What Are KCBA Sections All About?
Part 1/3
By Jordan Brock
Volunteer members work very hard to provide valuable learning opportunities and engaging special events for each KCBA Section, hence we bring you this 3-part series to tell you more about every individual KCBA Section and the community of members that support their work.
Each KCBA Section is comprised of anywhere between 50–500 attorney and judicial officer members, some also allow non-attorney legal professionals to join as “Section-Only” members. Every Section has an active listserv, which means members of the Section have access to all of these practitioners for questions, suggestions, and cross-referrals. If you are a member of a Section, previous CLE programs put on by that Section are free for you to stream on the KCBA website. And, best of all, most of our Sections put on monthly one-hour lunchtime CLEs from September through June. Many of the Sections also host special events for their members, allowing you to meet other legal professionals in your practice area through receptions, happy hours, and other networking events.
We currently have 18 Sections. In this issue, we’ll highlight six of them, with 12 more to come in future Bar Bulletin issues!
Appellate Practice Section
With 162 members, this Section is a tight-knit community of practitioners that take their annual game of “Appellate JeoPARODY” just as seriously as their planning of the annual Division One Judicial Reception. They know how to work hard and play hard. This year’s Judicial Reception will be held at the Federal Reserve Building and will be partnered with a Division One Commissioners’ Update CLE. Other CLE programming that this Section has put on in the past year has included topics such as:
“The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 Code of Conduct”
“The Insider’s Guide to the Ninth Circuit”
“Insights from New Division One Judges”
Aviation Law
This Section focuses its efforts on a yearly conference, usually at a Washington resort (in the past, we have hosted this event at Suncadia, Semiahmoo, Skamania, and Alderbrook resorts). The event is always a wonderful get-together that includes fine dining, happy hours, networking, and tons of CLE credits. This fall, we will be back at Alderbrook Resort at the southern tip of Puget Sound from October 4 to 6.
Join us and learn about the fascinating world of Aviation Law — including litigation, business transactions, and everything else under the sun.
Business Law Section
With 271 members, this Section has the largest variety of practice areas amongst its membership consisting of private practice, government and educational work, and corporate counsel. The Section holds CLEs ranging from litigation, counseling, or consulting on business law and regulation. This year’s 1-hour CLEs have included topics such as:
“How AI is Changing the Way Our Clients Do Business (And the Legal Risks We Can Help Them Navigate)”
“Practical ESG for Business Lawyers: Tips to Help Lawyers Guide Their Business Clients Confidently Through ESG Landscape”
“Apex Depositions in Washington after Stratford”
“Adapting to Change: How the Corporate Transparency Act Shapes a Business Law Practice”
Since this group is so varied, we invite you to share your voice in determining the CLE programming for the upcoming year. If you’d like to contribute, please reach out to sections@kcba.org.
Criminal Law
This brand-new Section started with a bang in April 2024! We are thrilled that we can now bring networking opportunities, a practice area listserv, and CLE programs to criminal attorneys on both sides of the bar. Our very first CLE took place on April 2nd and covered “Making the Best Record for Appeal.” This 1-hour CLE is available on-demand on the KCBA website. Check it out to see if you’d like to join the Section. Our next CLE is scheduled for June 4th at 12:00 PM in-person at the KCBA office, and virtually on Zoom. We hope to see you there!
Dispute Resolution Section
With 126 members, this Section is very active, providing monthly one-hour lunchtime CLEs and connecting Section members with other opportunities in the Puget Sound region. Some of the recent CLE presentations have been on the following topics:
“Managing the Machine: Practical Ethics for AI in Mediation and Arbitration”
“Dealing with ‘Difficult’ Parties: Lessons Learned in Mediating Transnational Disputes”
“Environmental Dispute Resolution: Yes, You CAN Successfully Apply ADR Skills to Public Policy Facilitation”
This Section just changed its name from ADR to DR — because nearly every case goes through mediation or other settlement processes these days (nothing “alternative” about it). We are excited for the 2024–25 year and what new resources and opportunities this Section will bring to its members!
In-House Counsel Section
After a 10+ year hiatus, this Section feels brand-new, again. All year, this group has put on exceptional CLEs including the following topics:
“Mental Health & Accommodations: Supporting Employee Wellness”
“Board Service Basics for In-House Lawyers”
“Adventures in the Legal Department: Two In-House Counsel Discuss Life Behind the Corporate Veil”
“Can I Ethically Use Generative AI to Practice Law?”
Our goal is to provide in-house attorneys with a network of legal professionals working in a corporate setting. We are excited for the future of this group, but we need your support. If you’re interested in learning more about leadership opportunities, please reach out to sections@kcba.org.
Next month, you’ll learn more about another six KCBA Sections. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, if your curiosity is getting to you, you can find out more information at www.kcba.org/sections or by emailing our Sections staff at sections@kcba.org.
Jordan Brock is a KCBA Member Services Coordinator who is responsible for supporting our KCBA Sections. Jordan can be reached as sections@kcba.org.
