News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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Apply Now for Powerful Communities Grants > Applications are now open for the next round of WSBA Powerful Communities Grants. Thanks to generous contributions to the Bar Foundation, Powerful Communities Grants are available to help ensure everyone has access to legal aid. These grants amplify communities who are denied justice due to systemic oppression, advance the WSBA’s mission and purposes outlined in General Rule 12.2, encourage public service by WSBA members, and implement the State Plan for the Coordinated Delivery of Legal Aid to Low-Income People. Proposals are due Jan. 9, 2026. Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/pro-bono-public-service/powerful-communities.
WSBA NEWS
2026 License Renewal and Sections Information
License Renewal is Paperless (online only). License renewal must be completed online at licensing.wsba.org, where you will be able to complete required certifications and securely pay your license fee or print an invoice to mail with a check. A 30 percent late-fee payment will apply if the annual license fee remains unpaid after that date.
Deadlines:
Dec. 31, 2025
- Complete MCLE credits
Feb. 2, 2026
- Pay license fee
- Certify trust account information and liability insurance disclosure or financial responsibility
- Certify MCLE credits
- Optional: Request license fee exemptions and reductions
Certify MCLE Compliance. If you are in the 2023-2025 reporting period, then you are due to report CLE credits and certify MCLE compliance. The deadline for completing credits is Dec. 31, 2025. Please note you cannot earn more than 8 credits in a calendar day. An MCLE late fee will be assessed if you complete your credit requirements after the deadline. The certification must be completed online by Feb. 2, 2026. Visit www.wsba.org/MCLE to learn more.
License Fee Payment Plan, Exemptions, and Reductions. If you are experiencing financial challenges, a payment plan option is available. Payments may be made in up to five installments with the balance required to be paid in full by Feb. 2, 2026. License fee exemptions and reductions are available for licensed legal professionals who qualify. Visit www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Member Pronouns. You may include pronouns on your profile in the WSBA Legal Directory. Please go to https://mywsba.org to include yours. Pronouns are words used to refer to someone in the third person in place of their name. The purpose of including them is to indicate how others can respectfully refer to you.
Voluntary Demographic Information. Please update your information at www.wsba.org/licensing when online licensing opens in November. This information is essential to understanding the demographic makeup of licensed legal professionals in the state and can help inform better policymaking by decisionmakers, including the Washington Supreme Court.
Join or Renew your Section Membership. The section membership year is Jan. 1–Dec. 31. Visit www.wsba.org/sections to learn more.
Pro Bono Status. If you are considering going inactive, pro bono status is a great alternative that lets you provide pro bono services through a qualified legal services provider (QLSP). The license fee will be waived for pro bono status members who completed at least 30 hours of pro bono service with a QLSP in the prior year. Learn more at www.wsba.org/statuschanges.
Judicial Status. Please note you are required to inform the Bar within 10 days of your retirement or your ineligibility for judicial status (and you must apply to change to another status or to resign). Visit www.wsba.org/statuschanges to learn more.
TVW Launches Court TVW
TVW is proud to announce the launch of Court TVW, a new channel dedicated to gavel-to-gavel coverage of Washington’s courts. From trial proceedings to appellate arguments, Court TVW provides a comprehensive look inside the state’s judicial system, ensuring transparency and public access to justice in action. In addition to live coverage, the channel will feature specially produced programming that explores legal issues and court decisions that impact the lives of Washingtonians every day. Watch Court TVW at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZId3X7tOwk.
AOC Launches Self-Help Washington
The Administrative Office of the Courts’ (AOC) Equity and Access Program has recently launched Self-Help Washington (SHW) to provide accessible resources to help people without lawyers navigate Washington Courts. The project began in 2019 through a Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA) work group, which made a recommendation to create an online portal for self-represented litigants. Learn more at
www.courts.wa.gov/self-help/, or contact Self-Help Washington Lead Kelsey Jandoc, Kelsey.Jandoc@courts.wa.gov.
Washington Courts Rescind COVID-era Emergency Orders
The Washington Supreme Court has rescinded all remaining COVID-era emergency orders and put in place an interim order on electronic signatures. The interim order allows for a smooth transition while the court considers the pending proposal to amend GR 30, which will soon be published for public comment. Find these orders and others at www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.scorders.
Entity Regulation Pilot Project Now Accepting Applications
After years of research, planning, and logistics, the application portal for the Entity Regulation Pilot Project is open. This is a time-bound, data-driven, carefully supervised process authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to determine whether changes to certain regulatory rules can meaningfully expand access to legal services for Washingtonians. The pilot project allows businesses and nonprofits (not just individually licensed lawyers/LLLTs/LPOs) to seek authorization to offer legal services for the first time in state history. Learn more at www.wsba.org/about-wsba/entity-regulation-pilot.
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 an ethics concern about the 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.
‘Young’ Members are Now ‘New’ Members
The Washington Supreme Court recently approved WSBA Bylaw amendments to change the name and definition of “young lawyer” to “new member.” Effective Oct. 1, “young lawyer” has changed to “new member,” which is defined as: “Active members of the Washington State Bar Association will be considered New Members until the last day of December of the tenth year in which such member was first admitted to practice in the State of Washington.” As a result, any references to “young lawyer” in programs, bylaws, etc., will be updated to align with this change. Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/WNMC.
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 (www.wsba.org/licensing) 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.
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.
VOLUNTEER
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. Visit www.wsba.org/ambassadors to learn more and 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 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.
RESOURCES
WSBA CLE Volunteer Presenters Sought > 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.
Have You Reviewed Your Group Health Options?
The group health insurance landscape is evolving. If you haven’t assessed your plan in a while, you might not know what you’re missing out on. WSBA members have access to licensed benefits experts who can help you find out—at no cost. It’s a courtesy consultation, and it’s included with your membership. Make sure your company isn’t overlooking or overpaying. Visit https://wsba.memberbenefits.com/employer-group-solutions/ to start your no-obligation market analysis and group health quote today on the WSBA Insurance Marketplace.
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-defense.
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.
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. 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.
Productivity Group
Do you find that all you want to do is watch Netflix and Hulu? Struggling to keep on top of your daily tasks? This group is for legal professionals who have struggled with their productivity in the workplace. The goal of this group is for you to find a community with others who have a shared understanding of your struggle. In this group you will also find tools and techniques to boost performance in your workplace. The group meets Fridays from 12–1 p.m., Jan. 9–Feb. 6, 2026. Sign up at https://www.wsba.org/pathways-form.
Zen Meditation for Lawyers: A Path to Clarity, Focus, and Well-Being
Start the new year right by joining Zen Reverend Soko Mackay for a weekly meditation session designed for busy legal professionals. Discover how Zen practices can help you reduce stress, enhance focus, and improve productivity in your high-pressure environment. Take the time to invest in your mental health and experience the profound benefits of Zen meditation both in and out of the courtroom. The group meets Thursdays from 12–12:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 8, 2026. Sign up at https://www.wsba.org/meditation.
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 Members 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
December 2025 Usury
The usury rate for December 2025 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the Nov. 3, 2025, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 3.823%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for December 2025 is 5.823%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for December 2025 is 9.00%.