Updated: March 3, 2023

Volunteer to Represent WSBA on a Committee or Organization

Important Dates

Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington

Open Until Filled. 

The WSBA Board of Governors will appoint four members of the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington for terms beginning upon appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2023 (the term expiration is set by the Board of Governors and subject to change).

The Bench-Bar-Press Committee was formed in 1963 to foster better understanding and working relationships among judges, lawyers, and journalists. Its mission is to seek to accommodate, as much as possible, the tension between the constitutional values of free press and fair trial through educational events and relationship building. The committee is chaired by the chief justice of the Washington Supreme Court and includes representatives from the legal profession, judiciary, law enforcement, and news media.

The full committee typically holds an in-person (currently paused due to COVID-19). A liaison committee, called the Fire Brigade conducts work throughout the year. Subcommittees of volunteers are organized on an ad hoc basis to plan and execute events. More information can be found here, or contact Wendy Ferrell, Administrative Office of the Courts, at wendy.ferrell@courts.wa.gov.

To apply, email a letter of interest and resume to barleaders@wsba.org.

Statute Law Committee

Application Deadline: Mar. 10, 2023

The WSBA is accepting applications from members interested in serving a two-year term on the Statute Law Committee, beginning April 1, 2023, and ending March 31, 2025.

This 12-member committee of the Washington State Legislature seeks to foster accurate publication of laws and agency rules and oversees delivery of the other services of the Code Reviser's Office in a professional and strictly nonpartisan and cost-effective manner. The Code Reviser's primary responsibilities are to periodically codify, index, and publish the Revised Code of Washington, the Washington State Register, and the Washington Administrative Code, and to provide bill drafting services for the legislature. The committee meets at least twice a year. Further information about the Statute Law Committee can be found at its website or by contacting Kathleen Buchli at Kathleen.buchli@leg.wa.gov or 360-786-6777.

Deadline: Feb. 24, 2023. To apply, email a cover letter and resume to barleaders@wsba.org. 

Washington Pattern Forms Committee

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023

The WSBA is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in serving a four-year term on the Washington Pattern Forms Committee. The term begins on May 1, 2023 and ends Dec. 31, 2027.  
 
The Washington Pattern Forms Committee develops and maintains standardized forms for use in Washington state courts. The mandatory pattern forms and pattern forms cover several subject areas, such as: domestic relations, protection orders, guardianship, garnishment, juvenile court, misdemeanor judgment and sentencing, felony judgment and sentencing forms, chapter 10.77 RCW forensic evaluation and competency restoration orders, chapter 71.05 RCW involuntary civil commitment orders and Joel’s Law petition (see www.courts.wa.gov/forms). Draft forms are usually prepared for the Washington Pattern Forms Committee by one of the subject matter subcommittees. The WSBA representative may also serve on one or more of the subcommittees.
 
The Pattern Forms Committee usually meets in person twice in the spring after the Legislative session ends and by email/teleconference/in-person meetings as needed during the rest of the year. Travel expenses may be reimbursed.
 
Further information about committee member responsibilities is available on request by contacting Joy Moore at joy.moore@courts.wa.gov. 
 
To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé on or before March 31, 2023 to barleaders@wsba.org.