Updated: Nov. 14, 2025

Speak Up for Justice Washington!

The rule of law and independence of the judiciary are hallmarks of our constitutional democracy. Recently, judges throughout Washington and the nation have sounded the alarm: By doing their jobs in accordance with and in support of these basic principles, they have become targets of unprecedented levels of violence and threats of violence. Misinformation continues to spread, and public trust and confidence in the legal system, as well as many other foundational U.S. institutions, are at a crisis point.

What to do? The WSBA’s Rule of Law Ambassador Program would like to help legal professionals learn more about the urgency of the situation and to feel empowered to speak up in their communities to counter misinformation and build relationships to support their court systems. We are launching a touring CLE called Speak Up for Justice Washington! to do just that. A panel of federal, state, and local judges will share their experiences and then ambassador leaders will provide resources and training on effective ways to speak up and out for the rule of law.

Overall, we want every legal professional to be ready, in their sphere of influence, to lower the violent rhetoric, to educate about the importance of an independent judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy, and to make it safer for all legal professionals to do their jobs now … and into the future. This aligns with the Rule of Law Ambassador Program’s mission, which is to help legal professionals spread education, civic engagement, and trust and confidence in our legal system, which are core responsibilities and roles for both individual lawyers and the WSBA.

Speak Up for Justice Washington! is partnering with county bars, which will host events throughout the state eligible for 1.5 CLE credits. See below for a list of upcoming dates and locations; we will continually update the list as more events are confirmed.

  • Benton-Franklin Counties Bar Association. Wednesday, Dec. 17, noon 10 1:30 p.m. at Meadow Springs Country Club, 700 Country Club Rd, Richland, WA 99352. Confirmed panelists: Hon. John Coughenour, United Stated District Court for the Western District of Washington; and Hon. Diane Ruff and Hon. Bronson Brown, Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court. Registration information coming soon.
  • In-progress scheduling underway with: Chelan-Douglas Bar Association, Clark County Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Skagit County Bar Association, Snohomish County Bar Association, Spokane County Bar Association, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Whatcom County Bar Association, and the Yakima County Bar Association.

As part of a national Speak Up for Justice movement, Western-Washington federal judges Hon. Lasnik and Hon. Coughenour shared their recent experiences receiving violent threats and actions, both to themselves personally and their families. Watch that recorded panel for a preview of the Washington-specific tour. Hon. Lasnik and Hon. Coughenour spearheaded our grassroots campaign and will be staples of our panels, with local judges joining them at each event.

Interested in a tour stop in your area of the state? Want to learn more? Contact ambassadors@wsba.org.