Volunteer to Represent WSBA on a Committee or Organization
- New! Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington — deadline Nov. 22, 2024
- New! BJA Public Engagement and Education Committee — deadline Nov. 22, 2024
- Commission on Judicial Conduct — deadline extended to Dec 6, 2024
- New! Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees — deadline Nov. 22, 2024
Bench-Bar-Press Committee of Washington
Application deadline: Nov. 22, 2024
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 Nov. 22, 2024.
Board of Judicial Administration Public Engagement and Education Committee
Application deadline: Nov. 22, 2024
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 Volunteer Engagement Advisor at parise@wsba.org.
To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé on or before Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, to barleaders@wsba.org.
Commission on Judicial Conduct
Application deadline extended to December 6, 2024
The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicant for one WSBA representative alternate lawyer position on the Commission on Judicial Conduct. The term for the alternate would begin upon appointment through to June 16, 2027, subject to reappointment.
The Commission reviews complaints of ethical misconduct and disability against judicial officers, discusses the progress of investigations, and takes action to resolve complaints. The goal of the Commission is to maintain confidence and integrity in the judicial system by seeking to preserve both judicial independence and public accountability. The public interest requires a fair and reasonable process to address judicial misconduct or disability, separate from the judicial appeals system that allows individual litigants to appeal legal errors.
The Commission consists of 11 members who serve four-year terms — six non-lawyer citizens, three judges, and two lawyers. Each member has an alternate whose term coincides with their corresponding member’s term. The lawyers must be admitted to practice in Washington and are appointed by the WSBA. Incumbents are eligible for reappointment, limited to two terms as an alternate member and two terms as a full member. Letters of interest and résumés are also required for incumbents seeking reappointment. The term for these positions will commence upon appointment and expire on June 16, 2028.
There are five regular meetings each year. In addition, it is crucial that members be available to serve on contested hearing panels that occur up to two times a year and may take multiple days to complete.
To apply: please submit the following 1) letter of interest 2) résumé and 3) completed Waiver and Authorization Form for Commission on Judicial Conduct (see below) to barleaders@wsba.org by December 6, 2024.
The Commission on Judicial Conduct has asked the WSBA to conduct discipline checks on all applicants. Further information about the Commission can be found online at www.cjc.state.wa.us, or by contacting them at 360-753-4585.
Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees
Application deadline: Nov. 22, 2024
The WSBA Board of Governors will appoint one trustee to the Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees. The three-year terms will begin Jan. 1, 2025, and end Dec. 31, 2027.The Legal Foundation of Washington is a private, not-for-profit organization that promotes equal justice for low-income people through the administration of IOLTA and other funds. Trustees should have a demonstrated commitment to and
knowledge of the need for legal services and how these services are provided in Washington. Further information about trustee responsibilities is available upon request by email to caitlindc@legalfoundation.org.
To apply, email a letter of interest and résumé to barleaders@wsba.org on or before Nov. 22, 2024.
