In 2024, the WSBA’s STAR Council introduced grants for law students interning in rural Washington to address attorney shortages. Interviewed recipients Olivia Perez and Shaw Lowry highlighted how their experiences in public defense offices shaped their commitment to rural legal practice while acknowledging the challenges, such as transportation issues and maintaining professional relationships.
Read More…
The federal court in Tacoma recently surveyed the “actual innocence” requirement for legal malpractice claims arising from criminal cases and a related exception to that rule. Neaman v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 2025 WL 672642 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 3, 2025) (unpublished), involved, in relevant part, a malpractice claim against a criminal defendant’s former attorneys […]
Read More…
The Oregon State Bar’s ethics opinion, OSB Formal Opinion 2005-205, aligns with ABA Formal Opinion 512 on artificial intelligence in law. It emphasizes competence and confidentiality, advising lawyers to understand AI tools and their contractual confidentiality assurances. Both opinions provide timely guidance amid evolving technology in legal practice.
Read More…
In May 2020, the WSBA identified needs for rural legal practitioners, leading to the 2024 STAR Council pilot program offering grants to law students for internships in rural areas. It aims to address the legal services gap. The latest Bar News features insights from interns in rural law, legislative updates, and ethical analyses.
Read More…
Under ABA Model Rule 1.16(d), lawyers must surrender client papers upon withdrawal, but the definition of “papers and property” is unclear. Following this ambiguity, states have generally adopted two approaches: the “entire file” approach, which requires lawyers to provide all materials, and the “end product” approach, limiting it to final products. Effective March 3, 2025, Idaho implemented the “entire file” approach with RPC 1.16A, detailing materials to be provided and allowing lawyers to charge for copying and delivery.
Read More…
The 2025 legislative session began Jan. 13 and will focus on addressing a $15 billion budget deficit. Key bills being monitored include those related to loan repayment for public defenders, reinstating the Limited License Legal Technician program, and improving public defense funding and efficiency within the court system.
Read More…
This post discusses the process and benefits of seller financing when purchasing land, particularly for buyers unable to secure traditional financing. It explores the structure of land contracts, the importance of trust between parties, and potential risks involved, such as seller foreclosure. Due diligence in land use and legal considerations is also emphasized.
Read More…
The crisis in public defense is exacerbated by a shortage of applicants for both public defenders and prosecutors, leading to court backlogs and unrepresented citizens. The latest Washington State Bar News addresses these hiring challenges, highlighting perceptions of prosecutorial roles, as well as experiences of Asian American female litigators facing biases in the courtroom.
Read More…
Communication skills, especially active listening, are crucial for lawyers to build trust with clients. Effective communication requires pausing before responding and using nonverbal feedback to confirm understanding. Good listeners foster deeper exchanges, ensuring clarity and empathy. Mastering these skills enhances lawyers’ professional effectiveness and strengthens client relationships.
Read More…
Across the country, prosecutors’ offices are struggling. With many prosecutors saying they are underpaid and overworked, offices from Houston to Los Angeles to Yakima are experiencing the consequences of a mounting problem. People just don’t seem to want the job anymore. “What we’re seeing out of law schools, especially in younger attorneys, is they’re really […]
Read More…
A married couple sought Medicaid planning to protect their home from estate recovery by placing it in an irrevocable trust, but this resulted in their home becoming an available asset, making them ineligible for benefits. The author emphasizes the importance of consulting specialists for effective Medicaid planning to avoid complications.
Read More…
Chances are, as a land dweller, you haven’t given much thought to the laws of the high seas. Maybe you’ve stumbled across the subject of maritime law in your time in the legal profession or merely found yourself curious about the ins and outs of the law when aquatic matters are involved. Whatever you know […]
Read More…
Last month, a rise in divorce inquiries was noted at a family law firm, possibly linked to political rhetoric surrounding no-fault divorce. California pioneered this system in 1969, which promotes less adversarial separations. Washington state maintains strong protections for no-fault divorce, ensuring accessible and equitable solutions for residents.
Read More…
The 21st century is almost one-quarter complete. When the calendar switches over and 2024 moves aside for 2025, it’s hard not to think about where we were 25 years ago. Back then we were worried about Y2K and a technological apocalypse; today our lives have been infiltrated by artificial intelligence. Then we were raising the […]
Read More…
The Washington State Bar Association is launching a new demographic study to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession, following a previous study conducted twelve years ago. The Bar wants your feedback on the draft Equity and Justice Plan. Additionally, the November issue of Bar News magazine covers generative AI’s impact on law.
Read More…
The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a legal malpractice claim due to its being time-barred in Wood v. Dunn & Black. The court underscored that a client’s criticism of a law firm can trigger the statute of limitation, emphasizing that assertions made in a letter initiated the three-year clock for filing a claim.
Read More…