News & Information of Interest to WSBA Members
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Well-Being Week in Law > On May 10, the Member Wellness Program will host a half-day virtual CLE: Grace and Space: Making Room for Social Connections, Vulnerability, and Boundaries in Your Legal Practice. To learn more and sign up, visit www.wsba.org/wellness.
SAVE THE DATE
Register for the Trial Advocacy Program
The annual WSBA Trial Advocacy Program (TAP), May 8-9, offers a two-day online intensive trial skills training followed by an in-person mock trial. This seminar is appropriate for attorneys working in either the criminal or civil arena with little or no trial experience. Attendees can earn up to 17.25 CLE credits for full participation. Tuition for this program is deeply discounted for new WSBA members. Additionally, WSBA New Member Programs will offer two scholarships for new and young lawyers to attend the 2024 program for free. Learn more at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/wsba-cle/new-member-education.
WSBA NEWS
Proposed Rules of Court Published for Comment
The WSBA encourages members to actively monitor and provide feedback when the Washington Supreme Court is considering any amendments to its rules. Dozens of proposed rule changes are currently published for comment, with some comment periods expiring on Apr. 30. View all opportunities to comment at www.courts.wa.gov/courtrules.
Licensing Suspensions
All licensing and MCLE requirements must be complete and received by 4 p.m. PDT on April 30. If you have not complied by 4 p.m. PDT on April 30, then on May 1 the Washington Supreme Court will receive a recommendation from the WSBA for suspension of your license to practice law (APR 17). Licensing requirements, including MCLE certification, must be completed online at www.licensing.wsba.org. Visit www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Free Postings for Positions in Rural Parts of Washington State
Many rural communities in Washington do not have enough lawyers to meet the legal needs of their residents. In an effort to increase awareness among WSBA members about employment opportunities in rural parts of the state, the WSBA and the Career Center are offering free 30-day postings of jobs for legal professionals in “rural” areas, defined as: “any job not in Thurston, Clark, Pierce, King, Snohomish, Spokane, and Whatcom counties, with the proviso that if the job is in a town of 5,000 or less within said county, it may also be posted for free.” To determine eligibility for a free posting, please contact memberbenefits@wsba.org with “RURAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY” in the subject line.
Work at the WSBA
The WSBA is hiring! A new opening was recently listed for general counsel, who serves as director of the Office of General Counsel Department and as a member of the WSBA Executive Leadership Team. Visit www.wsba.org/career-center/work-at-the-wsba for all of our current openings and to apply.
Help Fill the Moderate Means Legal Need
The statewide Moderate Means Program serves moderate income clients through a network of attorneys and limited license legal technicians who offer assistance in family, housing, consumer, and unemployment law cases at reduced fees scaled to the client’s income. There is an urgent need for legal professionals to serve. Visit www.wsba.org/connect-serve/pro-bono-public-service/mmp for more information and join now through your myWSBA account, www.mywsba.org.
Engage With WSBA Leaders
The Member Engagement Council, which seeks member input and involvement in decision-making processes, wants to hear from you! The first agenda item of each meeting (the first Thursday of each month from 1-3 p.m. via Zoom) is reserved for member comments. All topics are welcome. Visit the events calendar at www.wsba.org for more information.
Follow Board Meetings and Submit Feedback
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. Send your feedback to boardfeedback@wsba.org. Please note that all WSBA emails are subject to public records requests.
VOLUNTEER
Legal Clinic Volunteers Needed
A free legal clinic put on by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, the King County Bar Association, and El Centro de la Raza is looking for attorney volunteers interested in doing pro bono work. The clinic takes place from 6-8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month through November 2024 at El Centro de la Raza in Beacon Hill (2524 16th Ave. S, Seattle, 3rd Floor). Volunteers provide general consultations in areas of the law including immigration, family law, auto accidents, personal injury, worker’s rights/wage claims, tenant rights, and criminal law. For more information, email clinics@lbaw.org.
RESOURCES
IOLTA FAQs
Have questions about trust accounts? Check out the new IOLTA FAQs to learn important information about such topics as unidentified owners and unclaimed property, recordkeeping, disbursements, general banking, reconciliation, and more. Find the FAQs at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/practice-management-assistance/iolta-faqs.
Check Out the 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.
WSBA Membership Counts
Did you know that the WSBA publishes membership statistics—including total count by license type, location, year of admission, practice type, and certain demographics—refreshed each month as part of the Who We Are page? Visit www.wsba.org/docs/default-source/licensing/membership-info-data/countdemo_20190801.pdf, or you can search “WSBA demographics” on any search engine to easily get to the right webpage.
Virtual Career Guidance Group
This free group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. This is a chance to receive guidance on your résumé, informational interviewing, applying for positions, and where you see yourself in your legal career. This group is led by Dan Crystal, Psy.D. Sign up at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/group-sessions.
Software and Services for Your Practice
As a member of the WSBA, you have access to the Practice Management Discount Network, a collection of discounts on products and services to help you improve your law practice. We offer discounts on conflict-checking, credit-card processing, encryption, cybersecurity, document editing, document management, e-discovery, marketing and website support, office supplies, practice management software, remote receptionists, and retirement planning. Learn more and access your discounts today at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/practice-management-discount-network.
Free Practice-Management Consultations
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.
WSBA MEMBER WELLNESS
Pathways to Productivity
Presented in collaboration with the WSBA’s Practice Management Assistance Program, this free group meets via Zoom every other week for six sessions, noon–1 p.m., Feb. 7–April 17. We will continue offering additional six-week-long groups later in the year. If you’re a legal professional navigating productivity challenges in the workplace, this group is tailored for you. Learn more and sign up at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/group-sessions.
Virtual Mental Health Support Group
The free group, Healing Minds: Managing Persistent or Overwhelming Challenges to One’s Well-Being as a Lawyer, led by WSBA staff Adely Ruiz, LSWAIC, and Dan Crystal, Psy.D, meets every other Thursday from 1-2 p.m. Learn more and sign up at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/wellness/group-sessions.
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 regularly 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.
Health Benefits
The WSBA Private Health Insurance Exchange offers members access to the most competitive group health insurance solutions on the market. Enjoy unique cost-saving opportunities, complimentary enrollment technology, valuable HR tools, and voluntary premier-level ancillary benefits with special pricing and concessions. Speak to a benefits counselor and request a free quote today: www.memberbenefits.com/wsba.
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 COMMUNITY NETWORKING
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
April 2024 Usury
The usury rate for April 2024 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the March 4, 2024, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 5.313%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for March 2024 is 7.313%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for March 2024 is 10.50%.