News & Information of Interest to WSBA Members
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2022 LICENSE RENEWAL & SECTIONS INFORMATION
License Renewal
Renew your license, certify MCLE compliance, and join sections online. License renewal must be completed by Feb. 1, 2022, and includes paying the annual license fee and any mandatory assessments, certifying MCLE compliance, completing the trust account declaration, and disclosing professional liability insurance or financial responsibility. A 30 percent late-payment fee will apply if the annual license fee remains unpaid after that date.
Certify MCLE Compliance
If you are in the extended 2018-2021 or 2019-2021 reporting period, then you are due to report CLE credits and certify MCLE compliance. The deadline for completing credits is Dec. 31, 2021. The certification must be completed online or be postmarked or delivered to the WSBA by Feb. 1, 2022. Visit www.wsba.org/MCLE to learn more.
Voluntary Demographic Information
Please update your information at http://www.licensing.wsba.org or contact the Service Center to request a paper form. This information assists the WSBA in understanding the demographic makeup of our licensed legal professionals.
Join a Section or Renew Your Membership
The Section Membership Year is Jan. 1–Dec. 31. Visit www.wsba.org/legal-community/sections/sections to learn more.
License Fee Payment Plan Option Available
If you are experiencing financial challenges, you may contact us about our payment plan option available to all licensed legal professionals. Payments may be made in up to five installments with the balance required to be paid in full by Feb. 1, 2022. A license fee hardship exemption is available for active licensed legal professionals who qualify. Visit www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Pro Bono Status
If you are considering going inactive, pro bono status (formerly known as emeritus pro bono status) is a great alternative that lets you provide pro bono services through a qualified legal services provider. Starting with the 2021 licensing year, the license fee will be waived for pro bono status members who completed at least 30 hours of pro bono service with a qualified legal services provider in the prior year. Visit www.wsba.org/probono to learn more.
Judicial Status
Please note that you are required to inform the Bar within 10 days of your retirement or your ineligibility for judicial status (and you must apply to change to another status or to resign). Visit www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Important Dates
- Dec. 31, 2021: Licensed legal professionals in the extended 2018-2021 and 2019-2021 reporting period must complete required MCLE credits.
- Feb. 1, 2022: Deadline for requesting the License Fee Hardship Exemption.
- Feb. 1, 2022: License renewal, payment(s), and MCLE certification, if applicable, must be completed online or postmarked.
BAR BUZZ
Your Voice Matters
The WSBA is teaming up with the National Business Research Institute (NBRI) to begin an ongoing member survey. Each quarter, a random selection of members will receive an invitation to participate; please be on the lookout for an email from WSBA@nbriresearch.com and respond if you are selected—your feedback will help WSBA leaders prioritize member services and resources and shape strategic goals. NBRI will report all results anonymously.
For more information and survey results (when available), visit www.wsba.org/survey.
WSBA NEWS
Goldmark Award Luncheon
The Legal Foundation of Washington’s (LFW) 36th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon will be a virtual gathering on Feb. 22, 2022, from noon to 1 p.m. Please save the date and join LFW in honoring Annie Lee, executive director and co-founder of TeamChild, with the Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award. All proceeds support civil legal aid for families and youth experiencing poverty in Washington. Register at https://legalfoundation.org.
2022 ABA Awards
Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven González and Justice Helen Whitener will be honored with awards during the American Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting on Feb. 9-14, 2022, in Seattle. Chief Justice González will receive the ABA’s Spirit of Excellence Award and Justice Whitener will receive the ABA’s Stonewall Award. Both awards will be presented at ceremonies on Feb. 12, 2022. For more information, visit www.americanbar.org/groups/departments_offices/meetings_travel_dept/midyear-meeting/.
Receive Notice of Upcoming Board Meetings
Join the 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.
Opportunities to Comment on Proposed Court Rule Amendments
The WSBA encourages members to actively monitor and provide feedback when the Washington Supreme Court is considering amendments to its rules. Keep track of opportunities to comment at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/rules-feedback, or visit the court’s website at www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.proposed.
WSBA Board Feedback
Send your feedback to boardfeedback@wsba.org. Please note that all WSBA emails are subject to public records requests.
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 rachela@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
Check Out DEI Resource Library
The DEI Resource Library is where WSBA members can learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts. There are compiled resource lists, books, and articles on the criminal legal system, identity and intersectionality, microaggressions/bias, and race. Visit www.wsba.org/about-wsba/equity-and-inclusion/dei-resource-library.
Practice Guides Available
Access two practice guides—”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.
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
The WSBA Lending Library is open to members for both in-person and online checkouts. We have made a few changes to be aware of. For more information, visit www.wsba.org/library or email lendinglibrary@wsba.org.
Special Discount on WSBA Career Center Through March 2022
Nonprofit, government, and small-firm employers can post job openings on the WSBA Career Center, https://jobs.wsba.org, at 50 percent of standard rates. This special discount, offered 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 March 31, 2022. Contact Mike Credit at 727-494-6565 Ext 3332 or michael.credit@communitybrands.com for more information.
WSBA MEMBER WELLNESS
Telehealth is Here!
The Member Wellness Program is now offering hi-def, HIPAA-protected video consultations using the telehealth portal Doxy.me. Visit www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness and click “Book Your Initial Consultation” to schedule time with our licensed providers.
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 Washington Unbar Alcoholics Anonymous group for legal professionals has been meeting weekly for almost 30 years. The group meets Wednesdays, 12:15–1:30 p.m., and Sundays, 7–8 p.m. Currently, the group meets online via Zoom, and attorneys from all over Washington participate. For more information and Zoom credentials contact unbarwa@gmail.com.
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. Family law lawyers and LLLTs are especially needed due to a backlog of cases stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/volunteer-opportunities/mmp or email publicservice@wsba.org.
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.
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.
QUICK REFERENCE
Dec. 2021 Usury
The usury rate for December 2021 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the Nov. 1, 2021 auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 0.066%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for December 2021 is 2.066%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for December 2021 is 5.25%
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COVID-19 News to Know
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. Find the guide “Reopening Safely: A Guide for Washington State Law Offices,” at www.wsba.org/docs/reopen.