News & Information of Interest to WSBA Members
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THE BAR BUZZ
WSBA CLE Summer Sale Runs July 27 – Aug. 17
Take advantage of the last chance in 2021 to save 50 percent on over 500 on-demand CLEs in most major practice areas (plus ethics) in MP3 or video format. On-demand seminars can satisfy all your required CLE credits, and you can access them for three years from the date of the live seminar. Watch or listen when it’s convenient for you. Go to www.wsbacle.org.
WSBA NEWS
Supreme Court Rules Changes: Malpractice Insurance Disclosure and MCLE
On June 4, the Washington Supreme Court adopted two rule changes that will affect many lawyers. The first, an amendment to RPC 1.4—Communication—submitted by the WSBA, requires mandatory disclosure to and consent from clients if lawyers do not meet minimum levels of malpractice insurance coverage; the second, an amendment to APR 11—Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)—submitted by the MCLE Board, specifies that one of the required ethics credits be in the category of equity, inclusion, and bias mitigation. The WSBA is creating resources to help members navigate these new requirements; look for more information soon. The orders can be found at www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.scorders.
Comment on Proposed Amendments to Discipline Procedural Rules
By request of the WSBA Board of Governors, the Washington Supreme Court has extended the comment period through July 29, 2021, for proposed amendments to the rules governing the discipline and incapacity systems for all license types. Visit http://bit.ly/proposedamendments to learn more and provide your feedback.
New WSBA Small Town and Rural Committee
The WSBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the formation of the Small Town and Rural (STAR) Committee to assess, evaluate, and implement initiatives to support and sustain the practice of law and access to justice in Washington’s rural communities. Visit www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/small-town-and-rural-committee. For questions or to indicate your interest in getting involved, contact barleaders@wsba.org.
Access to Justice Conference
The COVID-19 crisis revealed and deepened existing inequalities and a growing national conversation about systemic racism. To meet the demands of this moment, the 2021 Access to Justice Conference will highlight the work of non-legal community-based organizations and provide the opportunity for community advocates and legal professionals to build partnerships to advance justice. Find more information and register at http://allianceforequaljustice.org/accesstojusticeconference.
MCLE Reporting
MCLE certification has opened early for lawyers, LLLTs, and LPOs in the extended 2018-2021 and the 2019-2021 MCLE reporting periods. Licensed legal professionals in these reporting periods must earn their CLE credits by Dec. 31, 2021, and certify by Feb. 1, 2022. For more information visit www.wsba.org/mcle, or if you have any questions, please reach out to the MCLE team at 206-733-5987 or mcle@wsba.org.
WSBA Board Feedback
Send your feedback to the newly created email address: boardfeedback@wsba.org. Please note that all WSBA emails are subject to public records requests.
Receive Notice of Upcoming Board Meetings
Join the new Board meeting notice subscription list to receive WSBA Board of Governors meeting notices straight to your inbox! To join, email barleaders@wsba.org or complete the form at www.wsba.org/about-wsba/who-we-are/board-of-governors.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteer with the Lawyer Discipline System
Learn more about volunteering as an adjunct disciplinary counsel (ADC). ADCs assist as needed in carrying out the functions of the lawyer discipline system pursuant to Rule 2.9 of the Rules for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct. An ADC must have been an active lawyer or judicial member of the WSBA for at least seven years at the time of appointment. Appointment is for a five-year term. Visit www.wsba.org/adc-panel or contact theaj@wsba.org to learn more.
Custodians Needed
The WSBA is seeking interested lawyers as potential volunteer custodians of files and records to protect clients’ interests. Visit www.wsba.org/connect-serve/volunteer-opportunities/act-as-custodian, or contact Sandra Schilling: sandras@wsba.org, 206-239-2118, 800-945-9722, ext. 2118; or Darlene Neumann: darlenen@wsba.org, 206-733-5923, 800-945-9722, ext. 5923.
