Updated: March 18, 2026

Ambassador Lunch and Learn Events: Legal Issues of the Day 


The WSBA Rule of Law Ambassador Program is creating an ongoing series of virtual lunch-and-learn events to educate and equip legal ambassadors to answer questions and be resources in their community about hot topics in the law; our goal is for all legal professionals to be ready to counter mis- and disinformation, to build trust and confidence in the legal system, and to stand ready to uphold the rule of law.

Do you have a recommended topic for a lunch-and-learn event? Email your ideas to ambassadors@wsba.org.

Immigration Enforcement Series

Spring 2026

"Can they do that?” Legal professionals are getting questions—or perhaps they are even wondering themselves—as federal immigration authorities have become more visible, frequent, and forceful presences in local communities. In response, we are creating a three-part series to connect legal ambassadors with experts in areas of law that frequently intersect with immigration enforcement actions. Tune in live to earn free CLE credit. Afterward, we will post a recording of the panel presentation, which will not be eligible for CLE credit but will serve as a continuing resource.

Read the related statement issued by the WSBA President and Executive Director following events in Minneapolis in January 2026


Immigration Enforcement: Search and Seizure — Fourth Amendment Considerations
Noon-1 p.m. Monday, March 30, registration link to come soon.

Panelists:
Scott Alf, AOC Court Services Division
Matt Adams, Northwest Immigration Rights Project
Kristina Campbell, Gonzaga University School of Law
Abbey McMahon, National Lawyers Guild Seattle Chapter
Vanessa Torees Hernandez, ACLU of Washington

Questions and topics to be discussed:

  • What does the Fourth Amendment guarantee?
  • How does the Fourth Amendment constrain or limit immigration-enforcement actions?
  • What must federal authorities possess to enter private property?
  • Is something happening now with these processes and/or interpretations of the law that seems unprecedented?
  • What happens when federal immigration authorities come to courthouses? What is the AOC’s advice to court leaders?
  • Can owners/leaders ban federal immigration authorities from entering places such as stores, businesses, schools, hospitals, and churches?
  • What laws or rulings should bystanders be aware of if they want to support immigrant communities before or during an immigrant enforcement action?
  • What are Legal Observers, and what should they be aware of and on the lookout for during immigration enforcement actions?
  • When and where are observers allowed to capture video or voice recordings? Does that change depending on who is involved (e.g., federal agents)?
  • What phone number or resource should legal ambassadors have on hand to be prepared when ICE shows up in their neighborhood?

Are you registered and have a question you don’t see on the list above? Send your topic ahead of time to ambassadors@wsba.org.

Immigration Enforcement: When Does Lawful Protesting Cross the Line? — First and Second Amendment Considerations
Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 2, registration link soon to come.

Panelists:
La Rond Baker, ACLU of Washington
Caesar Kalinowski IV, Davis Wright Tremaine
Abbey McMahon, National Lawyers Guild Seattle Chapter

Questions and topics to be discussed:

  • In practice, what have courts held to be acceptable forms of protest and free speech?
  • What have courts held to be forms of protest and speech that are unlawful?
  • Above and beyond the floor set by the U.S. Constitution, does Washington have any additional protections or considerations for speech rights?
  • Are there different considerations when it appears that protestors or bystanders are interfering with law-enforcement activities?
  • In general, does being part of a public protest action change or restrict a person’s ability to lawfully carry a firearm?
  • Have courts found that the presence of a firearm is sufficient to warrant some kind of heightened response from law-enforcement officers in a protest situation?
  • When have courts found that law-enforcement officers are justified in use of force to respond to someone lawfully carrying a firearm?
  • What are Legal Observers and how can they help their communities protect their rights before and during protests?
  • In the moment, what should Legal Observers be on the lookout for during interactions with protesters/bystanders and ICE agents?
  • When and where are observers allowed to capture video or voice recordings in Washington? Does that change depending on who is involved (e.g., federal agents)?

Are you registered and have a question you don’t see on the list above? Send your topic ahead of time to ambassadors@wsba.org.

Immigration Enforcement: When Jurisdictions Collide
Noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, registration link to come soon

Panelists:
David Montes, ACLU of Washington
Elizabeth Porter, University of Washington School of Law
Steve Strachan, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC)

Questions and topics to be discussed:

  • States can provide higher constitutional protections than the floor required by the U.S. Constitution. Is that the case in Washington for protections such as search and seizure or freedom of speech? If so, how are ICE agents held accountable to the higher standard or does the Supremacy Clause preempt those?
  • What other state or local laws interact with federal law enforcement activities, especially so called “sanctuary policies”? Again, how are these conflicts likely to arise and be resolved?
  • Do ICE agents have total immunity?
  • Recent bills restricting immigration enforcement—how has the Washington Legislature attempted to enact laws to limit or claim oversight of law-enforcement officials, including ICE agents?
  • How do lawmakers expect such bills to be enforced?
  • Historically, how have local law enforcement officers and ICE agents interacted?
  • What advice are you providing to sheriffs and police chiefs throughout Washington? What is it like for your colleagues right now?
  • If a person is being attacked, harassed, or followed by an ICE agent, what can they expect from local law-enforcement officers who may be present or who receive a 9-1-1 call?

Are you registered and have a question you don’t see on the list above? Send your topic ahead of time to ambassadors@wsba.org.