News, Information, and Resources of Interest to WSBA Members
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WSBA NEWS
2026 License Renewal and MCLE
All licensing and MCLE requirements must be complete and received by 4:30 p.m. PDT on May 4. If you have not complied by 4:30 p.m. PDT on May 4, the Washington Supreme Court will receive a recommendation from the WSBA for suspension of your license to practice law (APR 17). Licensing requirements, including MCLE certification, must be completed online at licensing.wsba.org. Visit
www.wsba.org/licensing to learn more.
Notice of LSC Grant Funds Available
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) recently announced the availability of Basic Field Grants for 2027. Through a competitive bidding process, the grants are awarded to qualified attorneys, legal aid organizations, and entities as a means of improving access to justice for low-income people throughout the U.S. and U.S. territories. For application instructions, deadlines, eligibility, and submission requirements, visit www.lsc.gov/grants-grantee-resources/our-grant-programs/basic-field-grant.
Rural Day of Service Clinic
Share your time and legal knowledge at the WSBA Small Town and Rural Council (STAR) Rural Day of Service clinic. The clinic, held in partnership with Inland Empire Legal Aid, will take place May 4, from noon to 4 p.m. at the American Legion in Chewelah. The clinic will focus on simple estate planning (drafting of simple wills, power of attorney, and health care directives). Volunteers will be reimbursed for their reasonable travel expenses consistent with the WSBA Fiscal Policy. Visit https://bit.ly/4tsfBtv to complete the Volunteer Attorney Sign Up Form by April 17.
Save the Date for the 2026 STAR Summit
The 2026 Small Town and Rural (STAR) Summit will take place at Central Washington University in Ellensburg on June 26. In collaboration with the WSBA Access to Justice Board and CWU’s Department of Law and Justice, we’re bringing together voices from across the region for a day dedicated to rural practice and community empowerment. Join us for a welcome reception the evening before to kick things off. Stay tuned for registration and full details! Learn more at www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/small-town-and-rural-council.
Rural Practice Summer Internship Grants
The Small Town and Rural (STAR) Council will be awarding at least 10 $5,000 grants to law students participating in a summer internship for an organization providing legal services in a nonprofit, government, or private setting located within a rural community. The purpose of this internship grant program is to assist in building a pipeline of rural attorneys who will help narrow the legal services gap in rural communities throughout the state of Washington. The deadline to apply is April 13. Visit www.wsba.org/connect-serve/committees-boards-other-groups/small-town-and-rural-council to learn more about eligibility and to apply.
Trust Accounting & Billing Software
Are you looking for support with trust accounting or billing? We have great news for you! The WSBA recently announced a new, exclusive benefit for members: FREE access to Smokeball Bill, the premier trust accounting and billing software for law firms. Visit https://bit.ly/wabarbill-launch-enews-0226 and sign up for your free subscription today!
Shape the Future of the Professional Oath
The WSBA Oath Review and Drafting Task Force wants your input to better understand Washington legal professionals’ views about the current professional oath and to guide the task force in its work. The phrasing of Washington’s oath traces back to the state’s territorial days. Responding to member feedback referencing these possibly dated aspects of the oath, the WSBA Board of Governors created a task force with two goals: 1) to determine whether the oath ought to be updated; and, if so, 2) to draft corresponding language and rule changes for consideration by the Washington Supreme Court. The task force has created a survey to collect data that will be the foundation for its decisions about if and how to move forward in redrafting Washington’s professional legal oaths. Visit www.wsba.org/Legal-Community/Committees-Boards-and-Other-Groups/oath-task-force and please take the survey that corresponds to your license type: Oath of Attorney, Oath of Limited License Legal Technician, or Oath for Limited Practice Officers.
New CLJ Data and Document Portal is Live!
Re:SearchWA, the new public case records portal for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Case Management System (CLJ-CMS) courts, is 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/CourtRecordsSearch/ui/Home for more information including user guides and a list of participating courts.
Speak Up for Justice, Washington!
Judges throughout Washington and the nation have sounded the alarm: they have become targets of unprecedented levels of violence and threats of violence. Join us at one of many locally hosted in-person, free CLEs that aim to develop leadership skills and empower legal professionals to speak up in their communities to counter misinformation and build relationships in support of their court systems. Speak Up for Justice Washington! is partnering with county bars, which will host events throughout the state eligible for 1.0 to 1.5 CLE credits. Visit www.wsba.org/about-wsba/ambassadors/speak-up to see a list of upcoming dates and locations; we will continually update the list as more events are confirmed.
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.
Explore the WSBA Lending Library
Looking for your next great 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 catalog.
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, personal injury, and more. For more information, email clinics@lbaw.org and clinics2@lbaw.org.
RESOURCES
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.
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
April 2026 Usury
The usury rate for April 2026 is 12.00%. The auction yield of the March 2, 2026, auction of the six-month Treasury Bill was 3.649%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(a) and 4.56.115 for April 2026 is 5.649%. The interest rate required by RCW 4.56.110(3)(b) and 4.56.111 for April 2026 is 8.75%.