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
Criminal Law Section
The Criminal Law Section seeks the participation of the Bar, including prosecutors and defense counsel, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas in the areas of criminal law, correction, procedure, and evidence. The section works with pending legislation and development of statutory enactments to improve and facilitate the administration of justice within the criminal arena.
With an equal number of defense and prosecuting attorney positions, the executive board champions the rights of both the accused and victims in the criminal justice system. Activities include publishing a newsletter, as well as assisting with the Criminal Law Institute.
Annual Report | Budget | Bylaws | Year in Review
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The Latest Criminal Caselaw Notebook for Free
As a benefit to Criminal Law Section members, download the Criminal Caselaw Notebook 2021, prepared by the Hon. Ron Kessler. If you are having trouble accessing the documents, contact sections@wsba.org.
Newsletters
Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.
Executive Committee
Terms run Oct. 1, 2021–Sept. 30, 2022, unless otherwise noted
Chair: Josephine Townsend
Chair-Elect: Dale Slack
Secretary/Treasurer: Dan LeBeau
Young Lawyer Liaison*: vacant
Board of Governors Liaison*: Alec Stephens (2021-2022)
Committee Members
|
Representing Defense
Mark E. Vovos (2021-2024) |
Representing Prosecution
Anita Petra (2019–2022) |
Meetings
The Executive Committee of the Criminal Law Section conducts meetings from time to time. As meetings are scheduled, details will appear in the events section of this page.
Please contact committee member for any other details on their upcoming meetings and locations.
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 the section chair, Josephine Townsend .
