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Find out what your fellow attorneys are up to. See www.wsba.org/¬media/publications/countynewsletters.htm for links to bar publications throughout the state. If you would like to contribute to Around the State on behalf of your county, minority, or specialty bar organization, or if you have a law-related item of interest, send your submissions to aroundthestate@wsba.org. WSBA Announces YouTube Video Contest The WSBA has announced its first-ever YouTube video contest on the justice system. "Justice for All: A Northwest Perspective" aims to inspire and engage Washington residents, young and old, by asking them to create a video on the theme of "Justice for All." The contest offers a chance to win $1,000 in two categories: (1) Judged, and (2) People's Choice. Entrants will create an original video — three minutes or less — about the promise of justice for all. Entries will be accepted between October 15, 2008, and June 15, 2009. All valid entries will be posted on YouTube. The contest is being undertaken to advance and promote the public's understanding of the rule of law and confidence in the legal system. The WSBA is reaching out to Washington residents of all ages, encouraging them to better understand the importance and value of the justice system in their daily lives, and to be more invested in the institutions that protect their civil rights. The WSBA is hoping would-be filmmakers and television producers see the YouTube contest as a fun, creative, and entertaining way to articulate an important principle which affects everyone. The contest is open to all Washington residents. Rules and an entry form are available at www.wsba.org/justiceforall.htm. The WSBA will announce the contest winners in September 2009. Reception Held for Foreign Lawyer Hosts A large group of Washington state attorneys and law students gathered at the Seattle office of Williams Kastner in October for the 2008 Foreign Lawyers Host Reception. The annual event was sponsored by the WSBA International Practice Section. The unprecedented turnout was recognition that Washington state is a global gateway for business and education. The Foreign Lawyers Host Program matches local attorneys and judges with foreign J.D., LL.M., and Ph.D. candidates at Washington law schools. The program commences each year with a reception where foreign lawyers and students meet their assigned "host attorneys," who will serve as a mentors throughout the year. This year's reception and program was chaired by Randy Aliment of Williams Kastner. Interest in the program led Aliment to open up the reception to members of WSBA sections outside of the International Practice Section, a first in the history of the program. Joel Benoliel, senior vice president for legal and administration and chief legal officer for Costco Wholesale Corporation, was the keynote speaker. Also in attendance were law school representatives Mie Murazumi, Professor Veronica Taylor of the University of Washington, and Professor Mark Chinen of Seattle University, and members of the WSBA International Practice Section's Executive Committee, including Chair Bernel Goldberg and Anamaria Turlea, of Kroontje Law Office. Kent Food Bank a Winner in Law-Firm Contest The competitive food drive between two Kent law firms couldn't have come at a better time for the downtown Kent Food Bank. Employees from Hanis Irvine Prothero and Curran Law Firm brought in 4,527 pounds of food as part of the fourth annual Kent Food Bank Challenge between the two firms. Hanis Irvine Prothero won the competition for the third time. The firm ran an inter-office competition as well, to help bring in even more donations. "Donations are going down and the number of clients is going up," said Jeniece Choate, executive director of the food bank. "But food drives really help keep us on track." "It's a friendly competition for a good cause," said Annette Bolster, a paralegal at Hanis Irvine Prothero, who helped organize the food drive, as she watched the items being delivered to the food bank. "We started to do it at the end of summer so that food is on the shelves for fall and winter." Members of the Curran Law Firm donated money and then sent three employees on a shopping spree. "People asked us who we were shopping for," said Susie Paepke, an administrative assistant with Curran, who participated on the shopping trip. "When we told them it was for the food bank, they were very appreciative." 2008 Race Judicata 5K a Great Success One hundred and thirty five runners and walkers participated in the WYLD-sponsored 2008 Race Judicata 5K in October. The event, held at Seward Park in Seattle, was also sponsored by the University of Washington School of Law Alumni Association, Student Bar Association, Public Interest Law Association, and Student Health Law Organization. The race raised $3,000 to support students working in public-health related legal externships. WYLD members interested in helping to plan next year's Race Judicata 5K should contact race coordinator Megan Vogel at meganvogel@dwt.com. Snippets Jennifer K. Wyatt, an attorney in the Seattle office of regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, was appointed to the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle (MAMAS) Board Of Directors. MAMAS was founded in 2006 in an effort to empower mother attorneys and encourage them to succeed while celebrating their dual roles. Littler Mendelson, P.C. is pleased to announce that Doug E. Smith, office managing shareholder of Littler's Seattle office, has been recognized by the Association of Washington Business with its 2008 Heavy Lifter Award. This award, presented at the Association's annual September Policy Summit, recognizes members who have most effectively volunteered their skills and time toward the development of a flourishing business climate in Washington. Jim McNeill, member in Foster Pepper's Municipal Government and Public Finance practice groups, was presented with the Partnership of the Year Award by the Granite Falls School District. The award recognizes Jim's work with the district over many years. "His professional standards and ethics are indisputable. Jim consistently protects the district while accepting suggestions and applying those suggestions only when all legal aspects are proven to be solid. He will take the extra step to consult with colleagues in his office and does not hesitate to contact state officials for legal opinions prior to committing the district to any particular course of action," said a Granite Falls School District representative. In October, the South Asian Bar Association of Washington awarded its President's Award to the Rule 6 Law Clerk Committee for encouraging diversity within the legal profession and its alternative learning methodology. This program has allowed many to find a way to take the bar and flourish within the legal profession. Foster Pepper PLLC announced that John Tayloe Washburn, member in the firm's Land Use and Environmental practice groups, has been inducted as chair of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Washburn has a lengthy record of service on issues including education, housing, transportation, growth management, and the environment. Along with the Greater Seattle Chamber, he serves on the Washington State Climate Action Team and is on the Board of Trustees for the Urban Land Institute and the Cascade Land Conservancy. American Bar Insurance (ABI) Plans Consultants, Inc. has named Seattle lawyer J. David Andrews as president. As ABI president, Andrews will oversee the organization's strategy for a one-year term, including continuing to serve ABA member lawyers with insurance programs customized to their needs. The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai has named Davis Wright Tremaine China practice partner Ron Cai as chair of its Legal Committee. AmCham Shanghai's Legal Committee is responsible for keeping AmCham and its members informed of current legal development in China. Susan Drummond, co-chair of Foster Pepper's Sustainable Development/Green Building industry group, was appointed by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to the City's newly formed Green Building Task Force. Drummond is the only attorney on the 50-member task force, which also includes representatives from Seattle's real estate, building operations, environmental, business, affordable housing, and labor communities. It serves as an advisory panel to provide recommendations on strategies to make buildings more energy-efficient and climate-friendly. K&L Gates LLP has launched a Construction Law Blog focusing on legal issues, news, and regulations concerning the construction industry. Maintained by members of K&L Gates's construction and engineering practice, ¬www.¬klconstructionlawblog.com includes lawyer-authored articles, analyses of cases, current and proposed regulations, and state-specific resources. Vancouver attorney Phillip Haberthur, an associate with Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, was honored by the Vancouver Business Journal as a recipient of the paper's Accomplished and Under 40 award. "I am honored to be associated with so many other accomplished professionals in the community," said Haberthur. "I look forward to continuing the civic and professional activities that allowed me to gain such a wonderful recognition."
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