James Williams briefed the trustees on the Awards Committee’s recommendations for the annual awards. Associate Executive Director Kathleen Jensen reviewed the Young Lawyer Division’s award recipient recommendation and Pro Bono Services Director Threesa Milligan presented the award recommendation from the Pro Bono Committee.
By voice vote, the Board approved the following recipients:
- Nancy Williams — Outstanding Lawyer Award;
- Judge Beth Andrus — Outstanding Judge Award;
- Linda Strout — Helen M. Geisness Outstanding Service Award;
- Washington Solicitor General of Washington Noah Purcell — Friend of the Legal Profession Award;
- Jason Rittereiser — Outstanding Young Lawyer Award; and
- Zeshan Khan — Pro Bono Award.
Battuello also announced that Williams had been selected to be the ABA’s statewide representative for Washington and noted that KCBA will need to fill his position as KCBA’s representative to the ABA.
Battuello noted that the March 30 Breakfast With Champions event was a sell-out (please see Page 12) and shared a recent experience that re-affirmed for her the increased need to support our programs to help reduce homelessness in Seattle.
Executive Director Andrew Prazuch briefed the trustees on the Breakfast With Champions event and an inspiring Housing Justice Project client story. He previewed items for the April board meeting, including presentations on the strategic plan, a GR 36 proposal, and amendments to the fair campaign practices policy and procedures. He also invited trustees to attend upcoming events, including the swearing-in ceremony for new admittees to the bar, the 2017 Annual Dinner (please see Page 32) and a training session on jurors’ implicit bias.
Treasurer Kinnon Williams reported that as of January 31, seven months through the fiscal year, KCBA had revenues of $2.7 million and expenses of $2 million, for net income of $714,000. The Association has $1.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and the reserve fund is at $946,000. Williams noted that at this point of the fiscal year overall revenue and expenses should be at roughly 58 percent of the approved budget and both are performing ahead of expectations.
Prazuch briefed the trustees on the Membership Committee’s recommendation to bestow an honorary membership on retired Executive Director Alice Paine. After discussion, the Board approved the honorary membership by voice vote.
Second Vice President Harry Schneider presented the Amicus Committee’s proposed improvements to update the policy and procedures for committee operation. Changes include increased membership of the committee, more disclosure of conflicts, committee dismissal of a request without board review, and clarification that the president signs the brief in his/her official capacity with KCBA. After discussion, the Board approved the revised Amicus Policy by voice vote. A copy of the policy is online at www.kcba.org/amicus.
Prazuch presented highlights from the website redesign project including information on the design company Element 11, the scope of the project including the proposed timeline, and initial color and style selections for the new website pages.
Finally, King Court Superior Court Presiding Judge Laura Inveen thanked KCBA for its continued support for the Children and Family Justice Center and updated the trustees on steps taken to respond to concerns raised by those opposing the project. King County Superior Court Chief Administrative Officer Paul Sherfey explained how project approval delays have impacted the county’s budget for the project. Judge Inveen then engaged trustees in a general discussion about court operations.