News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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Pilot Test of Entity Regulation > Technology is quickly changing the legal landscape, including the way online companies and innovative business models are delivering legal services to the public. It’s happening already and will undoubtedly expand in prevalence and sophistication in the coming years. To better understand the opportunities and threats presented by these emerging technologies—in terms of safety, quality, and access to legal help for Washingtonians—the WSBA and the Practice of Law Board are proposing a pilot test of entity regulation to the Washington Supreme Court. The pilot would allow entities to apply to offer legal services in Washington under carefully monitored, timebound conditions. At the end of the pilot, the court would consider the accumulated data to determine whether to move forward with a more permanent process for entity regulation. Want to learn more? Visit www.wsba.org/pilot-project. We want to hear from you: Send comments to entityregulationpilot@wsba.org.
WSBA NEWS
Comment on Proposed Changes to Public Defense Standards
The Washington Supreme Court is seeking input on proposed changes to the court’s adopted standards for public defense. The proposed new standards would lower the maximum caseloads for public defense attorneys, revise some qualification requirements for public defense attorneys, set minimum support staffing requirements for public defense attorneys and offices, and align with the new indigent defense standards adopted by the WSBA in March. The public comment period is open through Oct. 31. Send your comments to supreme@courts.wa.gov or P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, WA 98504-0929. To learn more, visit www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=50456.
Spanish Language Access to the Lawyer Grievance Process
Please help spread the word: Information, directions, forms, and telephone interpreters are now available in Spanish for anyone who would like to contact the state bar with a concern about the ethical conduct of a lawyer. Spanish speakers can click “En Español” on the top menu bar at http://www.wsba.org to learn more. If you would like flyers to post or cards to hand out to potentially interested people or organizations to spread awareness, please contact questions@wsba.org. This is a pilot project that the WSBA hopes to expand to more languages soon. Visit www.wsba.org/for-the-public/concerns-about-a-lawyer/preocupaciones-por-un-abogado.
Work at the WSBA
The WSBA is hiring! 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.
VOLUNTEER
Northwest Justice Project Board of Directors
The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting applications to appoint three attorney members to the Northwest Justice Project (NJP) Board of Directors. Appointments are for a term of three years. This is an extraordinary opportunity for accomplished individuals who are passionate about the struggle for equal justice and who are committed to ensuring low-income people in Washington have access to high-quality civil legal assistance and representation. For more information, please contact NJP Deputy Director Hickory Gateless, hickory.gateless@nwjustice.org, or Board Development Committee Chair Sean Waite, seanhwaite@gmail.com. To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé to barleaders@wsba.org by Sept. 20. Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/volunteer-with-wsba/volunteer-as-a-wsba-representative.
Be a Judge for UW In-House Competitions
The University of Washington School of Law hosts three in-house competitions during the school year and seeks local attorneys and judges to evaluate, score, and give feedback to the student competitors. If you are interested in judging the negotiation, mock-trial, and/or appellate advocacy competitions, please email trialad@uw.edu. Find out more at www.law.uw.edu/academics/experiential-learning/moot-court.
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
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 the first Thursday of every month 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
September 2024 Usury
The usury rate for Sept. 2024 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the Aug. 5, 2024, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 4.881%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for Sept. 2024 is 6.881%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for Sept. 2024 is 10.50%.