The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meetings held on April 17, convened by KCBA President Karen Orehoski.
After President Karen Orehoski called the meeting to order and welcomed the Board and guests, the Board approved the meeting minutes for the Board meeting on March 20, 2024.
Updates
New Lawyers Division (“NLD”) Chair Alyssa Nevala reported the NLD is seeking nominations for Outstanding New Lawyer Award, noted the NLD Spring Soiree had a great turnout, and honored Dean Perkins of Seattle University School of Law as NLD “Mentor of the Year.” NLD is working on filling officer and trustee positions for the new NLD board in which Amanda Simantov will be the incoming Chair.
President Orehoski provided a brief financial update and referred the Board to the financial memo for more details in Treasurer Theresa Wang’s absence. She also reminded the Board to sign up for the strategic planning retreat on April 30 and noted that June’s board meeting is scheduled for June 21. She also invited Trustees to attend the Swearing-In Ceremony on April 25.
Executive Director Christina Coad referred to her report and updated the Board on the search process for a Finance Director and downsizing KCBA’s office space. She also noted the release of her KCBA Executive Director statement regarding “The Role of The King County Bar Association in Protecting the Rule of Law, Lawyers, and The Judiciary,” which was prompted by ABA President Mary Smith’s April 8, 2024, statement.
Member Services Director Bridget Schuster presented highlights from her report and noted upcoming events including several Law Day events for middle — and high-school students in May and a Title 11 CLE at the Convention Center in April.
Pro Bono Services Director Judy Lin confirmed the NLC’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Rainier Club.
ABA Delegate Kathleen Hopkins briefed the Trustees on the highlights from the ABA’s 2024 Mid-Year meeting and the House of Delegates’ meeting per the materials provided.
Decision Item
After a discussion and presentation from guest Katie Wilson on a proposal for public funding of local journalism, the Board approved a motion to allow the KCBA to appear in the proposed Seattle Local News Grants draft legislation as a nominating entity for an attorney with First Amendment law expertise. The Board clarified that the nominated individual does not have to be a KCBA member.
Discussion Items
Rory O’Sullivan of the Public Policy Committee updated the Board on the committee’s work and outcome of the legislative agenda that the Board passed this year. This is the first year that the Board has adopted the new legislative agenda process, and it has been an effective process in keeping Trustees informed in advance of taking a position on a legislative policy that the committee would bring forth for Board approval.
Nine members have been chosen to serve on the Communications and Bar Bulletin Taskforce, and their first meeting is scheduled for April 25. President Orehoski is excited for this great group of people to lead the process for improving KCBA’s policies and best practices for the Bar Bulletin.
Housing Justice Project Taskforce members, Erin Overbey and Neal Black, led a discussion on the latest update on the HJP spin-off process.
With no further business before the Board, President Orehoski adjourned the meeting.
