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September 2008The Defender Association The WSBA Board of Governors will be appointing one member to serve the remainder of a three-year term on The Defender Association Board of Directors. The term will commence upon appointment and is effective through December 31, 2009. The Defender Association is a nonprofit law firm providing public defender services to King County and the City of Seattle in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, family advocacy, and civil commitment cases, and appeals at all levels of the state courts. The Board generally meets monthly. Please submit letters of interest and résumés to Bar Leaders Division, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539; or e-mail barleaders@wsba.org. 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. WSBA Leadership Institute Seeks Fellows for 2009 The WSBA seeks applicants for the 2009 WSBA Leadership Institute. The Leadership Institute recognizes that many lawyers, especially those from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups, have not been traditionally recruited for leadership positions or made aware of opportunities for leadership training, skill development, and professional growth available through the WSBA. Approximately 12 attorneys in practice for three to 10 years will be carefully selected for the program’s fifth year. The monthly sessions runs from January to July, 2009. The program is a collaborative, experiential, and individualized curriculum that includes seven professional-development seminars. WSBA Leadership Institute fellows will benefit from the latest trends in professional leadership development; exposure to the legislative and judicial systems; interaction with high-level state and local officials and judges; and opportunities to meet high-profile attorneys from the private and public sectors. The program requires a two-year commitment. Following the completion of the first year, fellows are expected to serve on a WSBA section or committee or participate in a bar-related activity. Fellows will earn a minimum of 30 CLE credits, and the program is provided at no charge to participants. Applicants must: (1) complete an application with cover letter, résumé, and three references; (2) be an active WSBA member; (3) have practiced law in a U.S. jurisdiction for three to 10 years, i.e., any attorney who has been admitted in a U.S. jurisdiction between January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2006, meets this criterion; (4) be nominated by his/her employer, or if self-employed, by a senior lawyer or judge; and (5) provide evidence of interest in community and WSBA activities. The deadline for applications for the 2009 Leadership Institute is 5:00 p.m., September 30, 2008. Application and nomination forms and instructions are available on the WSBA Leadership Institute website at www.wsba.org/lawyers/2009wli_application.htm. 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/judicialrecommendation or contact the WSBA at 206-727-8212, 800-945-9722, ext. 8212, or barleaders@wsba.org. 2008 Licensing and Suspension Information Provide WSBA with Current Contact Information. You are required to keep your contact information current; see Admission to Practice Rule 13. You can check your listing by going to the online lawyer directory at http://pro.wsba.org. If your contact information has changed, please complete and return the Contact Information Change Form available at www.wsba.org/lawyers/licensing/new WSBA Bylaw on Armed Forces Fee Exemption. The WSBA will begin processing Armed Forces Exemptions in December for the 2009 licensing year. WSBA Bylaw Section II.E.1.b., provides for a license fee exemption for eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces. This section of the WSBA Bylaws provides: “An active member of the Association who is activated from reserve duty status to full-time active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States for more than sixty days in any calendar year, or who is deployed or stationed outside the United States for any period of time for full-time active military duty in the Armed Forces of the United States shall be exempt from the payment of membership fees and assessments for the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection upon submitting to the Executive Director satisfactory proof that he or she is so activated, deployed or stationed. All requests for exemption must be postmarked or delivered to the Association offices on or before March 1st of the year for which the exemption is requested. Eligible members must apply every year they wish to claim the exemption. Each exemption applies for only the calendar year in which it is granted, and exemptions may be granted for a maximum total of five years for any member.” WSBA members whose membership status is active and who are otherwise eligible for the Armed Forces exemption as described above can apply for a waiver of WSBA license fees beginning in December. (WSBA members whose WSBA membership status is inactive or emeritus must still pay the annual WSBA license fees for that status.) If you are an active member and you believe you are eligible for the fee exemption, contact the WSBA Service Center at 800-945-WSBA (9722) or 206-443-WSBA (9722), or questions@wsba.org; or contact Amy Christensen at amyc@wsba.org, 206-727-8243, or 800-945-9722, ext., 8243 for application information beginning in December. 