paris Eriksen, WSBA Manager of Volunteer Engagement at parise@wsba.org.
To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé to barleaders@wsba.org.
Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship Board
Application deadline: Oct. 16, 2026
One position is open on the Certified Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship (CPGC) Board to fill a WSBA representative position on this Board with a term beginning upon appointment and ending Sept. 30, 2029. The WSBA will nominate an applicant to be appointed by the Supreme Court. The CPGC Board is the regulatory authority for the practice of Certified Professional Guardians/Conservators - individuals and agencies - in Washington State. The Board is charged with establishing the standards and criteria for the certification of professional guardians, as defined by RCW 11.130.010 (26).
The Board meets monthly (in person, Zoom, or by conference call) to review applications for certification, adopt and implement regulations relating to standards and practice, ethics and training for professional guardians, and to review grievances. In developing procedures and policies, the Board would like to consider diverse opinions. Therefore, the Board is interested in members from diverse backgrounds, those with diverse experience and knowledge, as well as diversity in geographic location throughout the state of Washington.
For more information about this board, see its web page or contact Stacey Johnson at stacey.johnson@courts.wa.gov, 360-705-5302. To apply, email a letter and resume to barleaders@wsba.org on or before Oct. 16, 2026.
Washington State Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee
Application deadline: Oct. 9, 2026
The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in filing a mid-term position on the Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee. The term will begin immediately upon appointment and end on Dec. 31, 2027.
RCW 2.70.030 sets for the duties of the members of the Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee. The Office of Public Defense Advisory Committee meets quarterly to recommend policies for the agency’s appellate indigent defense, trial public defense, forensic civil commitment defense (RCW 10.77, RCW 71.05, and RCW 71.09), youth access to counsel hotline assistance, and family defense (parent representation and voluntary placement agreement hotline assistance)programs; advise the agency on oversight of its programs; make recommendations regarding legislative positions and proposed rules; review budgetary matters; consider appeals of billing decisions; and reviews the performance of the OPD Director. Committee members receive no compensation for their services as members of the committee, but may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses in accordance with rules adopted by Office of Financial Management.
Restrictions: During the term of appointment, no appointee may: a) provide indigent defense services except on a pro bono basis; b) serve as a court employee or a judge except on a pro tem basis; or c) serve as a prosecutor or prosecutor employee.
For additional information about the committee, please contact Deputy Director Sophia Byrd McSherry at Sophia.byrdmcsherry@opd.wa.gov and cc Legislative Coordinator Molly Fraser at Molly.Fraser@opd.wa.gov.
Please email letters of interest and résumés to barleaders@wsba.org by end of day October 9, 2026.
More opportunities are published throughout the year. Visit this page regularly to see the latest openings.
