Connect with Peers and Practitioners through WSBA's 29 Sections
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Sections members become part of active professional communities and gain access to an array of exclusive section member benefits. Over 10,000 WSBA members currently belong to one or more of the WSBA’s 29 sections. The section membership year begins Jan. 1.
Member Benefits
In the past year, WSBA Sections have sponsored approximately 70 CLE seminars and hosted multiple professional networking events around the state. Various sections offer a plethora of member benefits, including, but not limited to:
- List serve communities
- Newsletters, reports, deskbooks, and sourcebooks
- Free and discounted CLEs
- Opportunities to engage in the Washington state legislative process
...and more! Join a Section Today!
Interested in Section Leadership?
Each section is led by a group of volunteers who are elected to serve on the executive committee. Many find leading a section to be a rewarding experience because of the leadership growth, professional development, firsthand experience with the legislative process, and collegiality it offers. Executive committee discussions are productive and challenging, offering a unique opportunity to work with other legal professionals in a goal-oriented setting that benefits WSBA members and the greater legal community.
Executive committee terms begin Oct. 1, 2022, and sections accept applications for the following year in early spring. Consider applying to become a section leader!
For general sections questions, send an email with your Bar number to sections@wsba.org or call 800-945-9722.
WSBA Sections
Creditor Debtor Rights Section
The Creditor Debtor Rights Section encourages the research, study, and initiation of proposals for changes and reforms in all areas of law that may impact the creditor/debtor relationship. The Section aids and educates members and the public by reviewing pending legislation and development of proposed statutory enactments to improve and to facilitate the administration of justice. Section members represent a diverse array of individuals and businesses who are debtors, debtors-in-possession, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, receivers, trustees, asset purchasers, and examiners in all facets of creditor-debtor law.
The Section provides benefits to members by developing resources, including a newsletter and bankruptcy case law digest, and sponsoring several CLEs each year. Since 2004, the Section has maintained an annual grants program to financially assist community service programs statewide that provide legal services in the area of creditor/debtor law.
Annual Report | Budget | Bylaws | Year in Review | Resources | Newsletters
Join Now
NEW! Liens Webinar. Register
Now - In-Person, Webcast
Presented in partnership with the WSBA Creditor and Debtor Rights Section
Join the Creditor/Debtor Rights section for this year’s installment of a helpful and timely program on Liens. Understand some important effects that bankruptcy and the UCC can have on liens and key concepts related to deeds of trust and mortgage. Learn about updates ranging from personal property to construction. Gain tips for writing, perfecting, and effecting liens both for yourself, as practitioner, and for your clients.
When: Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. PT
Credits: 7.0, L&LP 6.25, Ethics 0.75
Tuition:
$245 — Creditor Debtor Rights Section Members;
$275 — Standard/Non-Standard Members
Join the Creditor Debtor Section ($30) and register at the discounted rate ($245)
Faculty:
Michael M. Sperry, Schweet Linde & Coulson, PLLC, Seattle; Matt Green, Green & Norwood, Seattle; Elizabeth Norwood, Green & Norwood, Seattle; Magnus Andersson, Hanson Baker
Ludlow Drumheller PS, Bellevue; Kenneth Weil, Law Office of Kenneth C. Weil, Issaquah; Amit Ranade, Snell & Wilmer LLP, Bellevue; Thomas S. Linde, Schweet Linde & Coulson, PLLC, Seattle; Arthur J. Lachman,
Attorney at Law, Lake Forest Park; John Knapp, Niller Nash LLP, Seattle
Register Online for In-Person Here, and Webcast Here
The Fall 2022 Newsletter Is Out Now!
New! - Creditor Debtor Rights Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
The Creditor Debtor Rights Section recognizes the importance for all individuals to have access to legal services. Many Section members are actively involved in making their expertise available to low-income individuals, both through direct representation
and/or educational programs. While financial constraints and/ or other limitations may deter individuals from seeking legal services, it is important that community services exist to assist with such issues. Established in 2004, the purpose of the
Creditor Debtor Rights Section’s Grant Program is to provide financial assistance to the ongoing operation of community service and legal aid programs.
Deserving organizations are encouraged to complete the current grant application form and submit it to the Grant Program Chair by Nov. 14, 2022. A copy of the application can be found below:
Creditor Debtor Rights Grant Application 2022-2023
Congratulations to the following 2022-2023 grant recipients:
- Chelan-Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services
- Cowlitz Wahkiakum Legal Aid
Executive Committee
Chair: Bruce Medeiros (2022-2024) Chair-Elect: Todd Tracy (2022-2024) Secretary/Treasurer: Jennifer Faubion (2022-2024) Immediate Past Chair: William Malaier (2022-2024) Young Lawyer Liaison*: Nicole Springstroh (2022-2024) Board of Governors Liaison*: Matthew Dresden (2022-2023) and Erik Kaeding (2022-2023) Pos. 1 Eastern District Pos. 2 Eastern District Pos. 3 Northern Division of Western District Pos. 4 King County | Pos. 5 King County Pos. 6 Southern Division of Western District Pos. 7 Southern Division of Western District Pos. 8 Eastern Division At-Large Pos. 9 Western District At-Large Newsletter Editorial Board Members* *Nonvoting member |
Please contact subcommittee member for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.
Join Our List Serve
To join the Section list serve and for general questions, please contact sections@wsba.org. For questions about the Section and to get involved, please contact Section Chair Bruce Medeiros.
Questions?
Feel free to contact any member of the current Section Executive Committee or email sections@wsba.org.