The WSBA’s year works a little differently than others. While much of the world is still whiling away the final months of 2022, the WSBA is already kicking off its 2023 fiscal year. As always, we ring in the new fiscal year with celebration and welcoming of new faces. In the latest issue of Washington State Bar News, you’ll get a look at the many accomplishments the legal community has already made as well as the plans in store for the future.
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The basic question remains the same: Does the structure of an integrated bar association like that in Washington, and 31 other states like it, infringe on its members’ constitutional rights? To provide further clarity in answering that question, for the second time in three years, the structure of the Washington State Bar Association is undergoing a Washington Supreme Court-requested diagnosis.
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Very little about the trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is standard. The mere fact that there is a trial is somewhat unusual. Police-involved deaths rarely result in prosecutions, let alone convictions of the officers involved. (Despite about 1,000 police-involved deaths per year, since 2015 only 121 officers have been arrested on charges of murder or manslaughter resulting in 44 convictions, according to the New York Times.) Few police-involved deaths are as widely well-known as the summer day in 2020 and the now-infamous video showing Chauvin kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, ending in Floyd’s death. And certainly, never before has such an intensely high-profile criminal case taken place amid the unprecedented courtroom restrictions to amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Meet Kyle Sciuchetti: the first WSBA president from Vancouver. In the new issue of Washington State Bar News, the newly seated WSBA president introduces himself and his vision for the Bar over the next year. “Having lived most of my life in and around Washington, I see my year of service as WSBA president as […]
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We are all human beings and we all have frailties, it is important lawyers recognize this in themselves and that we support each other with this understanding.
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For WSBA President Rajeev Majumdar, taking the step to go to therapy meant treading down a path that, to him, initially felt like failure. Recently, Majumdar took a little more time to speak with us about his mental health journey and what he hopes sharing it will do for others in the legal profession.
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At-Large Governor Alec Stephens will finish his term this year, and the search is on for the next WSBA member to fill his seat. The three at-large positions are intended to help increase the diversity of the board by including people who have been historically underrepresented.
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In the latest issue of NWLawyer, we introduce our newest Board President: Rajeev Majumdar, the first state bar president of South Asian descent. And we celebrate the legal professionals who give so freely of their time to serve the public good.
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A majority of the Supreme Court’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board voted to send a recommendation for a suggested amendment to Admission and Practice Rule 11 to the Board of Governors.
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What do you get when you combine the set for “Seussical the Musical,” 400 Olympia teenagers, and … small-claims hearings? Why it’s Court in the Classroom, of course. Noel Brady breaks down how Thurston County District Court is bringing real-life courtroom experiences to students. In the latest issue of NWLawyer, you’ll also formally meet the […]
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Students from Washington’s three law schools recently celebrated the culmination of their studies and hard work. Though the classes of 2018 come from a multitude of backgrounds, what they have in common is optimism and passion to take their newly learned skills into the community. Below is a transcript from Michael Cherry, who is also […]
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The referendum provision in the WSBA Bylaws is an important one — It allows for a vote of the membership on certain actions taken by the Board of Governors. Currently, a member referendum may reverse a final Board action, modify a final Board action, enact a resolution, or amend the WSBA Bylaws.
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Inside the latest issue of NWLawyer, you’ll find: cross-examination tips from one of the state’s leading trial lawyers; an in-depth look at the use of police body-worn cameras in Washington; and an exploration of mandatory malpractice insurance. You can also take our 11-question quiz to test your knowledge on gender barriers. See how much you […]
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Ever wonder what it’s like to serve on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors? Washington Young Lawyer Committee Past Chair Helen Ling recently sat down with former Board Governor Sean M. Davis to discuss his experiences in the at-large governor position reserved for new and young lawyers. Davis recently vacated the position to […]
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Imagine you’re an undocumented resident of Washington state. Last night your significant other came home drunk, threw you across the bedroom, and threatened your life. What do you do? Most legal professionals would advise you to go immediately to the courthouse and file a motion for a protection order. But you hesitate, recalling news reports […]
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Gov. At-Large Mario Cava: We need diverse leaders who understand the disparate impacts of our policies and break barriers to justice. While running for governor at-large on the WSBA Board of Governors offers “visibility” for those traditionally underrepresented in the profession, it also means speaking out as a champion for justice. After all, it is […]
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