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. Nominations Sought for Public Education Award The Council on Public Legal Education is accepting nominations for its Flame of Democracy Award, given to an individual, organization, or program in Washington state that has made a significant contribution to increasing the public’s understanding of law, the justice system, or government. The mission of the CPLE, a committee of the WSBA, is to promote public understanding of the law and civic rights and responsibilities. First presented in 2002 to the late journalist Richard Larsen, the award was established to highlight the important educational work being done by teachers, lawyers, judges, the media, and a variety of advocacy and community organizations and individuals. Other recipients have been the Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for its school outreach program; the Northwest Justice Project for its self-help website; and the League of Women Voters of Washington Education Fund, for its numerous efforts to strengthen citizen knowledge of and participation in government. Nominations, which are due December 1, 2008, should be made in the form of a letter (maximum 500 words) describing the nominee’s work and how it addresses the mission of the CPLE. The letter also should include the name of a reference who can provide additional information about the nominee. Supporting materials may be submitted; please limit print materials to 10 pages and audio-visual materials to 30 minutes. Self-nominations are encouraged. All nominations will be kept confidential. Nominations should be addressed to: Pam Inglesby, WSBA, 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539. E-mail submissions are acceptable, and may be sent to pami@wsba.org. Further information about the CPLE may be found at www.wsba.org/ple. Legal Foundation of Washington Notice of Public Meeting The trustees of the Legal Foundation of Washington will meet on September 18, 2008, at the Legal Foundation of Washington offices at 1325 Fourth Ave., Ste. 1335, Seattle, Washington. The public may appear in order to comment on the Foundation’s activities between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. Call 206-624-2536 for more information. New PERS Opportunity for Former Judges and Justices Members of the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) with service credit earned while serving as an elected or appointed judge or justice may be able to increase their PERS retirement benefit by purchasing a higher benefit multiplier for the service credit earned during their judicial career. Only PERS members who are not currently serving as a judge and have not started receiving their PERS monthly benefit are eligible for this program. For more information, see www.drs.wa.gov/member/publications/pers/persjudicialincrease.htm or contact the PERS Judicial Benefit Team at 360-664-7966, 800-547-6657, ext. 47966, or recep@drs.wa.gov. LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar Join us for the LOMAP and Ethics Traveling Seminar September 23 in Colville, or September 24 in Pullman. The seminar includes these topics: safeguarding client property; required trust account records; minding your matters; and winding down: the golf course beckons. To register, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. 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 September 8 clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the WSBA office and will focus on using Windows menus, the mouse, and making adjustments to the screen. The September 11 session will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and will focus on using Outlook and practice-management software. For more information or to RSVP, contact Julie Salmon at 206-733-5914, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. Casemaker Online Research Casemaker is a powerful online research library provided free to WSBA members. To access Case¬maker, go to the WSBA website at www.wsba.org and click on the Casemaker logo on the right sidebar. Click on the Case¬maker button to begin. For help using Case¬maker, 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). Contract Lawyer Meeting Discuss the issues with other contract lawyers on September 9 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. LAP Solution of the Month: Career on Track? Has your career turned out the way you planned? Do you have a clear vision for the next five, 10, 20 years? If not, what’s getting in your way? For help developing your career plan, 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 the Job Seekers Discussion Group the second Wednesday of each month from noon to 1:30 p.m. The next meeting is September 10 at the WSBA office. The group discusses where to look for jobs, growing your network of contacts, résumés and cover letters, and keeping yourself organized and motivated. Exchange information and network with other lawyers looking to make a change. Come as you are — no need to RSVP. 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 the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. 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 WSBA homepage, www.wsba.org. 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. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284 or 800-945-9722, ext. 8284. 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 and handling problem-personality clients. Contact Barbara Harper at 206-727-8265, 800-945-9722, ext. 8265, or barbarah@wsba.org. 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, depending on ability to pay. Call 206-727-8268, 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. 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, 800-945-9722, ext. 5914, or juliesa@wsba.org. 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, 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 August 2008 was 1.966 percent. Therefore, the maximum allowable usury rate for September 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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