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Welcome to the Washington State Bar Association
The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) performs two roles—that of a regulatory body, and that of a professional association. As a regulatory body, we administer the bar exam, provide record-keeping and licensing functions, help members track and meet mandatory continuing legal education requirements, and administer the lawyer discipline program. As a professional association, we offer members a number of services and educational development programs. I hope you will take a few minutes to find out about the WSBA's many programs by perusing this Membership Guide; it is continually being updated and you can rely on it for the latest information on everything from current member contact information, to reference material and "hot" news and tips. Specific Web site references are provided throughout this guide, to direct you to the latest information.
The WSBA is here to serve you, and we hope you'll feel free to contact our Service Center if you have any questions or need assistance. Service Center representatives can be reached by phone during normal business hours at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). You can also contact them through e-mail at questions@wsba.org. And any time you call the WSBA office, please feel free to use the toll-free number — the Service Center is pleased to assist you or direct your call to specific services or persons within the WSBA. Our goal is to help you feel "connected" to the Washington State Bar Association, lawyers throughout the state, and the legal profession. Numerous list serves and broadcast e-mails help keep us in touch. Board of Governors' meetings are held throughout the state, and you are always welcome to attend. Getting involved in local and specialty bar associations, the Young Lawyers Division, and WSBA sections can be extremely rewarding, and we hope you'll consider the many volunteer and community-service opportunities available to you. Congratulations on being admitted to the legal profession in Washington state, and best wishes for a satisfying and successful career in the law. Sincerely, Paula Littlewood Departments/Services
Purposes and ActivitiesWashington State General Rule (GR 12) states the purposes, authorized activities, and unauthorized activities of the Washington State Bar Association. Purposes In general, the Washington State Bar Association strives to: 1. Promote independence of the judiciary and the bar. Specific Activities Authorized In pursuit of these purposes, the Washington State Bar Association may: 1. Sponsor and maintain committees, sections, and divisions whose activities further these purposes. Activities Not Authorized The Washington State Bar Association will not:
MissionThe mission of the Washington State Bar Association is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.
History of the WSBA
The Washington Bar Association was formed in 1888, the last year of the Washington Territory. In those days, all lawyers who had cases set for argument before the Supreme Court were required to be present at the beginning of the Court term in January. Sometimes, lawyers were required to wait for days or weeks for their cases to be called on the calendar. It was in this setting that a group of lawyers met in the Supreme Court chambers in Olympia, January 19, 1888, to form the Washington Bar Association. (The name was changed to the Washington State Bar Association in 1890.) The Association originally consisted of 35 lawyers, and membership cost $5 per year. By 1913, there were about 600 members of the Bar. At that time, it was a purely voluntary organization and did not include all lawyers admitted to practice. By 1930, as more lawyers were admitted to practice, it was proposed that the Bar Association have a paid executive secretary and a paid representative in Olympia when the legislature was in session, that it have an official publication, and that it be incorporated. An Incorporation Committee was formed, which drafted a Bar Association Act to be proposed to the Legislature. The proposed act would create "a complete integrated (i.e., mandatory membership) Bar which is officially organized, self-governed and all inclusive." This proposal was widely debated over the next few years. Seattle attorney Alfred J. Schweppe, former Dean of the University of Washington School of Law, argued forcefully and successfully for legislative establishment of the Bar. In 1933 the State Bar Act (RCW ch. 2.48) was enacted. Although the WSBA was organized as a mandatory bar by legislative adoption of the State Bar Act (RCW 2.48) which describes the WSBA as "an agency of the state," the WSBA is not a "state agency." Depending on the context, the WSBA may be described as one of the following: an instrumentality of the Supreme Court an arm of the Supreme Court a political subdivision of the state of Washington The Supreme Court, which has the inherent power to regulate the practice of law, has adopted General Rule (GR) 12, Washington State Bar Association: Purposes, which sets out the general purposes of the WSBA, and specifies authorized activities and activities which are not authorized. The language of GR 12 has been incorporated into Article I of the WSBA Bylaws. The internal affairs of the WSBA, including its membership, governance and operations, are established by the WSBA Bylaws. www.wsba.org/info/history.htm www.wsba.org/info/bylaws/
Governance of the WSBAThe governance of the WSBA is vested in the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors meets regularly (approximately every six weeks) throughout the state. Its meetings (with the exception of executive sessions, usually one hour in length, held the morning of the first day) are open to the public, and members are always welcome to attend. The work of the board is supported by board-appointed committees. www.wsba.org/info/bog/
