Creditor Debtor Rights Section
The Creditor Debtor Rights Section offers its members numerous opportunities to stay current on relevant legal issues, comment on legislation, and participate in pro bono activities.
Section members represent a diverse array of individuals and businesses working as debtors, debtors-in-possession, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, receivers, trustees, asset purchasers, and examiners in all facets of creditor-debtor law.
On this site you will find links to additional information concerning the Section, including administration and governance; seminars, such as The Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute and the Pacific Northwest's premier seminar for insolvency counsel (cosponsored with the Oregon State Bar); Section projects, such as the annual grant award to associations that promote the mission of the Section; and legislative updates and news.
Executive Committee Elections Begin in May
For information about the Section and its Executive Committee roles, please review the Section's bylaws.
The positions open for the upcoming election are as follows (all terms are two-year terms beginning Oct. 1, 2019 and ending Sept. 30, 2021):
- Member, Position 5 (King County)
- Member Position 7 (Southern Division of Western District)
- Member Position 8, At-Large
- Member Position 9, At-Large
Voting will be conducted via SurveyMonkey. To ensure you receive a ballot, please click here and/or adjust your spam filters/firewalls to ensure your email address will receive the ballot.
For questions, feel free to contact a member of the current executive committee or email sections@wsba.org.
Section Newsletter
Spring 2018 │ Summer 2017 │ Fall 2016 │ Fall 2015
Legislative Updates
The only institution with a statewide membership involved in creditor-debtor practice, the Creditor Debtor Rights Section routinely provides consultation for comment on proposed legislation, court rules, and administration of the courts. Members have been active in drafting and proposing legislation in areas such as garnishment, exemptions, and receiverships.
Updated Washington Receivership Amendments as of Aug. 10, 2016
2019-2020 Grant Program
Application Process Open
Members of the WSBA Creditor Debtor Rights Section recognize the importance for all individuals to have access to legal services. Many Section members are actively involved in providing expertise to legal services for low-income individuals, both through direct representation and/or educational programs.
The Section's grant program, which was established in 2004, financially assists in the ongoing operation of community-service programs which provide access to legal services for individuals who face financial constraints and/or other limitations. The program is targeted to Washington state nonprofit organization operating programs which offer legal services addressing creditor-debtor issues, either through direct representation and/or financial education programs. A total of up to $5,000 in grant funds is available annually. See the list of prior grant recipients.
Executive Committee
Officers serve two-year terms.|
Chair: Kevin O'Rourke Chair-Elect: William Malaier, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer: Bruce Medeiros Immediate Past Chair: Thomas S. Linde Young Lawyer Liaison: Eli Enger* Board of Governors Liaison: Paul Swegle* Pos. 1 Eastern District Pos. 2 Eastern District Pos. 3 Northern Division of Western District |
Pos. 4 King County Todd Tracy (2018-2020) Pos. 5 King County Pos. 6 Southern Division of Western District Pos. 7 Southern Division of Western District Pos. 8 Eastern Division At-Large Pos. 9 Western District At-Large Newsletter Editor *Non-voting member |
Please contact subcommittee member for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.
To join the Section list serve and for general questions, please contact sections@wsba.org. For questions about the Section and to get involved, please contact Section Chair Kevin O'Rourke.
