The WSBA Board of Governors determines the Bar’s general policies and approves its annual budget
The agenda, materials, and video recording from this Board of Governors meeting (held in Walla Walla), as well as past meetings, are online here: www.wsba.org/bog.
SIDEBAR
APR 3 Amended
On June 5, 2025, the Washington Supreme Court issued an order amending Admission and Practice Rule 3 to reduce the active legal experience requirement for admission by motion to one year within the last three yearsand to reduce barriers for military lawyer spouses who are seeking admission by motion. The changes will be effective on Sept. 1, 2025.
This change comes as part of the Washington Bar Licensure Task Force recommendations, which include creating new pathways to lawyer licensure. More information can be found at http://www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/join-the-legal-profession-in-wa/lawyers/pathways.
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July 18, 2025
TOP MEETING TAKEAWAYS
Incoming Treasurer. Congratulations to Governor Nam Nguyen, whom the Board elected as the WSBA’s next treasurer for fiscal year 2026.
Expanding the License Fee Exemption Based on Financial Need. The Board discussed a proposal that will expand the current license fee hardship exemption in three ways: 1) increase the number of times a member is eligible for the hardship exemption from two to three; 2) raise the eligibility threshold from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 270 percent of the federal poverty level; and 3) change the name from “Hardship Exemption” to “License Fee and Assessment Exemption Based on Financial Need.” The Board expects to vote on this proposal in September.
Local Hero. The WSBA recognized retired prosecutor James Nagel 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. Nagel was nominated by the Walla Walla County Bar Association for his almost four decades of service to the prosecutor’s office as well as his longtime volunteerism with the local Kiwanis Club and Walla Walla County Fire District 4.
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and License Fee Policy. The Board of Governors discussed the first draft of next fiscal year’s budget, which is built on a $10 increase in the active-attorney annual license fee (the first increase since 2020) to maintain regulatory programs and services. The Board also approved a policy and process they will use now and in the future for setting the annual license fee: A market factor (COLA) will be considered each year to ensure the license fee is keeping track with the changing value of the dollar; then the Board will adjust the fee, depending on anticipated changes in revenues, expenses, reserve funds, and program needs.
Bylaw Amendment to Young Lawyer Title and Definition. The Board supported a recommendation from the Washington Young Lawyer Committee (WYLC) that would change the WSBA Bylaws in two ways: The term “young lawyer” would change to “new member,” and a “new member” would include any member within their first 10 years of licensure in Washington state. The current definition encompasses only the lawyer license type with an eligibility cap of 36 years of age or five years of practice in Washington. The WYLC’s recommendations are the result of years of research, surveying, and discussion about how to expand the committee’s eligibility parameters to include all members who might most benefit from its programs and services. The proposal will now go to the Supreme Court for consideration.
Policy Change to Allow Sections to Purchase Alcohol. The Board approved a change to the WSBA fiscal policy to allow sections to use section funds to purchase alcohol at their events. The recommendation came from the WSBA’s Member Engagement Council, which was responding to considerable feedback and requests from sections.
Revised Legislative Policy and Procedures. The Board considered a recommendation to amend the WSBA’s policies regarding legislative activities to align with evolving interpretations of relevant rules and case law. The recommendation, from the Board Legislative Committee, consolidates current legislative policies and distinguishes WSBA legislative activity from law-improvement, when WSBA members respond to lawmakers on technical aspects of proposed bills. The Board expects to take action on the proposal in September.
The Board also:
- Held a moment of silence to honor and remember the late retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Charles K. Wiggins.
- Held a strategic planning retreat the day prior to the business meeting.
- Approved a charter for an Oath Review and Drafting Task Force, which is expected to begin work in FY 26. In the wake of this year’s local Law Day (May 1) ceremonies around the state at which hundreds of lawyers gathered to retake the Oath of Attorney, President Sunitha Anjilvel recommended that the WSBA initiate a project to update and reinvigorate the professional oaths prescribed by Admission and Practice Rule 5.
- Recommended a schedule for application fees and annual fees for the Entity Regulation Pilot Project, to go to the Washington Supreme Court for consideration. More about the Entity Regulation Pilot Program can be found at https://www.wsba.org/about-wsba/entity-regulation-pilot.
SAVE THE DATE > The next regular meeting is Sept. 26–27, 2025, in Seattle. To subscribe to the Board Meeting Notification list, email barleaders@wsba.org.