Court Rules and Procedures Committee
Number of members: 28
What does your group do?
Each year, the Court Rules and Procedures Committee reviews specific sets of court rules under a schedule established by the Washington Supreme Court. This year, the committee is reviewing the Evidence Rules and Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction, and next year will review the Mandatory Arbitration Rules, Civil Rules for Superior Courts, and Civil Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction. Proposed rule changes may be submitted for review by committee members or outside stakeholders and are discussed and vetted by subcommittees for submission to the full committee. If the full committee approves the proposed amendments, they are forwarded to the WSBA Board of Governors. If approved by the Board, they are forwarded to the Supreme Court for posting for comment and final action.
On average, how many hours do you think group members dedicate to the work of this group (both during and to prepare for any meetings)?
The number of hours varies depending on the issues facing the committee. Some months only require one or two hours. Much of the work occurs in subcommittees. If the subcommittee is active or is dealing with a complex rule proposal, the time can increase to about five to 10 hours during the busiest months.
QUOTE:
This is my second time serving on this committee, and I have found it quite interesting and rewarding. It is one of the few places where, if you have seen a rule that needs tweaking, either because it is outdated or didn’t envision a certain scenario, you can raise the issue with this committee and work with brilliant lawyers representing a cross section of the Bar. Proposals that have been drafted and edited by the committee are now rules enforced by the courts.
— Paul Crisalli, chair
Environmental and Land Use Law Section Executive Committee
Number of members: 11
What does your group do?
The Environmental and Land Use Law (ELUL) Section supports the interchange of ideas surrounding environmental and land use law, helping members keep up with these rapidly developing areas of law. Accordingly, it regularly publishes information via its blog, which provides analyses of fundamental and emerging environmental and land use law issues. During the legislative session, the ELUL Section shares regular legislative updates about relevant bills.
The Section hosts an annual midyear CLE and mini-CLEs throughout the year. The Section also provides scholarships and hosts networking events for law students.
On average, how many hours do you think group members dedicate to the work of this group (both during and to prepare for any meetings)?
Four to 10 hours per month, on average, depending on your Executive Committee position and status of planning for upcoming ELUL Section-sponsored events.
QUOTE:
I started volunteering on the ELUL Executive Committee as a brand-new attorney in this field (and in Washington) in the hopes of building new connections and getting to know the environmental and land use bar. The ELUL Section provides an amazing service to its members including regular networking opportunities, law school and young attorney outreach, as well as tangible learning opportunities like legal and legislative updates and CLEs. I’m beyond impressed by the experience, dedication, friendliness, and collaboration of this committee and am thrilled to be a part of it.
— Gabby Gurian, executive committee member
Client Protection Board
Number of members: 13: 11 lawyers, two public members
What does your group do?
Per Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 15, the Client Protection Board (CPB) reviews claims for reimbursement of financial loss sustained by clients of WSBA members who have engaged in dishonest actions or failed to account for client funds. The CPB decides on gifts up to $25,000, and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors on claims for greater amounts, with the maximum gift of $150,000. The CPB reviews approximately 80 to 100 applications for reimbursement per year.
On average, how many hours do you think group members dedicate to the work of this group (both during and to prepare for any meetings)?
Depending on the number of applications, our board members spend two to three hours preparing for each meeting.
QUOTES:
I am so grateful. Through your help, this very long nightmare is at an end. There are no words to express my gratitude. Just none. Thank you is so insignificant. … Please know you have made so many of our lives better and helped me, at least, heal from an awful situation.
— Client who received a financial gift from the Client Protection Fund
This board works hard to be consistent with decision-making regarding gifts. Everyone on the board has experience and perspective, which is invaluable when reviewing and discussing the applications. We learn from each other while helping the community.
— Carrie Umland, chair
Member Engagement Council
Number of members: 12
What does your group do?
The Member Engagement Council educates members in a proactive manner about the WSBA’s and the Board of Governors’ actions and work, seeks input and involves members in decisions, builds relationships between members and WSBA governance, and ensures ongoing updates to members on WSBA processes and measurement of the success of those processes. The council creates mutual understanding between the Board and members; drives Board priorities; forms relationships with WSBA Sections, specialty, minority, and regional bars; and shares opportunities. The council serves as an advisory body to the Board of Governors as set forth in the WSBA Bylaws.
On average, how many hours do you think group members dedicate to the work of this group (both during and to prepare for any meetings)?
Members dedicate about four hours per month overall. The group meets for 90 minutes over Zoom each month, and members spend the rest of the time reviewing materials to prepare for meetings. The co-chairs spend an additional 1–2 hours to set each agenda. Ad hoc work groups sometimes meet between meetings to collaborate on tasks like drafting survey questions.
QUOTE:
The council provides an opportunity to engage with members from all across the state. You get to hear about the thrills, successes, and challenges of legal practice in diverse places and communities. The added opportunity to propose ideas and suggestions to the Board of Governors on the endemic challenges and struggles faced by legal practitioners statewide is quite rewarding. We also do frequent surveys of our members to find out what they need to do their job and how the Bar Association can serve them better.
— Francis Adewale, co-chair
Law Clerk Board
Number of members: 11
What does your group do?
Law Clerk Board members have the opportunity to oversee this unique program. Law Clerk Board members serve as liaisons to numerous clerk/tutor pairs. Board members attend bi-monthly meetings, review monthly exam submissions from clerks, interview applicants for enrollment and course of study, provide input for clerk/tutor first- and fourth-year evaluations, and certify clerks upon completion of the program for their eligibility to apply to sit for the Washington lawyer bar exam.
On average, how many hours do you think group members dedicate to the work of this group (both during and to prepare for any meetings)?
The Board of the Admission and Practice Rule (APR) 6 Program provides primary oversight of all law clerks throughout the state as well as providing support to tutors, evaluating and approving applications to the program, and doing community outreach to raise awareness about the Law Clerk Program. As the current chair of the board, I probably devote five to 10 hours per month to my role between board meetings and communications and review of clerks.
QUOTE:
As an attorney who completed the APR 6 Program as well as a Law Clerk Board member who has chosen to renew my term of service over the years, I think that this is a vital program to providing a path to legal service to folks who might not have access to traditional law school but are making incredibly important contributions to our legal community. It’s an honor and a pleasure to volunteer to keep this great program going strong.
— Emily Mowrey, chair
HOW TO APPLY: The WSBA Volunteer Application is now open. To access the application, log in to your myWSBA account (www.mywsba.org). Scroll down, and on the left-hand side of the screen you will find a link to the Volunteer Application under “Connect & Serve.” If you have questions about eligibility, open positions, or the status of your application, or if you’re not sure where you’d like to volunteer, visit www.wsba.org/volunteer or email barleaders@wsba.org.