News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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Bench-Bar-Press Event > Save the date and join us for the annual Bench-Bar-Press Committee luncheon, 12–2 p.m., Nov. 7 at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. The Bench-Bar-Press Committee was formed in 1963 to foster better understanding and working relationships between judges, lawyers, and journalists who cover legal issues and courtroom stories. The mission of the committee is to seek to accommodate, as much as possible, the tensions between the constitutional values of “free press” and “fair trial” through educational events and relationship building. The luncheon is $65 per person. Send questions to Patric Haerle, Administrative Office of the Courts, patric.haerle@courts.wa.gov.
WSBA NEWS
Interview for Appellate Court Vacancies
On Sept. 11, 2025, the WSBA Judicial Recommendation Committee (JRC) will interview attorneys and judges interested in being appointed by the governor to fill potential vacancies on the Washington Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. The JRC’s recommendations are reviewed by the WSBA Board of Governors and forwarded to the governor for consideration when making appointments. To be considered for an interview, complete and submit the questionnaire posted on the JRC webpage, www.wsba.org/Legal-Community/Committees-Boards-and-Other-Groups/JRC.
Find Joy in Justice at the ATJ Conference
Get ready to join with community members, legal advocates, judges, attorneys, and policymakers from across Washington at the 2025 Access to Justice Conference, Sept. 18–19 in Yakima and online. This year’s theme, “Finding Joy in Justice Work: Centering Hope and Community Care,” focuses on uplifting Indigenous approaches to justice that emphasize resilience, healing, and the power of community. Visit https://web.cvent.com/event/b4f5c8c5-357d-4cff-b131-724a58d5d00b/summary to learn more and register by Sept. 11.
Free Deskbooks
The WSBA has partnered with the Washington State Law Library to offer expanded FREE lending of all WSBA Deskbook titles. For nearly 50 years, these publications have served as indispensable resources across a wide range of practice areas, offering clear analysis, real-world insights, practice tips, forms, and checklists. Explore the selection of Deskbooks at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/deskbooks/explore-deskbooks.
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. 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.
Please Complete Your Confidential Demographics Form
Did you know that the WSBA regularly publishes a variety of demographic information about the WSBA membership? This information is essential to understanding the makeup of the profession, assessing the services the WSBA provides, and informing policymakers as they contemplate changes related to regulation of the practice of law. We highly encourage WSBA members to participate in this voluntary demographic information collection. Please answer the short survey of demographic questions during your license renewal. If you have already renewed your license, you can still return to the license renewal page (https://licensing.wsba.org/) to complete the demographics section. Individual gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability information is kept strictly confidential, and is used only in the aggregate for demographic analysis. Thank you for your participation.
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 second Wednesday of each month from 8:30-10:00 a.m. via Zoom) is reserved for member comments. All topics are welcome. Visit the events calendar at www.wsba.org for more information.
VOLUNTEER
Rock Out With Law Rocks
Law Rocks, an organization that hosts battle of the bands events starring legal professionals, is returning to Seattle on Sept. 25, 2025, for the Second Annual Law Rocks Seattle! The event will take place at The Crocodile at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25. For tickets and more information, visit https://lawrocks.org/sea.
Rule of Law Ambassador Program
The WSBA invites you to join its volunteer Rule of Law Ambassador Program, which will equip volunteer legal professionals to educate their local communities about the importance of an independent legal profession as a cornerstone of U.S. democracy and to build relationships to increase trust and confidence in the rule of law. We are kicking off the program with coordinated events on Law Day, May 1, for lawyers to publicly recommit to their professional oath to uphold the Constitution. Visit www.wsba.org/ambassadors to learn more and volunteer.
WSBA CLE Volunteer Presenter
WSBA CLE is currently seeking volunteer CLE speakers on the topics of limited practice officer/title/escrow, and legal technology/AI. If you are interested in presenting a CLE on one of the above topics, visit https://zurl.co/saqX to sign up. Please email rachelm@wsba.org if you have questions.
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 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 and clinics2@lbaw.org.
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, please email trialad@uw.edu. Find out more at www.law.uw.edu/academics/experiential-learning/moot-court.
RESOURCES
Defense Standards: Guidance and FAQs
For public defenders, local jurisdictions, and other stakeholders in Washington’s justice system looking to implement the new WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services, find a guidance document and FAQs at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/public-defens
Lex Fastcase Platform Upgrade
In October 2024, Fastcase 7, the WSBA’s free legal research platform for members, transitioned to vLex Fastcase. The upgraded platform includes everything Fastcase 7 offers plus unique features to enhance your productivity and provide you with greater insights into legal matters. For additional resources and information, please visit https://vlex.com/vlex-fastcase, or www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/legal-research-tools/free-legal-research.
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.
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.
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 at www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/practice-management-discount-network.
Explore the WSBA Lending Library
Looking for your next great summer read? The WSBA Lending Library is a free service to WSBA members offering the short-term loan of books on topics related to practice management, wellness, and career development. Visit www.wsba.org/for-legal-professionals/member-support/lending-library to explore the catalogue.
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.
WSBA MEMBER WELLNESS
Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers
Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers is a new nonprofit that offers free and confidential services. WALAL is separate from the WSBA and is not affiliated with any 12-step organization. WALAL’s trained lawyer volunteers serve as peer counselors to lawyers, judges, and law students facing substance use and other mental health challenges. WALAL’s Director of Peer Training and Intake Coordinator is Andy Benjamin, J.D., Ph.D. Dr. Benjamin is a licensed psychologist and University of Washington clinical professor of psychology and affiliate professor of law. To learn more about WALAL, to seek assistance, or to volunteer as a peer counselor, see www.WALAL.org or email info@walal.org.
Share Your Story
The Member Wellness Program wants to hear your inspiring stories. We know there are many challenges you have faced and hardships you have overcome. Share your story anonymously (some stories may be published) at https://tinyurl.com/c5c8frft. Your story can make a difference in the lives of your fellow legal professionals.
Virtual Mental Health Support Group
The free group led by WSBA staff Adely Ruiz, LICSW, 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.
Health Benefits
The WSBA Private Health Insurance Exchange offers members access to the most competitive group health insurance solutions on the market. Speak to a benefits counselor and request a free quote today at www.memberbenefits.com/wsba.
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. Currently, the group meets online via Zoom, and attorneys from all over Washington participate. For more information and Zoom credentials contact unbarwa@gmail.com.
ETHICS
Ethics Line
Members 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
Sept. 2025 Usury
The usury rate for September 2025 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the Aug. 4, 2025, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 4.118%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for Sept. 2025 is 6.118%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for Sept. 2025 is 9.50%.