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.
WSBA Sections are currently seeking section members to fill openings on their section executive committees for terms beginning Oct. 1, 2021. 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 offers its members numerous opportunities to stay current on relevant legal issues, comment on legislation, and participate in pro bono activities.
Section members represent a diverse array of individuals and businesses working as debtors, debtors-in-possession, secured and unsecured creditors, creditors' committees, receivers, trustees, asset purchasers, and examiners in all facets of creditor-debtor law.
On this site you can find links to additional information concerning the Section, including administration and governance; seminars, such as The Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute and the Pacific Northwest's premier seminar for insolvency counsel (cosponsored with the Oregon State Bar); Section projects, such as the annual grant award to associations that promote the mission of the Section; and legislative updates and news.
Annual Report | Budget | Bylaws | Year in Review | Resources
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Grants Program Open for Applications Through Nov. 1
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 CD 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. A copy of the application can be found below:
Comments Request: Proposed Receivership Act Revisions
The current Washington Receivership Act was enacted in 2004. After 15 years of practice under the Act, the Creditor Debtor Section convened a Receivership Task Force to review the current Washington Receivership Act and to propose possible amendments to the Act based upon practice experience.
The Receivership Task Force represented all constituencies in the receivership process and was comprised of Aimee Willig (Seattle), Barry Davidson (Spokane), Dominique Scalia (Seattle), Douglas Cameron (Seattle), Jennifer Faubion (Seattle), Kevin Hanchett (Seattle) and Shelly Ripley (Spokane), Steven Reilly (Seattle).
After several meetings, the Task Force has drafted proposed amendments to the Washington Receivership Act.
Proposed Amendment to RCW 61.24.030
Proposed Amendment to RCW 7.60.130 (Cannabis Cases)
Proposed Amendment to RCW 7.60 Receivers
If you have any comments on the proposed amendments, please forward them to Todd Tracy at todd@thetracylawgroup.com or 1601 Fifth Ave., Suite 610, Seattle, WA, 98101. Comments should be received by Dec. 31, 2020.
Grants Program
Historically, the CD Section has allocated a meaningful portion of its net revenue (derived primarily from its CLE sponsorship and production efforts) to fund grants to non-profits operating in the arena of consumer protection and insolvency law. The amount of money offered each year varies with the budget cycle.
Congratulations to the following 2019–2020 grant recipients:
- Chelan-Douglas County Volunteer Attorney Services
- Lavender Rights Project
Executive Committee
Officers serve two-year terms.
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Chair: William Malaier, Jr. (2020-2022) Chair-Elect: Bruce Medeiros (2020-2022) Secretary/Treasurer: Todd Tracy (2020-2022) Immediate Past Chair: Kevin O'Rourke (2020-2022) Young Lawyer Liaison*: vacant Board of Governors Liaison*: Matthew Dresden 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 William Malaier, Jr.
Questions?
Feel free to contact any member of the current Section Executive Committee or email sections@wsba.org.
