News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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2026 APEX Award Nominations Open > You can now send in your nominations for the 2026 WSBA APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards. These awards, spread across 12 categories, honor exemplary members of the legal community, including legal professionals, judges, and members of the public. Nominations are due Feb. 27. Learn more > www.wsba.org/news-events/apex-awards.
WSBA NEWS
2026 License Renewal
Deadline was Feb. 2, 2026. If you have not completed all mandatory portions of your license renewal you are delinquent and your license is at risk of administrative suspension. Depending on your license status, mandatory requirements include MCLE certification, trust account declaration, and disclosing professional liability insurance or financial responsibility. Licensing requirements, including MCLE certification, must be completed online at https://licensing.wsba.org. Visit www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Speak Up for Justice Washington!
The WSBA has kicked off a statewide tour of a free CLE called Speak Up for Justice Washington! The Snohomish County Bar Association and Benton Franklin Counties Bar Association hosted the first two tour stops in early December. This CLE features a distinguished panel of local judges who are sounding the alarm about increasing levels of violence and threats of violence against themselves and their courts. The panel is followed by a brief training from the WSBA’s Rule of Law Ambassador Program to empower all legal professionals to speak up for the rule of law and independence of the judiciary. Check www.wsba.org/about-wsba/ambassadors/speak-up for updates about local dates in 2026. If your county bar association would like to host this free, in-person CLE, please reach out to ambassadors@wsba.org.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RESOURCES
New Public Case Records Portal re:SearchWA
Re:SearchWA, the new public case records portal for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Case Management System (CLJ-CMS) courts, is now officially live. If you already have an eFileWA account, you can use those same credentials when using re:SearchWA. If not, new users will need to click “Register” on the top tool bar on re:SearchWA to create a new free account. Once logged in, you can begin searching for cases right away. Visit https://researchwa.tylerhost.net/ for more information. Visit https://bit.ly/3LTpOiq to find a user guide for attorneys.
Watch the Legal Directory Tutorial Video
Learn more about the WSBA Legal Directory. Watch our new, 90-second video tutorial about how to use the Legal Directory to find a legal professional. The WSBA offers a Legal Directory as a convenience to find contact information, license information, and public discipline, for licensed legal professionals in Washington state, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. Make sure your profile information is current. Watch the video at https://app.vyond.com/videos/350ef472-b2ad-4b7d-9644-2b49479e0814. For information on former members who do not appear in the Legal Directory, please see our Public Records page at www.wsba.org/about-wsba/contact-us/public-records.
New Ways to Access Deskbooks
WSBA Deskbooks are trusted, practice-ready legal guides written by Washington lawyers for Washington lawyers. For nearly 50 years, they’ve delivered clear analysis, practical insights, forms, and checklists across every major practice area—and have been cited in more than 250 appellate decisions. Members can purchase or subscribe to Deskbooks—and now they can also explore the entire catalogue online for free through Washington’s law libraries, making it easier than ever to put authoritative Washington law at your fingertips! Visit www.wsba.org/deskbooks to learn more.
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.
Grow in Your Practice; Join a Section
Section members become part of active professional communities and gain access to an array of exclusive section-member benefits. Over 10,000 WSBA members currently belong to one or more of the WSBA’s 29 sections. Joining a section provides access to a range of benefits like list serve communities; newsletters, reports, Deskbooks, and sourcebooks; free and discounted CLEs; and opportunities to engage in the Washington state legislative process. The section membership year began on Jan. 1. Visit www.wsba.org/legal-community/sections/about-sections to learn more about sections and sign up today!
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.
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.
Free Confidential Clinical Consult With Licensed Provider
The Member Wellness Program offers free 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
February 2026 Usury
The usury rate for February 2026 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the Jan. 5, 2026, auction of the six month Treasury Bill was 3.586%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for February 2026 is 5.586%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for February 2026 is 8.75%.