Updated: Aug. 27, 2024

Business Law Section

The Business Law Section is committed to providing services that its members value, operating in a fiscally responsible manner, and enhancing the professional collegiality among all Washington business lawyers. Section members have access to certain restricted portions of this website, such as the Current Developments and Legislation pages. Members are also entitled to attend section events, participate on the Business Law Section list serve, and receive a semiannual newsletter and other publications prepared from time to time, including a sourcebook containing in-depth comments and legislative history on the Business Corporation Act (RCW 23B) and a report on opinion letter practice in Washington.

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The Business Law Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.

Upcoming Programs

Members-Only Resources

Announcements

Executive Committee

Committee Chairs

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Upcoming Programs

NEW In-Person or Virtual! 2024 Business Law Update: What Every Business Lawyer Needs to Know Now

Register Now for In-Person or Virtual!

Developed in partnership with the WSBA Business Law Section

The “2024 Business Law Update: What Every Business Lawyer Needs to Know Now" is a hybrid half day seminar that provides a comprehensive update on critical issues in business law, tailored for business lawyers. The sessions will cover LLC Membership Interests and their interplay with Article 9 of the UCC, recent developments in employment law, privacy litigation, and the impact of AI innovations on legal practices. Following the sessions, we will have a networking reception.

Seminar Agenda

When: Sept. 17, 2024

Time: 12:55–5:15 p.m. PDT

Credits:
3.00 Law & Legal Procedure
1.00 Other

Register Online Now for In-Person or Virtual!

 

NEW In-Person and Virtual! 44th Annual Northwest Securities Institute

Register Now for In-Person or Virtual!

Presented in partnership with the WSBA Business Law Section and in collaboration with the Oregon State Bar Association.

Join us online or in-person at the Washington State Bar Association offices in downtown Seattle for this full-day program. This year's Institute provides an overview of trends, developments, and issues in securities litigation, regulation and enforcement. The panels and presentations feature practitioners from throughout the Northwest region, representatives from the SEC, and private practice, all with unique and important perspectives.

Seminar Agenda

When: Sept. 20, 2024

Time: 8:55 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Where: Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Ave Ste 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539

Credits:
1.00 Ethics
5.00 Law & Legal Procedure

Register Online Now for In-Person or Virtual!

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Members-only Resources

Legislation

Publications & Newsletters

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Announcements

Fall 2021 Newsletter

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Executive Committee

Chair: Kelly Anne Lawton-Abbott (2023-2024) 

Chair-Elect: Barbara J. Prowant (2023-2024)

Immediate Past Chair: Christina Catzoela (2023-2024)

Secretary: Joanna Cleveland (2023-2024) 

Treasurer: Barbara J. Prowant (2023-2024)

Prior Chairs

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At-Large Members:

Anna Otsuka (2023-2024) 
Barbara J. Prowant (2023-2024)

Young Lawyer LiaisonVacant (2023-2025)

Board of Governors Liaison*: Kevin Fay (2023-2024)

Section Committees

Communications Committee Co-Chairs:
Vacant (2023-2024)
Vacant (2023-2024)

Corporate Act Revision Committee Co-Chairs:
Eric DeJong (2023-2024)
Michael Hutchings (2023-2024)

Financial Institutions Committee Chair:
Vacant (2023-2024)

Legal Opinions Committee Chair:
Scott William MacCormack (2023-2024)

Nonprofit Corporations Committee Chair:
David Lawson (2023-2024)

Partnerships & LLC Law Committee Co-Chairs:
Elisabeth McNeil (2023-2024)
Matthew LeMaster (2023-2024)

Privacy & Data Protection Security Law
Committee Co-Chairs:
Amy Weston (2023-2024)
Michael Austin Harris (2023-2024)

Securities Law Committee Chair:
Andrew Ledbetter (2022-2023) 

Uniform Commercial Code Committee Co-Chairs:
Gregory Fox (2023-2024)
Vacant (2023-2024)

Young Business Lawyers Committee** Chair:
Emily Donohue (2023-2024)

* Nonvoting members
** Ad hoc committee

All positions are for Fiscal Year 2024, except as otherwise indicated. Please contact subcommittee members for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.

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Join Our List Serve

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

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