Many young lawyers, particularly women, those of color, and those from traditionally under-represented groups, have not been recruited for leadership positions or made aware of opportunities for skill development, professional growth, and leadership training available through the WSBA.
In response, the WSBA Board of Governors decided in 2004, at the behest of President Ronald R. Ward (WLI founder), to create a leadership development program for a select group of young lawyers, and the WSBA Leadership Institute was born.
The program operates under the direction of a Board of Advisors and provides monthly training sessions to participants ("fellows"). The sessions include topics such as:
- The "nuts and bolts" of law practice
- Leadership styles
- The judiciary
- Public versus private practice
- The legislative process
A WSBA Institute Fellow is afforded numerous opportunities to personally interact with legal, judicial, and political leaders.
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The mission of the WSBA Leadership Institute (WLI) is to recruit, train, and retain Washington attorneys who have been admitted to practice for three to 10 years for leadership positions in the legal community and in the WSBA.
Program participants will be selected with an emphasis on diversity (racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, disability, cultural, and geographic).
An additional benefit of this program will be expansion of leadership potential for local, minority, and specialty bar associations. Although diversity is the emphasis, no one will be excluded from consideration if they have been admitted to practice for three to 10 years and timely submit a completed application.
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Training in the law, courts, and the Bar
By the end of the program, fellows will be much more informed about the practice of law; the inner workings of the state and federal justice systems; and local, state, and national bar associations. Top bar and judicial leaders will serve as the program's faculty.
CLE credits
Participation in the program will provide fellows with at least 30 Continuing Legal Education credits, enough to satisfy two full years of MCLE requirements — at no cost.
One-on-one interaction with judges
Fellows will be provided with at least one training session involving judges from federal, state, and tribal courts. This will allow for one-on-one interaction with the decision makers who manage and influence the justice system.
Exposure to practice and industry leaders
Fellows will learn practice tips from the most experienced and celebrated lawyers in public and private practice and from the major corporations located in Washington state.
Mentorship from well-known bar leaders
Each fellow will be assigned to a senior WSBA mentor in the practice area that the fellow is currently inclined to pursue.
Transportation, lodging, and meals provided
The program is a no-cost endeavor for fellows. To the extent where there are travel, lodging, or meals, fellows' costs will be covered. There is no tuition fee.
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The 2010 WSBA Leadership Institute applications deadline is now closed. The 2010 WSBA Leadership Institute Fellows will be announced in December 2009. Thank you to all those who applied!
For more information about the application process, please e-mail La'Chris Jordan, WLI Coordinator at lachrisj@wsba.org.
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"Access to decision makers and people 'in the know' was one of the best aspects of the program."
Kevin Diaz, Staff Attorney
Northwest Justice Project
"That so many great leaders took time out of their lives to offer us an all-access pass into their individual worlds was truly one of the greatest gifts of my career."
Beth Barrett Bloom, Associate
Frank Freed Subit & Thomas, LLP
"The experiential learning throughout this program was exceptional!"
Melissa Bartholomew, Lead Licensing Attorney
Office of the Attorney General
"Meeting people and speaking frankly about pressing issues, changing practices, and diversity issues were all exciting aspects of this program!"
Lisa Dickinson
Dickinson Law Firm PLLC
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