Administrative Law Section

The Administrative Law Section serves the interests of public and private sector attorneys who work with state and local government agencies, as well as administrative law judges, hearing officers, review officers, and other judicial personnel.

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The Administrative Law Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.

Upcoming Programs

NEW Webinar! Regulation of Employment and Competition After Loper Bright

Register Now!

Developed in partnership with the WSBA Administrative Law Section

Courts have deferred interpretations of law to administrative agencies since Chevron. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including one this June, change that deference. This seminar discusses the administrative regulation of the employment relationship and competition in light of the Loper Bright Enterprises decision.

When: Aug. 26, 2024

Time: Noon–1 p.m. PT

Credits: 1.00 Law & Legal Procedure

Register Online Now!

NEW CLE! CFAA - Impacts on Women and Children

Register Now for In-Person or Virtual!

Developed in partnership with the WSBA Administrative Law Section

Participants will gain a basic overview of the primary civil and criminal hacking statute the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). Not only is this a primary federal law enforcement statute used against stalkers and predators, its civil component allows for a cause of action against the same. The overview begins with a discussion of the two primary things the CFAA prohibits - unauthorized access to a computer and damage to a computer, then moves through the basic case law and the presenters own decade plus long experience litigating the statute. The overview will focus on the impact of this statute on Women and Children in the modern age.

When: Oct. 17, 2024

Time: Noon-1 p.m. PT

Where: Washington State Bar Association, 1325 4th Ave, Ste 600, Seattle, WA 98101-2539

Credits: 1.00 Law & Legal Procedure

Register Online Now for In-Person or Virtual!

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Section Information

The Administrative Law Section is involved in all areas of administrative law of interest to Washington lawyers, including Washington State administrative law, federal administrative law, tribal administrative law, and interstate compact administrative law. We recognize that most attorneys in Washington practice some type of administrative law, even if they never directly apply the Washington Administrative Procedure Act. We have written (and regularly update) an administrative law practice manual (an online publication), and the Public Records Act Deskbook. You can order these publications under the “Resources & Deskbooks” section below. View the free publication, Ensuring Equal Access for People with Disabilities — A Guide for Washington Administrative Proceedings (2011).

The section welcomes anyone as a member who has an interest in administrative law. Upon payment of annual dues of only $25, active members of the WSBA may be voting members of the section and anyone else may be a nonvoting member of the section and receive section benefits. Our members include:

• Assistant attorneys general
• Administrative adjudicators and individuals who represent private parties or agencies in administrative hearings
• Public agency in-house attorneys
• City attorneys (on private contract as well as municipal employees)
• County prosecutors
• Private practitioners who either contract to represent government entities or represent clients subject to government regulation
• Judicial officials

Benefits of Membership

• Reduced tuition at high-quality section CLEs (at least two per year)
• Three newsletters per year, including summaries of recent administrative law state and federal cases, articles and announcements
• Annual meeting with good food and other special events
• Input into legislative and WSBA proposals as the recognized experts in administrative law
• Contributions to projects benefiting access to justice efforts
• Networking and support in the field of administrative law

Law Students Welcome

The Administrative Law Section welcomes law students! If you are enrolled in law school, join the section as a law student member. Meet lawyers who practice administrative law. Help prepare your own career in administrative law.

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New Mentorship Program

Administrative Law Section Mentorship Program Flyer

The Administrative Law Section is pleased to announce that the application window for the 2023-2024 Mentorship Program is now open. Attorneys who are members of the Admin Law Section are invited to apply as either a mentor or a mentee for this 12-month program that requires a commitment of at least two hours per month for which you can obtain CLE credit. The Mentorship Program is a wonderful way to develop lasting relationships one-on-one and to share your knowledge base through an established curriculum that can be modified to fit you and your assigned partner's specific goals. We encourage mentors and mentees to apply. Please complete the application at the below link and return it to alexis@dynamiclawgroup.com by April 30. The Program commences May 15.

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State of Washington Job Opportunities

Administrative Appeals Judge / Exempt

The State of Washington careers website has posted an Administrative Appeals Judge position on their website. Click the link above to view the position or apply now.

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CLE Recordings

Webinar: Hot Topic: The Corporate Transparency Act

Faculty will discuss preparing for the new beneficial ownership reporting requirements of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) under the Corporate Transparency Act which become effective on Jan. 1, 2024, and apply to all privately held US companies.

Faculty:
Joshua Bam, Gravis Law, PLLC, Richland, WA

Watch the Video (one hour)

This video is not accredited for CLE credit and is available for viewing for up to one year after the live event date (Jan. 12, 2024).

Webinar: Health Professions Discipline Process and Defense Strategies

Learn about health care professional discipline from an enforcement perspective and a defense perspective. We will review the process from start to finish and discuss defense strategies for each phase, from investigation through hearing and appeal. Steve will share how his litigation strategy for these administrative proceedings differs from medical malpractice defense.

Faculty:
Richelle Little, Washington State Office of the Attorney General, Olympia
Stephen M. Lamberson, Etter, McMahon, Lamberson, Van Wert & Oreskovich, P.C., Spokane

Listen to the Audio (one hour, 44 minutes)

This audio is not accredited for CLE credit and is available for viewing for up to one year after the live event date (Aug. 2, 2023).

Webinar: Boundary Violations by Health Care Professionals

Dr. Jennifer Piel, MD, JD, will discuss legal and ethical issues involved in boundary violations committed by health care professionals. This is of interest to any attorney involved in professional licensure defense or malpractice.

Faculty: Dr. Jennifer Piel, MD, JD, University of Washington, Seattle

Listen to the Audio (one hour)

This audio is not accredited for CLE credit and is available for viewing for up to one year after the live event date (June 28, 2023).

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The Frank Homan Award

Congratulations to Johnette Sullivan, our 2023 Homan Award recipient!

The Frank Homan Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the improvement or application of administrative law.

Only Administrative Law Section members can nominate, but a nominee does not have to be an attorney or a section member.

The award is named for Frank Homan, a dedicated teacher and mentor who was passionate about improving the law. After receiving his law degree from Cleveland State University of Law in 1965, he began practicing in Washington in 1968, serving as an Employment Security Department hearings examiner from 1970 to 1974 and as a senior administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings from 1975 to 1993. He continued to serve as an ALJ pro tem after his retirement in 1993. He was an early proponent for the creation of a central hearings panel, and played an important role in the creation of the Office of Administrative Hearings (RCW 34.12).

Frank was generous with his time and expertise and is well-remembered for his sense of humor, his command of the English language, and his writing style — including his knowledge of legal terminology and history. His commitment to promoting justice for all and the practice of administrative law is the inspiration for the award that bears his name.

Prior Recipients

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Section Newsletter

Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.

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Resources & Deskbooks

Ensuring Equal Access for People with Disabilities — A Guide for Washington Administrative Proceedings

Public Records Act Deskbook (order online)

Washington Administrative Law Practice Manual (eBook) (order online)

Administrative Hearing Procedure Index

Washington state agencies, boards and commissions

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Executive Committee

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Committee Chairs

Please contact subcommittee members for details on their upcoming meeting dates and locations.

For general questions, please email inquiries to sections@wsba.org. To get involved and learn more about the Administrative Law Section, please contact Section Chair Ed Pesik.

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