Volunteers Needed as Attorney Advocates
Unique opportunity to assist families or individuals in crisis by serving as a volunteer attorney advocate on the first-ever national advocacy hotline. Work from home or office at times you choose with hotline calls routed there. Resolution is typically achieved in under an hour. The nonprofit Help Now! Advocacy has assisted at no fee over 8,700 clients, mostly in Oregon, over the past 17 years. The organization is expanding its unique services to a national scope through the hotline. Contact LMKahn@HelpNowAdvocacy.org for more information.
RESOURCES
Two Practice Guides Available
Access ”The Law Firm Guide to Document Retention” and “The Law Firm Guide to Disaster Planning and Recovery” as well as other law firm guides and templates at www.wsba.org/guides.
Information for Job Seekers and Employers
Visit the WSBA Career Center to view or post job openings at https://jobs.wsba.org. The special discounted rate for nonprofit, government, and small-firm employers, to prevent pricing from becoming a barrier as the legal community continues to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, has been extended through Dec. 31. Contact Mike Credit at 727-494-6565, ext. 3332, or michael.credit@communitybrands.com for more information.
Career Consultation
Get help with your résumé, networking tips, and more—www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/consultation—or email wellness@wsba.org.
Free Consultations and Practice-Management Assistance
The WSBA offers free resources and education on practice management issues. For more information, visit www.wsba.org/pma. You can also schedule a free phone consultation with a WSBA practice-management advisor. Visit www.wsba.org/consult to get started.
Lending Library
Due to the COVID-19-related closure of the WSBA office, the WSBA Lending Library is closed. Visit www.wsba.org/library for more information.
Free Legal Research Tools
The WSBA offers resources and member benefits to help you with your research. Visit www.wsba.org/legalresearch to learn more and to access Casemaker and Fastcase for free.
ETHICS
Ethics Line
Members facing ethical dilemmas can talk with WSBA professional responsibility counsel for informal guidance. Learn more at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/ethics/ethics-line or call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284.
WSBA Advisory Opinions
WSBA advisory opinions are available online at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/ethics/about-advisory-opinions. For assistance, call the Ethics Line at 206-727-8284.
WSBA MEMBER WELLNESS
Judges Need Help Too
The Judicial Assistance and Services Program (JASP) provides confidential support for judges, or those who are concerned about a judge. Contact Susanna Kanther, Psy.D., at 415-572-3803. Visit www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/judicial-assistance-service-program.
The ‘Unbar’ Alcoholics Anonymous Group
The Unbar is an “open” AA group for attorneys that has been meeting weekly for over 25 years. Due to COVID-19, the group is holding virtual meetings via Zoom; contact them at unbarwa@gmail.com. You can also find more details at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/addiction-resources.
WSBA COMMUNITY NETWORKING
Sign Up for Low Bono
The Moderate Means Program connects moderate income clients with family, housing, consumer law, and unemployment cases to legal professionals who offer reduced fees. Find out more here: www.wsba.org/connect-serve/volunteer-opportunities/mmp.
Join the New Lawyers List Serve
This list serve is a discussion platform for new lawyers of the WSBA. To join, email newmembers@wsba.org.
ALPS Attorney Match
Attorney Match is a free online networking tool made available through the WSBA endorsed professional liability partner, ALPS. Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/mentorship/find-your-mentor, or email mentorlink@wsba.org.
QUICK REFERENCE
July 2021 Usury
The usury rate for July 2021 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the June 7, 2021, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 0.041%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for July 2021 is 2.041%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for July 2021 is 5.25%.
HAVE SOMETHING NEWSWORTHY TO SHARE? Email wabarnews@wsba.org if you have an item you would like to place in Need to Know.
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COVID-19 News to Know
WSBA COVID-19 Resource Webpage
All WSBA resources, including member support, law firm management, free CLEs and webinars, information about Washington courts, opportunities to help, and resources for the public can be found here: www.wsba.org/COVID-19.
Court Emergency Operations & Closures
The Washington Supreme Court has published a COVID-19 response page, which is a compilation of its emergency orders and court modifications: www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/index.cfm?fa=newsinfo.COVID19.
Law Office Reopening Guide
The WSBA Coronavirus Response Task Force compiled recommendations for how to safely reopen a law office in Washington. Find the guide “Reopening Safely: A Guide for Washington State Law Offices,” at www.wsba.org/docs/reopen.