Annual Report and Financial InformationThe WSBA Annual Report is published in the September issue of Bar News each year. It includes the President's Report, Executive Director's Report and Financial Highlights. Budgets and financial statements WSBA Service CenterThe WSBA Service Center is here to assist you. Our mission is to respond promptly, courteously and accurately to inquiries from our members and the public. Please call the Service Center with inquiries about licensing fees, MCLE compliance, course accreditation, CLE seminar registrations, publication orders, membership information and other Bar-related topics. If you're not sure who to speak with at the WSBA, start with the Service Center — we'll be happy to help you or put you in touch with the person who can assist you. e-mail questions@wsba.org Call 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday
Legal EventsThe calendar on the WSBA Web site provides a quick and easy method to keep up with events in the legal community. And for news on what your colleagues are doing, be sure to read "Changing Venues" in Bar News. (The WSBA welcomes submissions to the calendar and "Changing Venues." Calendar and "Around the State" submissions should be sent to comm@wsba.org.) www.wsba.org/info/event-calendar.htm
E-mail and List ServesThe WSBA, like many other organizations, is increasingly relying on the Internet to communicate with our members. Many sections and committees have list serves that members can join. The WSBA utilizes broadcast e-mail, and we encourage you to provide us with your e-mail address. You are given several options about the types of e-mail messages you receive from us. We're careful about our use of broadcast e-mail, and follow these guidelines: The subject line always begins with "WSBA" and includes enough information so that you can quickly determine if you want to delete the message without opening it. There is one subject per e-mail message. The message is brief, sometimes including instructions on where to get additional information. No attachments are included.
Lawyer-to-Lawyer ProgramBridging the gap between law school and the "real life" practice of law; helping new lawyers achieve career success faster; fostering professionalism and collegiality among members of the Bar; and encouraging the exchange of ideas is what the Lawyer-to-Lawyer program is all about. Lawyer-to-Lawyer provides the opportunity to learn those things you didn't learn in law school while developing a relationship with an experienced attorney in your area of practice. The Lawyer-to-Lawyer program is a vital part of your orientation and education during your first year of practice, and all new lawyers are encouraged to participate in this program. www.wsba.org/lawyers/help/lawyertolawyer.htm
Admissions and Licensing
The WSBA is charged with creating and administering the bar examination to assure a minimum level of knowledge for those entering the legal profession in Washington. The bar exam is administered twice a year and takes two-and-a-half days. Applicants are also subject to a character and fitness screening process before being allowed admission to the WSBA. The WSBA also administers the Rule 9 Legal Intern program, which allows law students to work in a legal setting under the supervision of a practicing attorney. The WSBA is charged by Supreme Court rule with administration of several regulatory functions in conjunction with attorneys' annual licensing requirements. Most prominent is the obligation of attorneys to obtain a minimum number of hours of accredited Continuing Legal Education (CLE). www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)It is of primary importance to the members of the Bar and to the public that lawyers continue their legal education throughout their careers as lawyers. The Washington State Board of Continuing Legal Education, nominated by the Board of Governors and appointed by the Supreme Court, oversees the accreditation of CLE programs and enforces member compliance with the CLE requirements. The WSBA tracks your credits, and you can view this information online using your confidential password. www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/faq-mcle-credits.htm
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs
Producing approximately 100 programs each year, the WSBA is the primary provider of Continuing Legal Education programs and materials for Washington lawyers. Some seminars are telephone-only, and some courses are available online, so you can participate without leaving your office. The CLE Department also offers video replay sites in less populated areas to make education more accessible to Washington lawyers in distant locations. The CLE Department also produces deskbooks and course books on substantive and procedural areas of the law in print and on CD-ROM, audio and video. Schedule information about WSBA-CLE seminars, as well as those sponsored by other providers, is listed in the "Calendar" section of Bar News. www.wsba.org/cle/
Your Bar RecordsThe WSBA maintains records of all persons admitted to the Bar. These records track membership status, MCLE compliance and contact information. Please note that the following is public information: name, WSBA number, status, date of admission, business address, business phone, business fax, business e-mail address, and WSBA committee and section membership. All other member record information is confidential. http://pro.wsba.org/ www.wsba.org/lawyers/member-data.htm
Employment OpportunitiesThe WSBA maintains three sources for job listings: postings on the WSBA website, a recorded jobline, and classified ads in Bar News. Job listings on the website and on the jobline are updated weekly. E-mail classifieds@wsba.org to place an ad.
Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP)The Law Office Management Assistance Program provides low-cost, professional consultation with office-management questions and/or problems. Services include general "prevention maintenance" reviews; consultation on specific problems, systems or procedures; reference materials for office and practice setup; and referrals to outside consultants and vendors suitable to a lawyer's specific practice needs. www.wsba.org/lawyers/help/lomap.htm
Trust AccountsLawyers must certify that they maintain segregated trust accounts when appropriate. The trust accounting rules currently in effect for Washington lawyers are RPC 1.14. The Managing Trust Accounts booklet has been prepared by the WSBA as a guide for both new and experienced lawyers in dealing with trust accounting questions. The WSBA operates a random audit program of attorney trust accounts to ensure compliance with the appropriate rules and to educate lawyers on the proper procedures to use in handling client funds. Managing Client Trust Accounts booklet www.wsba.org/info/operations/finance/iolta.htm
How to Get Involved
www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/wyld/ http://www.waaccesstojustice.org/ www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/sections.htm www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/committees.htm www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/guide.htm
Look in the "FYI" section of each issue of Bar News for opportunities for service Washington Young Lawyers Division (WYLD)All Washington State Bar Association members are also automatically members of the Washington Young Lawyers Division for the first five years of practice or until the end of their 36th year, whichever is later. The Young Lawyers Division exists to assist new lawyers in achieving professional and personal development. To accomplish this goal, the division organizes a wide variety of programs of special interest to new lawyers and publishes a bimonthly newspaper, De Novo. The division also implements and supports numerous public-service programs. The WYLD's many committees are very active, and encourage member participation. There are many opportunities to get involved, and to help make a difference in your profession and in your community.
For more information, call 206-733-5944 Access to Justice and Volunteer Legal Services
Find out about how you can make a significant contribution to improving the justice system for low- and moderate-income people through pro bono or reduced fee services, financial support, and/or by building awareness. The Washington State Bar Association has a long and impressive history of strong support of efforts to provide meaningful access to our civil justice system for the poorest and most vulnerable residents of our state. The WSBA strongly encourages pro bono service, and many Washington lawyers give generously of their time and expertise. In 1989, the WSBA Board of Governors adopted an aspirational goal for each lawyer in Washington to provide 30 hours of pro bono service each year. Attorneys can now earn CLE credits for doing pro bono work for one of the 35 "qualified legal services providers" in the state. The WSBA also administers the Emeritus Attorney Program, which enables retired and inactive attorneys to volunteer. The WSBA administers the Access to Justice (ATJ) Board, established by the Washington State Supreme Court in 1994. The mission of the nine-member volunteer board is to promote and facilitate equal access to justice in Washington state for low- and moderate-income people through high-quality legal services. The ATJ Board oversees the work of 15 volunteer committees:
For More Information
Council on Public Legal EducationThe mission of the Council on Public Legal Education is to ensure that the people of Washington have the knowledge they need to participate effectively in the justice system and government. The council is pursuing this mission by creating, coordinating and encouraging many kinds of legal education programs ranging from a media resource guide, to teacher training workshops, to a comprehensive law-related Web site for the general public. Created in 2000 and currently housed at the WSBA, the council is a semi-independent entity similar to the Access to Justice Board. Its 30-plus members include lawyers, judges, educators, elected officials, journalists and community representatives. Law Week
Each year during the first week of May, hundreds of Washington lawyers and judges visit classrooms throughout the state. Our goal is "a lawyer or judge in every school." Washington's Law Week is quickly growing to be one of the most successful and largest programs of its kind in the country. Law Week coincides with the American Bar Association's Law Day, established by President Eisenhower in 1958 to strengthen the United States' heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law.
SectionsWSBA sections provide a forum for members to pursue their interests in specific areas of the law. Sections support the continuing legal education of lawyers, cooperate in the development of the WSBA's legislative program, organize and inform section members of issues and events in their areas of interest, and foster collegiality among members. WSBA sections include:
For More Information www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/sections.htm
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The Lawyers' Assistance Program (LAP) offers confidential assistance with mental/emotional, drug, alcohol, family, health, and other personal problems. The extended staff includes LAP-trained peer counselors — lawyers who are available to support their colleagues through difficult times. Other services are also available. LAP's staff and peer counselors are also available to give presentations at law offices, section meetings, and county and specialty bar meetings.
This program includes two components: Voluntary Fee Arbitration and Mediation. The Voluntary Fee Arbitration Program helps clients and lawyers to resolve fee disputes by providing arbitration services, and deciding the fair and reasonable value of a lawyer's legal work for the client. The Mediation Program is designed to resolve disputes voluntarily submitted by lawyers and/or clients, or referred by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel. Unlike the arbitrator in voluntary fee arbitration, the mediator does not make a final decision on the dispute, but merely serves as a facilitator to help the parties resolve their differences.
This program provides information and confidential assistance in interpreting ethics, informal opinions, formal opinions and the Rules of Professional Conduct related to prospective conduct.
