Family Law Section

The Family Law Section is the principal statewide organization of family law attorneys, and is one of the most active sections in the WSBA. The Section is devoted to improving the profession and practice of family law, to the benefit of its members and other family law professionals, the judiciary, and the general public.

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Section Executive Committee Elections

The Section is conducting elections for open positions on the executive committee.

Voting is scheduled for June 5-19, 2023. All voting members of the Section will be sent an electronic ballot from Survey Monkey via email on June 5, 2023.

Candidate Information, Open Positions, and Terms
For more information about the Section and its executive committee, please review the Section's bylaws. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by position.

At-Large Member
Five positions open. 3-year term: Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2026.

Candidate 1: Amber Bighorse | Candidate Materials

Candidate 2: Christopher Fox | Candidate Materials

Candidate 3: La Vonna Jones | Candidate Materials

Candidate 4: Michael Savage | Candidate Materials

Candidate 5: Ariella Shuster | Candidate Materials

Candidate 6: Dawn Sydney | Candidate Materials

Candidate 7: Laura Yelish | Candidate Materials

Questions? Email sections@wsba.org.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for the Family Law Midyear

The Family Law Section Midyear is back and with an in-person option from Wenatchee this year! This Midyear is a hybrid event, with both an in-person and webcast component, at the Wenatchee Convention Center from July 28-30, 2023.

Jurists, practitioners, and other professionals from around the state will present on critical updates, case studies, success stories and challenges. Leave with information and instruction on a variety of topics to enhance your practice, see a new part of the state, and reconnect with colleagues. We look forward to being together in person and hope you can be a part of it. 

Please join us noon-1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29 for the Family Law Awards Luncheon. You will have the option to choose one of three options:

• Mojo Chicken: Marinated in orange juice with garlic and cilantro then grilled. Served with rice and black beans.
• Parmesan-Crusted Salmon: Fresh salmon topped with a creamy sauce, breadcrumbs and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Served with Italian-style roasted potatoes.
• Vegan Risotto Cakes: Risotto cakes in chickpea "cream" sauce. Served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

LODGING INFORMATION:
WSBA has two blocks of discounted rooms held for attendees at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel, held until July 6, 2023, and the Hilton Garden Inn-Wenatchee, held until June 27, 2023, after which time, reservations will be based on space availability and the room prices may increase. The WSBA room block at The Coast is for Friday and Saturday nights, July 29 and 30, at $148/night, plus taxes and fees; the room block at the Hilton Garden Inn is for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, at $179/night, plus taxes and fees. Room reservations made under the WSBA-arranged room block are for attendees of the Midyear Conference only. If a non-attendee would like to stay in the area, we ask that they find accommodations outside of the WSBA room block. 

• To reserve your room at the Coast: Please call or email The Coast’s Reservations: 509-662-1234 or fom@wenatcheecenter.com and identify yourself as part of the "Washington State Bar Association" group. For more information on The Coast Wenatchee’s accommodations, please visit: Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel.
• To reserve your room at the Hilton Garden Inn-Wenatchee: Please navigate to the reduced rate on Hilton’s website via this link, or call 1-800-HILTONS and identify yourself as part of the "Washington State Bar Association" group. For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn’s accommodations, please visit: Hilton Garden Inn Wenatchee, WA Hotel.

As always, if you are unable to join us in Wenatchee, please join us online. Otherwise, the 2023 Midyear will be recorded and available for purchase from the WSBA CLE store at a later date. 

Executive Committee

Please contact subcommittee member for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations. Family Law Section Executive Committee meetings are held by video conference only with prior notice to the whole Executive Committee, and only when authorized by the chair or chair-elect. If you'd like to participate in a meeting, please contact the chair.

Join Our List Serve

The section's list serve is administered by the Family Law Section. To join the list serve, please contact and forward proof of membership to Alan Funk at asf@wechslerbecker.com. For general section questions, please send your email address and bar number to sections@wsba.org.