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, as well as past meetings, are online here: www.wsba.org/bog.
July 24-25, 2026
MEETING TAKEAWAYS
Financial Updates. Governor Alain Villeneuve was elected as incoming WSBA treasurer, to assume office at the beginning of the new fiscal year in October. The Board also looked at the first draft of the FY 27 budget, which proposes a planned spenddown of about $1.2 million in the general fund, in alignment with the Board’s reserve-fund safeguards. (Note: The 2027 license fees were already set last year using the Board’s license fee policy.) The Board is expected to approve a final FY 27 budget in September.
CLE Credit for Mock Trials (and Colorado)! The Board accepted a recommendation from the MCLE Board—which will now go to the Washington Supreme Court for consideration—to amend APR 11 to establish MCLE credit for lawyer volunteers who judge or evaluate student participants in approved high school or undergraduate mock trials; and to establish MCLE comity with Colorado, which has reporting requirements and cycles that align with Washington’s.
Legal Technology Task Force Implementation. The WSBA Legal Technology Task Force delivered its final report in September 2025. The report organizes 10 key points and includes operational recommendations (for staff implementation) and policy recommendations (for Board implementation). The Board considered several recommendations about how to move forward with policy recommendations and heard updates about how staff have begun implementing operational work.
Reconsidering Change to “Approved Law Schools” to Sit for the Bar. In May, the Board changed the definition of “approved law schools” that is used to determine applicant eligibility to sit for the bar exam in Washington. The change in the WSBA Admissions Policies expands the definition beyond “ABA-approved” law schools to include law schools that are approved in any other state for bar-exam eligibility and admissions. The Washington Supreme Court already licenses practitioners from these schools through its admissions by motion process. At the July meeting, law school deans and law students spoke for and against the change; several asked the Board to push out the effective date from September to a later time to consider more feedback and information. One governor informed the Board that he intends to bring a motion to rescind the new definition at the September meeting.
Other Regulatory Proposals Regarding Bar Exam and Admissions. The Board approved several recommendations to amend Admission to Practice Rules (APR) and WSBA Bylaws that relate to Bar admissions and licensing. The amendments:
- Establish a new lawyer license type to comply with the U.S. Servicemember Civil Relief Act.
- Change the filing deadline for testing accommodation requests for the NextGen Uniform Bar Exam.
- Eliminate the expiration of bar exam scores and remove the bar exam requirement to return to active status for WSBA members who previously passed the exam.
- Eliminate outdated and exclusionary language and reduce the active legal experience required for a lawyer from a common law jurisdiction to sit for the bar exam in Washington.
- Declined to take action on a proposed change to the definition of “active legal experience” (used primarily as a requirement for someone who is applying for admission by motion) to gather more information for consideration in September.
RPC Comments Regarding Artificial Intelligence. The Board approved a proposal by the Committee on Professional Ethics (CPE) that the WSBA serve as co-proponent with the Washington Supreme Court clerk in submitting RPC amendments regarding the legal ethics of artificial intelligence (AI). The amendments to the commentary to RPC 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8 were initially developed by the Supreme Court, after which the clerk and the CPE collaborated to refine the drafts. The comments are meant to assist lawyers in the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in legal practice; they cover use, disclosure, firm policymaking and supervision, fees, bias, and accurate review of AI in providing legal services.
ATJ Board Seeking to Update Its Authorizing Order. The Board heard an update about the Access to Justice (ATJ) Board’s efforts to evolve its mission and work to support and expand civil legal aid. ATJ Board leaders recently completed a community-centered strategic planning process and collected substantial input from stakeholders. It became clear that the board’s Authorizing Order, originally adopted in 1994, needed an update. Board members are now modernizing the order and clarifying the ATJ Board’s function as a statewide convener, partner, and supporter of civil legal aid. They will present a proposed order to the Washington Supreme Court this fall. To learn more, email atj@wsba.org.
New Charter for the Washington New Members Committee. The Washington New Members Committee is the evolved form of the former Washington Young Lawyers Committee—and that evolution has required a new charter to fit its new vision and purpose: to support the professional development of new members of the WSBA through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and resources that address critical challenges such as student debt, practical skills gap, and pro bono opportunities. The Board approved the committee’s proposed new charter.
The Board also:
- Approved a recommendation from the Budget & Audit Committee to reallocate $150,000 from the unrestricted reserve to the facilities reserve.
- Discussed proposed changes to admissions application fees. The Board expects to vote in September.
SAVE THE DATE > The next regular meeting is Sept. 24–25, 2026, in Spokane. To subscribe to the Board Meeting Notification list, email barleaders@wsba.org.