Did you miss your chance for tickets to see U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speak on September 9?
KCBA hosted a reception at Benaroya Hall before the discussion between Justice Jackson and Melinda Gates, and this event was only available for purchase by our current membership. The tickets sold out immediately and we had a wonderful event (see page 12 for more information and pictures from the event).
This is a great example of the member events KCBA offers and that non-members may miss out on attending. KCBA hosts many member nights out every year, including group tickets to sporting events and theater performances. Seeing Justice Jackson was KCBA’s first foray into a Seattle Arts & Lectures event, and the pairing of attorneys with book readings seems elementary. Justice Jackson discussed her new memoir, “Lovely One.” The book was for sale at the event and KCBA is hosting bookclub discussions on Justice Jackson’s memoir on October 2 (in-person with lunch) and 9 (virtual). Bookclub meetings are also exclusive member-only events.
We urge you to renew your membership if you haven’t already, so that you won’t miss out on future experiences. Our new membership year began on July 1, but if you were a member in 2023–24, you were provided with a grace period until October 1. As of October 1, your member benefits have ended unless you renewed. (By the way, if you’re receiving this Bar Bulletin, you’re not necessarily a current member! Check your membership status by going to www.kcba.org and logging in, or email membership@kcba.org.)
In addition to our Member Nights Out, there are so many other benefits to joining KCBA or renewing, including:
- Join a Committee to make an impact on our judiciary (Judicial Candidate Evaluations or Judicial Survey committees); take positions on legislation (Public Policy) and revisions to court rules (Judiciary & Litigation); or shape the future of KCBA’s programming and benefits (Member Services, Continuing Legal Education). Our New Lawyers Division runs several active committees as well, which are open to all KCBA members regardless of years of practice. Consider the boost to your career, as well: Many of our Committee members become KCBA or KCBF board members and count Committee and Board participation among their career highlights.
- Engage with a Section to focus on your particular area of practice. We have more than a dozen practice-area focused Sections to choose from, and these groups are always looking for CLE speakers, new leadership, and enthusiastic members. Join a Section and you will earn free CLE credit, meet others with similar or associated law practices, and keep up on the latest. Each Section also has a listserv for sharing ideas and referrals.
- Build your practice with LRS. KCBA’s Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) helps community members find attorneys — not for pro bono help but for paid legal assistance at your already-established hourly rates. We provide referrals in nearly every area of law and receive thousands of calls per year. Join LRS and give it a try — to build your book of business and expand your marketing reach.
- Expand legal access with KCBF. KCBA makes it so easy to give back to your community. Through our King County Bar Foundation (KCBF), we support free legal services for low-income community members. The Foundation also provides diversity scholarships to historically underrepresented groups at both of our local law schools. KCBA also offers many ways to donate your time through our Neighborhood Legal Clinics (50th anniversary this year!), Records Project, and others.
- Bring legal know-how to the public and legal career possibilities to local students. KCBA has created a toolkit for local courthouses to help them host Law Day events for middle- and high-school students to learn about the law, civics, and potential future law-related jobs. KCBA also provides opportunities to help the public understand the law, including our Neighborhood Legal Clinics, our Lawyer Referral Service, and other resources.
We are also working to establish a new KCBA mentoring program, building support systems for the new alternative pathways to licensure being formed by WSBA, and considering new and engaging ways to provide networking and CLE opportunities for our members to account for post-covid changes in our members’ working habits. Be a part of the future by joining us! Your voice is valuable, whether you’ve practiced for one year or 20.
