The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meeting held on September 10,
2025, convened by KCBA President Sidney Tribe.
The Board of Trustees convened its first meeting of the membership year on Sept. 10, with President Sidney Tribe calling the session to order at noon. Trustees, staff, and guests gathered to tackle a full agenda that balanced routine governance with forward-looking discussions about pro bono programs, finances, and KCBA initiatives.
President Tribe opened with remarks on a restructured agenda format designed to improve meeting flow. She also highlighted two major upcoming events for members: a town hall conversation with journalist and scholar Linda Greenhouse on Oct. 9 at the Rainier Club, and the annual Bench Bar Conference on Nov. 11 at the Seattle Convention Center.
Financials and Resolutions
Treasurer Neal Black reported that while revenues came in under budget, careful expense management produced a modest year-end surplus, which is an improvement over the deficit originally projected. The board unanimously adopted a resolution affirming KCBA’s ongoing support for Volunteer Lawyer Programs, reinforcing its commitment to access to justice.
Updates on HJP Spinoff
Discussion on the Housing Justice Project’s transition to becoming an independent entity continued. Guest presenter Lisa Stone noted that the new transitional board is active, with Apex Legal Group overseeing incorporation and IRS filings. KCBA will continue to provide back-office support during the transition and retain a portion of HJP revenues for a limited time. Trustees requested clearer financial reporting, going forward, to distinguish KCBA funds from HJP accounts.
Judicial Officer Survey at a Crossroads
A robust exchange centered on the future of the long-running Judicial Officer Survey program. While historically a valuable tool for evaluating the local judiciary, the program faces financial hurdles — a $21,000 budget line in a deficit year — as well as concerns about statistical reliability and potential bias. Trustees weighed options including delaying the survey, revising its methodology, or presenting results without numerical ratings. Further discussions are expected, with an emphasis on preserving credibility and fairness.
Membership and Committee Shifts
Membership Director Bridget Schuster reported on classification errors in student memberships and announced leadership changes in the Lawyer Referral Service Committee: Kristy Ball is stepping in as chair after many years of service from Seth Rosenberg.
Looking Ahead
The meeting closed with updates from the New Lawyers Division and reminders from Executive Director Kathleen Jensen on committee sign-ups, membership dues, and the nearly finalized collective bargaining agreement.
From this initial meeting, KCBA’s board has set the tone for an active and engaged year ahead.
Sophie Petersen of KCBA’s Marketing & Communications wrote on behalf of Caleb Bonm, the Board of Trustees secretary.
