The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meetings held on January 17, convened by KCBA President Karen Orehoski.
Board Approves Committees’ Authority to Communicate Public Positions & Adds New Practice Sections.
After President Karen Orehoski called the meeting to order, the Board approved the meeting minutes for the Board meeting on December 13, 2023.
NLD Chair Alyssa Nevala updated the Board about the New Lawyers Division’s Artificial Intelligence CLE from January 10, 2024, with 88 registrants. In addition, the event to assemble care packages for Westside Baby at the KCBA office on December 7 was a success, and the NLD is working with the YMCA Youth Government in support of a mock trial project. NLD is also planning and hosting their annual Spring Soiree on April 4.
President Orehoski provided a financial update on behalf of Treasurer Theresa Wang, noting that the KCBA is halfway through the 2024 fiscal year and are on track in both revenue and expenses.
President Orehoski reflected on her attendance at “A Conversation with Robin Sigo: Seattle Indigenous Community, Land and the Importance of Allyship.” She also congratulated the staff for their hard work in planning the MLK Luncheon and shared her appreciation of the speaker.
Executive Director Coad shared the KCBA’s work creating reference materials and procedures for all Board committees. She also noted that there is no new information to share regarding the union or the collective bargaining process.
Pro Bono Services Director Judy Lin reiterated the call for volunteers for NLC and Kinship Care. Member Services Director Bridget Schuster and Director Lin presented highlights from their reports as submitted.
The Board also made several decisions at the January 2024 Board meeting. First, based on the strong survey results from last summer, Director Schuster proposed and the Board approved a resolution for the addition of four new sections, including Litigation, Criminal Law, Immigration Law, and Indian Law. Jordan Brock, the section liaison, is in contact with possible leaders for these sections.
The Board passed a resolution authorizing Kathleen Hopkins to speak on behalf of KCBA in support of ABA Resolution 507 after a discussion about what position, if any, prior boards took, various viewpoints on the ABA Resolution, and whether ABA Resolution 507 aligned with KCBA’s mission statement.
The Board also approved the “Resolution Approving KCBA Judiciary & Litigation Committee Authority to Communicate Public Positions” presented by the Judiciary & Litigation Committee Chairs, Colin Mieling and Katie Comstock. Mr. Mieling and Ms. Comstock explained updates to the resolution clarifying that any public statement as noted in paragraph 10 of the resolution had to have a majority vote.
President Orehoski adjourned the meeting.
