Litigation Section

The Litigation Section strives to be the voice of civil litigators practicing in Washington state. The section is involved in a wide range of activities that interest those who handle civil matters in superior or federal courts.

The Section sponsors a mentorship program that matches law students and young attorneys with experienced litigators, an annual midyear trial skills seminar, scholarships, panel discussion, and social events for Washington law students interested in litigation, and an annual dinner meeting between the Supreme Court and the Section Executive Committee. The Section reviews and provides formal input on pending legislation, development of proposed statutory enactments, and court rules to improve and facilitate the administration of justice from the perspective of practicing litigators.

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Shape Your Section for the Future: Apply Today to Become a Section Leader

Application Deadline is 5 p.m. April 17, 2023.

The following section executive committee positions are open for applications. Regular terms begin Oct. 1, 2023, with remainder terms starting upon election.

• Chair-elect: remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2023.
• Chair-elect: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.
• Secretary/Treasurer: remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2023.
• Secretary/Treasurer: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.
• At-Large Member (one position open): remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2024.
• At-Large Member (two positions open): remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2025.
• At-Large Member (two positions open): three-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2026.

To learn more about roles and expectations for serving on the section executive committee, review this volunteer position description, which provides a general overview of section executive committee positions—these may differ for each section.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be a current section member and should be eligible to vote in accordance with the section’s bylaws.

Application Process: Go to the myWSBA portal to complete the online application for open executive committee positions. The Section has requested that each applicant submit a statement of interest with your application. This document can be uploaded with your online application (pdf format only). Please be advised that application materials may be posted on this website for public viewing.

Note: If you are applying for more than one position on this or multiple sections’ committees, you must complete and submit all applications at the same time, as you will not be allowed back into the portal at a later time. Please make sure you are completing the applications within the application window for all of the relevant sections.

Nomination Process: The Chair or executive committee shall annually appoint a nominating committee of not less than three members of the Section, at least one of whom is not a current member of the executive committee. The nominating committee shall make and report nominations for the offices of Chair-elect, Secretary/Treasurer, and At-Large members of the executive committee to succeed those whose terms will then expire, and to fill vacancies then existing for unexpired terms. Nominations shall be submitted to the Bar at least 30 days in advance of the scheduled election. Other nominations for the same offices may be made by the membership and must be submitted at least 15 days in advance of the scheduled election. Nominations and elections for open executive committee positions will be held between March and May each year. All applicants will apply through an electronic process administered by the Bar. The executive committee will approve the list of nominees for each open position.

Alternate Nomination Process: Other nominations for the same offices may be made by the membership and must be submitted at least 15 days in advance of the scheduled election. All applicants will apply through an electronic process administered by the Bar.

Elections Process: All voting members of the section will receive an electronic ballot sent to their email in June 2023. Visit this webpage in early June for election updates and voting instructions.

Questions? 
For more information about the Section, its executive committee roles, and elections process, please review the Section’s bylaws. You may also contact any member of the current Section Executive Committee or email sections@wsba.org.

New! Litigation Section Mentorship Program

The WSBA Litigation Section Executive Committee is proud to announce the development of a mentorship program for current Litigation Section members. This new member benefit will help facilitate a connection between emerging and experienced professionals in their civil litigation practice.

Mentor and mentee applications are accepted throughout the year.

Complete the Mentee Application.

Complete the Mentor Application.

Please mail or email your completed application to the named attorney in the second paragraph of the application.

The Litigation Section Mentorship program will match mentors and mentees together using the criteria indicated in the application forms. Mentors and Mentees are encouraged to use the resources and guides provided by WSBA found here to select the desired structure for the ongoing dialogue between mentor and mentee.

If you have any questions about this, please contact sections@wsba.org.

Executive Committee

Meetings

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section conducts meetings 1-2 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held by telephone conference. To attend, dial 866-577-9294 and enter the participant code: 5016520#.

Please contact committee member for any other details on their upcoming meetings.

Join Our List Serve

For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact Section Chair David Rose. To join our list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org.