LGBT Law Section

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Law Section strives to:

• Support understanding among WSBA members of the legal needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents of Washington
• Assist LGBT residents and those who represent them
• Better understand how their legal needs can be met
• Support research, education, and collaboration by section members on issues of sexual orientation and gender identification
• Promote the study of LGBT law and report on changing law and regulations as they affect LGBT people and communities
• Assist in legislative work undertaken within the scope of GR 12
• Act as a liaison between the WSBA, its Board of Governors, LGBT organizations, and the public

Shape Your Section for the Future: Apply Today to Become a Section Leader

Applications open on March 14, 2022, and close at 5 p.m. April 29, 2022.

The following section executive committee positions are open for applications. All terms begin Oct. 1, 2022.

• Chair-elect: remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2022.
• Chair-elect: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2022, and ending Sept. 30, 2023.
• Secretary: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2022, and ending Sept. 30, 2023.
• Treasurer: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2022, and ending Sept. 30, 2023.
• At-Large Member (three positions open): two-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2022, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.

To learn more about roles and expectations for serving on the section executive committee, review this volunteer position description, which provides a general overview of section executive committee positions—these may differ for each section.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be a current section member and should be eligible to vote in accordance with the section’s bylaws.

Application Process

Go to the myWSBA portal to complete the online application for open executive committee positions.

The Section has requested that each applicant submit a resume and statement of interest with your application. This document can be uploaded with your online application (pdf format only). Please be advised that application materials may be posted on this website for public viewing.

Note: If you are applying for more than one position on this or multiple sections’ committees, you must complete and submit all applications at the same time, as you will not be allowed back into the portal at a later time. Please make sure you are completing the applications within the application window for all of the relevant sections.

Nomination Process

The executive committee or Chair shall appoint a nominating committee no later than 90 days prior to the Annual Election for the purpose of nominating interested qualified persons. The nominating committee shall consist of no fewer than three members of the Section, at least one of whom is not a current member of the executive committee.

All applicants will apply through an electronic process administered by the Bar. The executive committee will also have an alternative process to allow for nominations to occur outside of the nominating committee process. The nominating committee may nominate more than one candidate for each position. The executive committee will approve a list of nominees for each position. Persons nominated through an alternative nomination process will be included on the final list of approved nominees. Notice containing the names of nominees selected by the nominating committee shall be provided to voting members of the Section no later than 30 days prior to the annual election. The notice shall include names of persons nominated and the positions to which they have been nominated.

Alternate Nomination Process

A section member may nominate another member by emailing Kelsey Kittleson. If materials (resume, statement of interest, etc.) are required, the nominator is required to submit those materials as well.

A section member may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else during a meeting (remote meetings allowed for COVID-19 compliance) within the nomination timeline. The Nominating Committee will inform the nominee of consideration.

Elections Process

All voting members of the section will receive an electronic ballot sent to their email in June 2022. Visit this webpage in early June for election updates and voting instructions.

Questions? 
For more information about the Section, its executive committee roles, and elections process, please review the Section’s bylaws. You may also contact any member of the current Section Executive Committee or email sections@wsba.org.

Executive Committee

The WSBA LGBT Law Section Executive Committee generally conducts meetings via Zoom from 4-5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month.

Zoom meeting link
Meeting ID: 949 8944 4672
Passcode: 503653

Join Our List Serve

To join the section list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact Section Chair Peder Punsalan-Teigen.