My Next Chapter at KCBA: Leading with Gratitude and Purpose
After 18 years of serving as the Associate Executive Director and a recent stint as Interim Executive Director of the King County Bar Association (KCBA), I am honored to step into the role of Executive Director. This milestone is not just a reflection of my career journey but a testament to the unwavering support I’ve received from so many along the way.
First, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the members, volunteers, and esteemed colleagues in the legal community who have offered me kind words, encouragement, and inspiration over the past few weeks. Your trust and belief in our shared mission drives me to give my very best every day.
I also want to acknowledge the KCBA staff—a team of dedicated professionals who exemplify collaboration and resilience. Together, they tirelessly uphold KCBA’s mission: to connect and serve our diverse legal community, promote professional and judicial excellence, engage in public policy, and increase access to justice. It is an honor to work alongside such committed individuals who make extraordinary things happen for our members and the people we serve.
As I step into this new role, I am committed to fostering partnerships across KCBA’s teams to create a more equitable and considerate workplace. I envision a KCBA where every employee feels empowered to bring their unique perspectives to the table, driving innovation and inclusiveness in all that we do. At the same time, we are working on exciting initiatives to expand the reach of our membership, increase our pool of volunteers, and engage more donors. I’m truly inspired by these opportunities and excited for what the future holds for the King County Bar.
A Season of Gratitude and Giving
As December unfolds, I am reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling—it is an action. This season offers us an opportunity to reflect on the privilege of serving others and to extend kindness to those in need. It is a time to embrace the words of Denzel Washington:
“At the end, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.”
At KCBA, giving back is one of the core principles of what we do to achieve access to justice. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made in 2024 where the generosity of our volunteer and staff attorneys allowed our Pro Bono programs to serve nearly 6,000 clients. Here’s a summary of each program’s accomplishments over the past year:
- Neighborhood Legal Clinics: Over 3,640 consultations provided by 584 volunteers who contributed 1,931 hours of pro bono service.
- Family Law Programs: 195 clients, including domestic violence survivors, supported with critical legal aid for protection orders and family law cases.
- Kinship Care Programs: Legal advice, referrals, and representation provided to 322 caregivers navigating complex legal challenges.
- Housing Justice Project: 1,766 clients served, with over $5 million in rental assistance distributed in collaboration with King County, United Way, and other partners.
- Records Project: 31 clients helped to vacate eligible convictions, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives.
These accomplishments are more than just numbers—they represent real lives transformed, families supported, and justice made more accessible. None of this would be possible without the generosity of people like you. Join us today by making a year end donation to the King County Bar Foundation. Donate now at www.kcbf.org as every contribution makes a difference.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate these achievements, I am filled with hope for the future. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and expand our reach, ensuring that KCBA remains a champion of justice for our legal community and the public it serves.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you! Your encouragement and contributions fuel our mission. Let’s continue to lift others, make a difference, and give back.
Kathleen Jensen is KCBA’s Executive Director. She can be reached by email at (kathleenj@kcba.org) or phone (206.267.7053).
