By Jordan Brock
Welcome to the final installment of this three-part series where I get the pleasure of telling you about the hard work that our volunteer members put into our Sections to provide valuable learning opportunities and engaging special events for Section members.
There are many benefits to joining a Section. For one, every Section has a designated listserv, where Section members can email their colleagues with questions, suggestions, and cross-referrals. Another benefit of Section membership is access to all Section CLEs through our KCBA CLE Video Library. And perhaps, 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 such as receptions, happy hours, and other networking opportunities.
We currently have 18 Sections. In this issue, I will round out this series by telling you about 6 Sections, and if you missed any that are not mentioned here, check back at the May and June editions.
Environmental and Land Use Law Section
This group has 175 members made up of attorneys and other professionals working in litigation, counseling, or consulting on environmental and land use law and regulation. This Section hosts monthly lunchtime CLEs, and some recent topics have included:
- “Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, California: Could Washington’s Impact Fee Regime Come Under Attack?”
- “Writing Effective Comment Letters to Federal Agencies”
- “Key Elements for Settling Complex Environmental Claims”
Guardianship and Elder Law Section
This group hosts monthly CLEs with engaging discussions on community programs and legislative efforts that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and the older adult population. Some of this year’s CLE presentations have been on topics such as:
- “Adult Protective Services Investigations”
- “Understanding Dementia: Implications for Elder Law Attorneys”
- “Measure Twice and Cut Once: Building Estate Planning Documents that Actually Work”
Indian Law Section
The goal for this brand-new Section is to provide attorneys, and non-attorneys working in this space, with a platform to discuss evolving facets of federal, tribal and state laws that impact Indigenous communities. If you’re interested in joining this Section, membership is complimentary through June 30, 2025. Please email sections@kcba.org if you’re interested in learning more about leadership opportunities. We are excited to provide the members with CLE programs and special events in the future. Stay tuned!
Intellectual Property Law Section
This Section hosts lunchtime CLEs on IP issues such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, licensing, privacy, evidence and discovery, contracts, computer crime, taxation, litigation and legislation. Members do not need to work in the IP space to come and learn about this ever-evolving practice area. Some CLE topics hosted this year have included:
- “U.S Privacy Compliance and Cybersecurity”
- “Legal Basics for Licensing to Leverage and Optimize IP Value”
- “Can Disclaimers Negate Confusion in the Wake of Jack Daniel’s v. VIP Products?”
Labor and Employment Law Section
This Section focuses its efforts on a yearly conference, usually in the spring, at the Seattle Convention Center. The event is always a wonderful get-together with opportunities to network with your peers and to learn through loads of CLE presentations. To find out more information or to join the planning committee for the 2025 conference, please visit www.pacificlaborlaw.com.
Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section
Of all 18 KCBA Sections, this Section is our largest and rivals the Solo & Small Firm practitioners for the most active listserv! With 572 members, this Section consistently hosts ten 1-hour lunchtime CLEs each year, and we anticipate hosting a special event (or two!) in the upcoming year. If you practice in real property, probate, trust, or estate planning, this Section may be for you! A few of this past year’s CLE topics included:
- “Fiduciary Income & Estate Tax Issues”
- “Money Stories: A Tool for Thoughtful Estate Planning”
- “Corporate Transparency Act: What Estate Planners Need to Know”
- “Washington Probate and Trust Legislative Updates”
- “Recent Developments in Washington Real Estate Law”
All KCBA Sections invite guests (non-Section members) to join for 1 complimentary CLE per membership year. If you haven’t already, use this free CLE to see if Section membership is for you. If you have any questions regarding KCBA Sections, please email sections@kcba.org.
Jordan Brock is KCBA’s Member Services Coordinator who supports KCBA Section’s programming and events.
