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, 2023, 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
Litigation Section
The Litigation Section strives to be the voice of civil litigators practicing in Washington state. The section is involved in a wide range of activities that interest those who handle civil matters in superior or federal courts.
The Section sponsors a mentorship program that matches law students and young attorneys with experienced litigators, an annual midyear trial skills seminar, scholarships, panel discussion, and social events for Washington law students interested in litigation, and an annual dinner meeting between the Supreme Court and the Section Executive Committee. The Section reviews and provides formal input on pending legislation, development of proposed statutory enactments, and court rules to improve and facilitate the administration of justice from the perspective of practicing litigators.
Annual Report | Budget | Bylaws | Year in Review | Elections
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Page Navigation
The Litigation Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.
Upcoming ProgramsRecorded ProgramsLitigation Mentorship Program | NewsletterExecutive CommitteeExecutive Committee Meetings |
Upcoming Programs
Application Portal for Executive Committee Elections Open!
Election season is here! If you are interested in applying to serve on your section's executive committee, head over to the Litigation Section Election Page to see a list of open positions and how to apply.
If you have any questions, please email sections@wsba.org.
NEW Discussion! Discussing "Civility and the Law," with the Honorable Michelle L. Peterson
Join fellow litigators for an exclusive networking opportunity featuring the Honorable Michelle L. Peterson, discussing "Civility and the Law" - exploring professional courtesy in today's challenging legal landscape. Connect with colleagues while enjoying light hors d'oeuvres and drinks in a collaborative atmosphere.
Space is limited to the first 100 attendees, so early registration is encouraged.
When: May 22, 2025
Time: 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. PDT
Where: K&L Gates, 925 Fourth Ave., Suite 2900, Seattle
RSVP Required. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to enhance your professional network and gain judicial insights.
For questions or more information, please email Janelle Elysee at janelle.elysee@bracewell.com or Rob Wilke at rwilke@gth-law.com.
Recorded Programs
Local Rules: Pitfalls and Practice Pointers
Local Rules: Pitfalls and Practice Pointers (posted with permission from presenters Bil Childress, Gravis Law, Spokane, WA; Janelle Elysee, Bracewell LLP, Seattle, WA; Ian Leifer, Gordon Thomas Honeywell LLP, Tacoma, WA; Robert C. Wilke, Gordon Thomas Honeywell LLP, Tacoma, WA.) Webinar recorded Oct. 15, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: You will not receive CLE credit for listening to this recording.
Litigation Section Mentorship Program
The WSBA Litigation Section Executive Committee is proud to announce the development of a mentorship program for current Litigation Section members. This new member benefit will help facilitate a connection between emerging and experienced professionals in their civil litigation practice.
Mentor and mentee applications are accepted throughout the year.
Complete the Mentee Application.
Complete the Mentor Application.
Please mail or email your completed application to the named attorney in the second paragraph of the application.
The Litigation Section Mentorship program will match mentors and mentees together using the criteria indicated in the application forms. Mentors and mentees are encouraged to use the resources and guides provided by the WSBA found here to select the desired structure for the ongoing dialogue between mentor and mentee.
If you have any questions about this, please contact sections@wsba.org.
Newsletter
The newest issue of the Litigation Section Newsletter is out! Read the Winter 2024/25 Newsletter now!
Executive Committee
Chair: Tiffany Wilke (2024-2025) Chair-Elect: Vacant (2024-2025) Immediate Past Chair: Rob Wilke (2024-2025) Secretary/Treasurer: Janelle Elysee (2024-2025) Young Lawyer Liaison: Matthew Audish (2023-2025) Board of Governors Liaison*: Allison Widney (2024-2025) | At-Large Members: Mike Brandenberg (2022-2025) *Nonvoting member |
Meetings
Please contact committee members for details on their upcoming meetings.
Join Our List Serve
For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact Section Chair Susan Nelson. To join our list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org.
