Volunteer to Represent WSBA on a Committee or Organization
- Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington
- BJA Public Engagement and Education Committee
- Civic Learning Council
Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington
Application deadline: May 30, 2025
The WSBA Board of Governors will appoint five members of the Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington for terms beginning upon appointment and expiring Dec. 31, 2026 (the term expiration is set by the Board of Governors and subject to change).
The Bench-Bar-Press Committee was formed in 1963 to foster better understanding and working relationships among judges, lawyers, and journalists. Its mission is to seek to accommodate, as much as possible, the tension between the constitutional values of free press and fair trial through educational events and relationship building. The committee is chaired by Justice Debra Stephens of the Washington State Supreme Court and includes representatives from the legal profession, judiciary, law enforcement, and news media.
The full committee typically holds an in-person, annual luncheon event in November. A liaison committee, called the Fire Brigade has been created to help sort out conflicts of courtroom coverage. Subcommittees of volunteers are organized on an ad hoc basis to plan and execute events. More information can be found here, or contact Patric Haerle, Administrative Office of the Courts, at patric.haerle@courts.wa.gov.
To apply, email a letter of interest and resume to barleaders@wsba.org by end of day May 30, 2025.
Board of Judicial Administration Public Engagement and Education Committee
Application deadline: May 30, 2025
The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting applications from members interested in serving on the Board for Judicial Administration's Public Engagement and Education Committee. The committee consists of 16 members, and is chaired by San Juan County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring. One member is nominated by the WSBA. All committee members are appointed by the Board for Judicial Administration. The two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2025 and expires Dec. 31, 2026.
The Public Engagement and Education Committee (PEEC), formerly known as the Public Trust and Confidence Committee was formed in 1999 to achieve the highest possible level of public trust and confidence in Washington’s judicial system, includes members representing the bench and bar, educators, legislators, local government officials, civic groups, and members of the public. The purpose of the PEEC is to empower the public and improve the Washington courts through authentic engagement and education.
Further information can be found on the state court website or by contacting Nicole Ack at nicole.ack@courts.wa.gov. For information about WSBA's appointment process, contact Paris Eriksen, WSBA Manager of Volunteer Engagement at parise@wsba.org.
To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé on or before Friday, May 9, 2025, to barleaders@wsba.org.
Civic Learning Council
Application Deadline: May 30, 2025
The WSBA Board of Governors is accepting letters of interest and résumés from members interested in serving a three-year term on the Civic Learning Council. The WSBA will recommend two people to serve on the Civic Learning Council for a three-year term. These appointments are subject to approval by the Civic Learning Council.
The Civic Learning Council (formerly known as the Council on Public Legal Education) seeks to bolster civic learning across Washington State. The Civic Learning Council specifically addresses gaps in civic learning and how our state can be more effective in providing meaningful civic learning for all our Washington youth. It focuses on the policies, resources, and support necessary for success in K-16 schools and youth development programs, as well as programs for the community at large. The Civic Learning Council also seeks to promote equity by prioritizing civic learning opportunities for underserved youth — especially youth of color, immigrant and refugee youth, and youth in rural communities.
Members of the Council are expected to actively participate in committee work. For more information on the Civic Learning Council, please contact President Margit McGuire, mmcguire@seattleu.edu, and Vice President Jerry Price, jerrypricecurriculum@gmail.com.
Please email your letter of interest and a résumé to barleaders@wsba.org by end of day on May 30, 2025. If you have questions about the appointment process, email barleaders@wsba.org.
