A few weeks ago, I was honored once again to attend KCBA’s fall swearing-in ceremony for new bar admittees. This is a wonderful, inspiring event that always makes me reflect. I think not only about the start of my journey as a lawyer, but also about that feeling of awe and solemnity at taking the oath.1 Our broader legal community no doubt experienced this nostalgia at the May 1 event this year, where hundreds of already practicing lawyers recommitted to their oaths.
But at this particular event, I thought about the fact that when I was sworn in at this semiannual KCBA-hosted ceremony in 2002, I knew little about KCBA and was not a member. My job at the time was not fully in the practice of law; I dabbled in administrative hearings practice and repped the local bar-review company. I didn’t join KCBA until five years later, in 2007, and I joined because my then-boss, Phil Talmadge, said, “It’s the only bar association that has an appellate practice section.”
So I’ll fully admit that when I first joined, it was for pragmatic, practice-related reasons, to take advantage of the section’s benefits. And that is certainly a great reason that many people sign up for and financially support KCBA, along with pro bono programs, law school and LSAT scholarships, the lawyer referral service, and other high-profile ventures.
But over these years, I have learned so much more about the tools, resources, and opportunities that KCBA affords, if only members are aware of them. So this month, let’s take a look at some of the many efforts of this organization that may not always be the most visible, but can have a tremendous impact.
Our committees are amazing. Seriously.
I know what you’re thinking: “Committees? Really? That’s what you lead with?” Committees are not glamorous-sounding endeavors, but these are incredible opportunities to lead KCBA and have your say on issues affecting the legal community, our judicial system, and many other topics. For example:
Public Policy
The King County Bar Association has a proud tradition of being the legal profession’s voice in Seattle, King County, Olympia, and the nation’s capital to champion access to justice, promote the administration of justice, and encourage policies that will benefit the greater good. Demonstrations of KCBA advocacy, facilitated through its robust public policy committee, include forming Washington’s legal aid system in the 1930s, evaluating judicial performance since 1948, launching the public defender office in 1968, advocating for drug policy reform in 2001, backing same-sex marriage in 2005, arguing against the death penalty in 2013, and the ongoing fights for humane housing laws and juvenile justice.
Anti-Racism and Equity
This committee, formerly known as the Diversity Committee, works to advance KCBA’s goal of increasing diversity in the legal profession. Efforts include establishing benchmarks for measuring success in increasing the bar and bench’s diversity, and building strong partnerships with the minority bar associations in our community. The committee also recommends allocating minority scholarship grants from the King County Bar Foundation for the county’s law schools.
Judicial Candidate Evaluation
Because we have an elected judiciary, there is a need to inform voters about the qualifications of those seeking office. Rating judicial candidates for election or appointment is consequently one of the most important public services the bar provides to the public.
KCBA commits to issuing ratings in any contested judicial election that appears on King County ballots. This means every level of court, from limited jurisdictions such as Seattle Municipal Court and King County Superior Court to the Washington Supreme Court. KCBA also, on request, conducts ratings for candidates seeking appointment to judicial vacancies.
You don’t need to be a trial lawyer or even regularly appear in court to participate on this committee. We do require that you have been admitted to the bar for at least three years before serving.
New Lawyers Division (for which you don’t have to be “young” anymore!)
When I joined KCBA in 2007, I was 35 ½ years old. Back then, this entity was called the “Young Lawyers Division” and the age cutoff was 36. So I didn’t join YLD. But recently, the smart folks at the Division decided that what was important was not your age, but whether you were new to the practice of law. They transformed it into the New Lawyers Division.
The NLD is a KCBA powerhouse that has its own board of trustees, whose chair is the liaison between the NLD and KCBA board. It has robust programs focusing on practice development, social events, communications and outreach, and community involvement. It is an incredibly active organization that is now fun for ALL ages.
Sections and Special Programs
I realize it’s highly likely you are aware that KCBA has sections. However, did you know we have some sections that WSBA doesn’t have? If you are interested in developing your knowledge of appellate practice, child law, aviation law, collaborative law, or even the oft-coveted role of in-house counsel, we’ve got a section for that.
We also have ongoing special programs designed to educate, connect, and deepen the ties that bind us as lawyers and as a community. For example, right now, you can go to our website and sign up for the Civics Stewardship Program. This exciting new program is aimed at teaching community members the basic structure of our government. In particular, it aims to dispel misunderstandings about our justice system and its role in the three branches of government. Two volunteers, a lawyer and a judge, will visit community groups interested in receiving a presentation.
We also celebrate Law Day every May 1 with activities to educate and engage youth in the importance of using their voices to address crucial questions concerning democracy.
KCBA even has a book club, which meets in person and on Zoom! Find out at https://kcba.org/?pg=bookclub. This month’s reading is “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen” by Jose Antonio Vargas.
This barely scratches the surface of what KCBA is and what KCBA does. There isn’t enough room here to discuss our CLEs, publications, amicus briefs, inter-organizational work, and so much more.
If you are a member, we want you to make use of all that our hardworking staff and volunteers have created and fostered.
And keep a lookout for the announcement of the spring swearing-in ceremony. You don’t need an invitation to be there for the inspirational boost.
1 I also fondly reflected on the slight giggle that we all suppressed when we promised to “refrain from offensive personalities.”
