Bylaw Changes to Strengthen Governance and Expand Membership
Over the years that I have worked at the King County Bar Association, the Bar has continually refined its bylaws to strengthen governance and improve operational efficiency. Notable updates during this time have included increasing the number of trustees to 17, streamlining elections by removing the requirement for contested races, and eliminating the need for a separate canvass board when conducting electronic elections.
Membership eligibility was also expanded to include honorary members and students from any accredited U.S. law school versus just those from Washington law schools. Additionally, the Secretary’s term was revised to begin in the third year of a trustee’s three-year term rather than the first, and it was clarified that all policy positions require board approval.
I am pleased to share that at the KCBA Board of Trustees meeting on January 19, 2025, the Board approved the most recent set of bylaw amendments, thanks to the leadership of the New Lawyers Division (NLD). The NLD took the initiative to form the Membership Tiers Taskforce whose charge was to enhance inclusivity within KCBA by reviewing membership categories and identifying legal professionals who were previously ineligible for membership.
Following a comprehensive review, the Taskforce identified several key groups excluded from KCBA membership:
- Retired attorneys with inactive Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) licenses.
- Law school graduates who did not pursue licensure after graduation.
- Legal professionals who changed careers and became inactive with WSBA, and
- Internationally licensed attorneys qualified to practice law outside the United States.
To close these gaps, the Taskforce proposed essential bylaw amendments, including:
- Creating a new JD-only membership category for individuals holding a U.S. Juris Doctor (JD) or LLM degree, or an equivalent international degree.
- Expanding Retired Membership to include anyone who voluntarily resigns licensure, regardless of reason.
- Extending Student Membership eligibility for six months post-graduation to support new graduates during their transition into practice.
Beyond membership changes, the Board also approved a revision that allows the KCBA President to designate and appoint chairpersons and members to the Leadership Development and Nominations Committees without requiring Board of Trustees approval. This adjustment streamlines leadership appointments and aligns the process with how the current bylaws govern appointments for standing committees, special committees, and task forces.
Now that the Board of Trustees has approved these proposed bylaw amendments, the next step requires a vote of the membership at an upcoming membership meeting later this spring. Stay tuned to this space, the KCBA website and the monthly News & Events E-Newsletter for updated information including:
- A summary of the proposed changes;
- The redline version of the bylaws as approved by the Board of Trustees;
- Proxy submission procedures, and
- The date and time of the upcoming membership meeting where the vote will take place.
These collaborative efforts and proposed changes reflect KCBA’s ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic legal community for all.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Amanda Simantov, Chair of the New Lawyers Division, for her outstanding leadership in navigating this project through the governance process. Special thanks also to the NLD Taskforce members for their diligent work in addressing membership gaps and proposing thoughtful solutions. I also extend my appreciation to Michelle Pham, KCBA Secretary and Chair of the Member Services Committee, and the members of the Member Services Committee, for their invaluable contributions. Lastly, I want to thank Bridget Schuster, KCBA Member Services Director, for her dedication to the project and her coordination efforts to ensure each group had the opportunity to provide their input.