Washington lawyers do an excellent job of serving their clients. Less than three-tenths of one percent are subject to disciplinary action or sanction each year. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel is the department of the WSBA charged with investigating and prosecuting grievances against Washington lawyers, under the Supreme Court's Rules for Lawyer Discipline. About 2,500 such grievances are filed each year. Many more members of the public call for information and are assisted informally by WSBA staff.
After a confidential investigation, disciplinary counsel may either dismiss the grievance or, if disciplinary counsel believes there is evidence of an apparent ethical violation, refer it to a Review Committee of the Disciplinary Board, which may dismiss the matter, order further investigation, or order it to public hearing. Less serious matters also may be dismissed with advisory letters to warn against troublesome conduct.
Hearings are public and are held before volunteer hearing officers with WSBA disciplinary counsel acting as prosecutor. Appellate review is by the Disciplinary Board of 10 lawyers and four nonlawyers. Public sanctions and actions include admonitions, letters of censure, reprimands, suspension of up to two years, disbarment, probation and restitution. In all cases involving suspension or disbarment, review by the Supreme Court is automatic. In other cases, appeal to the Court is discretionary.
The WSBA would much rather prevent than discipline. Departments throughout the WSBA participate in preventive and educational programs. In addition to presenting more than 70 seminars each year, programs include:
Confidential telephone ethics line — 206-727-8284
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The WSBA maintains an office in Olympia to coordinate State Bar and judicial interests in the governmental and legislative arena. Throughout the year, the Legislative Department assists and advises sections and committees in developing legislative proposals and communicating with appropriate legislative members and staff.
The Legislative Department also coordinates the activities of the WSBA Legislative Committee. This committee meets three to five times each year from September through November, reviewing all legislative proposals emanating from WSBA sections and committees, and making recommendations to the Board of Governors for positions. During the legislative session, the time and resources of the legislative team are devoted to board-approved legislation.
More Information
To promote public confidence in the administration of justice and the integrity of the legal profession, the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection is established for the purpose of relieving or mitigating a pecuniary loss sustained by any client. The loss may be due to the dishonesty of, or failure to account for money or property entrusted to, any member of the WSBA in connection with the member's practice of law or while acting as a fiduciary in a matter related to the member's practice of law. The fund is funded by a mandatory annual assessment of active WSBA members by order of the Supreme Court. An annual report is published each year in the October issue of Bar News.
For more information, call 206-727-8252
Produced by the Communications Division, Bar News is the official publication of the Washington State Bar Association. All active members automatically receive Bar News. Members are invited to submit articles and correspondence to comm@wsba.org.
Published every spring, Resources is the WSBA membership directory, which includes alphabetical as well as geographical listings of members. In addition, Resources contains other valuable information, including section and committee listings, WSBA bylaws, MCLE information, a court directory, listing of certified interpreters, and more.
To order Resources, go to the WSBA Web site or call the
WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA
As a service to our members and the public, the WSBA publishes a series of consumer-information pamphlets on various legal topics. Written for the nonlawyer, they are intended to educate citizens about their legal rights and responsibilities, answer frequently asked questions, and explain basic aspects of Washington state law. The information is general and is not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for a lawyer's services.
To order pamphlets, call the WSBA Service Center at
800-945-WSBA or 206-443-WSBA
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Attorneys are encouraged to participate in the WSBA Speakers Bureau, a public-service program that promotes public understanding of the law and our legal system; increases awareness of legal rights and responsibilities; and builds positive community/client relations. Our Speakers Bureau coordinator matches requests from schools and civic groups with individual attorneys, based on topic, geographical area, and type of audience preferred.
In addition to this public-outreach program, WSBA staff are available to speak to WSBA groups, such as local and specialty bars and sections, about a range of topics.
To volunteer for the Speakers Bureau call 206-727-8213
The WSBA Communications Department works with reporters throughout the state, responding to their requests for information; helping them find lawyers to speak with about specific areas of the law; and using our best efforts to ensure accurate, appropriate news coverage.
For the benefit of their clients and themselves, all lawyers are encouraged to maintain professional liability insurance. Insurance is currently offered through several brokers in Washington. The WSBA-sponsored broker is Kibble & Prentice, a USI Company, and the new insurance company is CNA.
For more information, please call John Chandler at 206-695-3144.
Show that you're proud to be a lawyer! WSBA logo merchandise is available for purchase. Click here to visit the WSBA store.
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Paula Littlewood, Executive Director
Becoming involved in one or more of the many bar-related activities can be personally and professionally enriching. Volunteerism is a hallmark of the legal profession, and there are many opportunities to be of service to your community and to the WSBA. Many activities offer the opportunity to get to know your colleagues, expand your knowledge in your area of practice, and serve your community. Here are a few places to start if you'd like to get involved:
