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August 2008Washington Pattern Jury Instruction Committee The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in serving a four-year term on the Washington Pattern Jury Instruction Committee. One position is available. The four-year term will commence upon appointment and expire on July 15, 2012. The incumbent is eligible for reappointment and must submit a letter of interest and résumé if reappointment is sought. Please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or barleaders@wsba.org. The Washington State Bar Foundation Board of Trustees The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking to fill one position to serve a three-year term on the Washington State Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Applicants must be a WSBA member. The Washington State Bar Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose focus is to improve the delivery of legal services to all segments of the public; foster improvement of relations among the Bar, the judiciary, and the public; advance programs related to new lawyer development; support diversity efforts; and promote the administration of justice. If you are interested, please submit a letter of interest and résumé to: WSBA Bar Leaders Division, 1325 4th Ave. Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539 or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org by August 29, 2008. Seeking Questionnaires from Candidates for Judicial Appointments The WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee (JRC) is accepting questionnaires from attorneys and judges seeking consideration for appointment to fill potential Washington State Supreme Court and Court of Appeals vacancies. Interested individuals will be interviewed by the Committee on the dates listed above. The JRC’s recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and referred to the Governor for consideration when making judicial appointments. Materials must be received at the WSBA office by the deadline listed above. To obtain a questionnaire, visit the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/judicial 2008 Licensing and Suspension Information Suspension recommendations sent to the Washington State Supreme Court. If you have not paid all of your license fees and late fees, or if you are on active status and have not paid your Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection assessment or filed your Mandatory Professional Liability Insurance Disclosure Form within 60 days of the date a Presuspension Notice was mailed to your address on record (March 14, 2008), your name was on the Suspension Recommendation List sent to the Washington State Supreme Court. Provide WSBA with current contact information. You are required to keep your contact information current; see Admission to Practice Rule 13. If your contact information has changed, complete and return the Contact Information Change Form available at www.wsba.org/info/newaddresschange For more information. Full explanations of license fees, forms, policies, and deadlines are on the WSBA website at: www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/annuallicensing.htm. The WSBA Service Center is available to assist you, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 800-945-WSBA (9722), 206-443-WSBA (9722), or by e-mail at questions@wsba.org. WSBA Court Rules and Procedures Committee 2008–2009 Agenda When it reconvenes in October, the WSBA Court Rules and Procedures Committee is scheduled to review the Rules of Appellate Procedure (RAP) and the Rules for Appeal of Decisions of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (RALJ). Suggestions regarding these rules or questions about the committee should be directed to WSBA Assistant General Counsel Elizabeth Turner at 206-239-2109 or 800-945-9722, ext. 2109, or wsbacourtrules@wsba.org. Interested individuals are encouraged to participate in the work of the committee. For more information, see www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/courtrules. Notice of Intent to Form a WSBA Civil Rights Law Section Petitions are now being circulated to form a new WSBA Civil Rights Law Section pursuant to Article IX of the WSBA Bylaws. This area of law falls within the purposes of the WSBA as provided in General Rule (GR) 12. There currently is no other section or WSBA entity whose primary focus is on civil rights law, other than the Civil Rights Committee. Whether the Board of Governors determines to continue or discontinue the Committee, the Section, supported by Section member dues, would be in a stronger position to present CLE programs, publications, and work with other WSBA entities such as the Council on Public Legal Education, the Committee for Diversity, and others. A subcommittee of the WSBA Civil Rights Committee chaired by Patricia Paul, and including Tracy Flood, Molly Maloney, Sharon Payant, and Wilberforce Agyekum, will work on this during the required six-month waiting period. They intend to report to the Board of Governors with a recommendation not later than September 2008. For more information, please contact Ms. Paul at 360-230-2369, or e-mail patriciapauljd@msn.com. Intended jurisdiction: The Civil Rights Law Section would address concerns with all aspects of civil rights law in Washington within the parameters of GR 12. LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar Join us for the LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar August 19 in Port Angeles or August 20 in Port Townsend. The seminar includes: “Safeguarding Client Property”; “Required Trust Account Records”; “Minding Your Matters”; and “Winding Down: The Golf Course Beckons.” Contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org to register. Recovery Support Group for Lawyers The Lawyers Assistance Program is offering a new weekly group in Seattle for lawyers in their first three years of recovery from drug or alcohol dependency. The group meets on Tuesdays from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Discussion topics include relapse prevention, improving relationships, work/life balance, and other themes chosen by the group. Coed. Sliding fee scale of $5–15 per session. Call Abby Smith, LAP addictions counselor, at 206-733-5988 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5988. Casemaker Online Research Casemaker is a powerful online research library provided free to WSBA members. To access Casemaker, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on the Casemaker logo on the right sidebar. Click on the Casemaker button to begin. For help using Casemaker, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org, or call the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722). Computer Clinic The WSBA offers a hands-on computer clinic for members. Learn what programs such as Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat can do for a lawyer. Are you a total beginner? No problem. The clinic teaches helpful tips you can use immediately. Computers are provided, and seating is limited to 15 members. There is no charge, and no CLE credits are offered. The August 11 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office and will focus on using PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat Version 8 (redaction and Bates numbering). The August 14 session will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will focus on using Casemaker and other online research resources. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Contract Lawyer Meeting Discuss the issues with other contract lawyers on August 12 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the WSBA office. Bring your lunch — coffee and tea are provided — and network with other contract lawyers. For more information, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Search WSBA Ethics Opinions Online Formal and informal WSBA ethics opinions are available online at http://pro/wsba.org/io/search.asp, or from a link on the www.wsba.org homepage. You can search opinions by number, year issued, ethical rule, subject matter, or keyword. Ethics opinions are issued by the WSBA to assist members in interpreting their ethical obligations in specific circumstances. The opinions are the result of study and analysis in response to requests from WSBA members. Call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. LAP Solution of the Month: Addicted? We become addicted when we engage in a behavior repeatedly to obtain escape, relief, or pleasure even when the behavior itself becomes counter productive. We can become dependent on just about anything: work, sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, even relationships. If behaviors like these are getting in your way, call the Lawyers Assistance Program at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Job Seekers Discussion Group Looking for a job or making a transition? Join us at the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is August 13 at the WSBA office. The group discusses where to look for jobs, how to grow your network of contacts, strategies for résumés and cover letters, and how to keep yourself organized and motivated. Exchange information and ideas with other lawyers looking to make a change. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. Bring your business cards and practice networking skills. For more information, call 206-727-8269 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8269, or e-mail rebeccan@wsba.org. Facing an Ethical Dilemma? The WSBA Ethics Line can help members analyze a situation involving their own prospective conduct, apply the proper rules, and reach an ethically sound decision. Calls made to the Ethics Line are confidential, and most calls are returned within one business day. Any advice given is intended for the education of the inquirer and does not represent an official position of the WSBA. Call 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. Learn More About Case-Management Software The WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) maintains a computer for members to review software tools designed to maximize office efficiency. The LOMAP staff is available to provide materials, answer questions, and make recommendations. To make an appointment, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914 or 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Speakers Available The WSBA Lawyers Assistance Program offers speakers for engagements at county, minority, and specialty bar associations, and other law-related organizations. Topics include stress management, life/work balance, and recognizing problem-personality clients. Contact Jennifer Favell, Ph.D., at 206-727-8267 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8267. Assistance for Law Students The Lawyers Assistance Program offers counseling to third-year law students attending Washington schools. Sessions are held in person or by phone. Treatment is confidential and available for depression, addiction, family and relationship issues, health problems, and emotional distress. A sliding-fee scale is offered ranging from $0–30. Call 206-727-8268, or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268, or visit www.wsba.org/lawyers/services/lap.htm. Help for Judges The WSBA Judges Assistance Program provides confidential assistance to judges experiencing personal or professional difficulties. Telephone or in-person sessions are available on a sliding-scale basis. For more information, call the program coordinator at 206-727-8268 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8268. Upcoming Board of Governors Meetings With the exception of the executive session, Board of Governors meetings are open, and all WSBA members are welcome to attend. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Contact Margaret Shane at 206-727-8244 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8244, or margarets@wsba.org. The complete Board of Governors meeting schedule is available on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/info/bog/schedule.htm. Usury Rate The average coupon equivalent yield from the first auction of 26-week treasury bills in July 2008 was 2.111 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for August is 12 percent. Information from January 1987 to date is on the WSBA website at www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/usury.htm.
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