The WSBA Board of Governors determines the Bar’s general policies and approves its annual budget
MORE ONLINE > The agenda, materials, and video recording from this Board of Governors meeting, as well as past meetings, are online here: www.wsba.org/about-wsba/who-we-are/board-of-governors.
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May 2-3, 2024
TOP MEETING TAKEAWAYS
Congratulations to Newly Elected Officers and Board Members
The Board elected WSBA Treasurer and District 5 Governor Francis Adewale as incoming president-elect, to assume the presidency in fiscal year 2026, and Parvin Price as incoming District 1 Governor (because no one applied for the District 1 opening during the member-election process in March, the Board appointed the position for a one-year term).
No More Resident Agent Requirement?
Based on member feedback and staff research on the history and purpose of the rule, the Board is asking the Washington Supreme Court to amend the Admission and Practice Rules (APR) to eliminate the requirement that members who do not have a physical street address in Washington state designate an in-state resident agent to accept service of process.
Local Hero
The WSBA recognized Bob Schultz as a Local Hero, an honor bestowed by the WSBA president in partnership with county bar associations to recognize colleagues who make noteworthy contributions to their communities. Schultz was nominated by the Benton-Franklin Counties Bar for his decades-long effort to uphold equity and justice through his work representing people who have suffered catastrophic injuries, his dedication to the area’s legal aid program, and his widespread community service.
Positive Financial Outlook
The Board approved the 2024 budget reforecast, which is a mid-year financial update to account for actual expenditures and revenues. The reforecast shows a positive variance of about $130,000 compared to the original budget forecast.
Out-of-State Representation on the Board of Governors
Currently, out-of-state members are eligible to vote in WSBA Board of Governor elections for at-large positions and for the district position in which their resident agent resides, or the district of their primary Washington practice. With the Board’s recommendation to remove the resident agent requirement (see No. 2, above), there was a discussion about how to adjust WSBA Bylaws pertaining to voting and representation for out-of-state members. The Board asked for a slate of options, which could include a designated out-of-state position on the Board of Governors, to be presented at a future meeting for consideration. The WSBA will seek input from out-of-state members on the options.
Public Engagement Plan
Recognizing the steep decline in trust in the legal system and many other institutions that are cornerstones of our democracy, the Board approved a two-part public engagement plan to increase awareness of and confidence in the rule of law. First, public ambassadorship will now be included in the Board members’ official roles and responsibilities. Second, the WSBA will create a volunteer ambassador program with tools and resources to help members speak in their own communities about the importance of the legal system. Stay tuned for more information as that ambassador program is developed; if you are interested in being an ambassador, contact saran@wsba.org.
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The Board also:
- Increased application fees for admission to practice law (the fees an applicant pays to begin the admissions process to the WSBA, not annual license fees) for the first time since 2009. The fee changes were necessary to ensure the WSBA admissions cost center is self-sustaining.
- Voted to recommend to the Supreme Court a change to APR 3 that would allow an out-of-state lawyer to apply for admission by motion after practicing for one year, as opposed to the currently required three years. This change was approved by the Supreme Court when it adopted recommendations from the Bar Licensure Task Force; the court tasked the WSBA with writing the corresponding APR change.
- Approved a revamped strategic planning process that creates ongoing development of a three-year strategic plan with meaningful participation from stakeholders.
- Approved a succession plan and process for when the executive director’s contract ends.
- Held a second read of a policy to guide the WSBA’s administration of Supreme Court boards. The policy will come back for possible action in July.
- Heard a report from the Limited License Legal Technician Board.
- Voted to recommend to the Supreme Court changes to APR 3 to modify qualifications for applicants who have a law degree from a non-ABA approved law school to sit for the bar exam. The changes would allow an individual with an LL.M. degree in any subject (as opposed to a specific LL.M. degree for the practice of law) to supplement their LL.M. degree with additional instruction needed to meet the minimum instruction in principles of domestic United States law to qualify to sit for the bar exam.
SAVE THE DATE > The next regular meeting is July 17-18, 2024 in Nespelem. To subscribe to the Board Meeting Notification list, email barleaders@wsba.org.