Throughout my career, I have always belonged to a professional association. They weren’t bar associations, but they were membership organizations that aligned with the stage of my career at the time.
Early in my career, I worked as director of conventions and seminars for the California Chiropractic Association and was a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Through MPI, I learned from peers across the industry, participated in valuable educational programs, and developed relationships with hotel representatives who became trusted partners as I planned meetings throughout California. Those connections made me better at my job and opened doors I never would have found on my own.
When I moved back to Washington and joined the staff at KCBA, I became involved with the Washington Society for Association Executives (WSAE). Like many members, I initially sat back and observed. Eventually, I joined a committee, which led to leadership opportunities and seven years of service on the WSAE Board of Directors.
My membership experience has been far more than simply supporting an organization. It has connected me with colleagues who understand the challenges and opportunities of association work. Together, we’ve shared ideas, developed leadership skills, solved problems, and learned from one another’s unique experiences. I wouldn’t trade those relationships or experiences for anything.
That is why I believe so strongly in the value of membership organizations. No matter your profession, local associations create opportunities to grow, connect, and contribute. For lawyers, KCBA offers that opportunity every day. Membership helps power your next chapter by connecting you with colleagues across the legal community, expanding your expertise, developing leadership skills, and giving you a place to make a meaningful impact alongside others who share a commitment to the profession and the public we serve.
That brings me to this year’s membership renewal season. This year, we are doing something a little different. In early June, instead of receiving an envelope full of renewal paperwork, you will receive a postcard with a QR code that takes you directly to your MyKCBA portal to renew. Keep an eye out for your postcard and for our membership campaign theme, Power Your Next Chapter, featured in the advertisement below this column. It reflects what KCBA offers lawyers today: opportunities to engage, elevate, and enrich both their professional and personal lives.
Members who renew before June 30 will receive access to exclusive discounted registration for KCBA’s inaugural Annual Conference this September. Be sure to read Bridget’s ‘save-the-date’ article on page two to learn more about what promises to be an exciting new event for our legal community.
If you’d rather not receive multiple renewal reminders throughout the year, consider enrolling in auto-renew. You’ll receive a single annual notice before your credit card is charged, and you can opt out at any time.
For those who want to provide additional support to the association and fellow members, we offer membership levels that help subsidize reduced-rate memberships for alternative dues members, new admittees, retirees, and students.
Premier Membership ($1,000) includes:
- Two tickets each to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon, Breakfast With Champions, KCBA Awards Reception, and New Lawyers Division Spring Soirée;
- A $400 credit applicable to any CLE or KCBA member event;
- Eligibility to vote on KCBA referendums and hold KCBA Board positions if you live or work in King County.
Sustaining Membership ($500) includes:
- A $100 credit applicable to any CLE or KCBA member event;
- Eligibility to vote on KCBA referendums and hold KCBA Board positions if you live or work in King County.
Most importantly, these enhanced membership levels help ensure that KCBA remains accessible to lawyers and future lawyers at every stage of their careers.
2026 marks an extraordinary milestone. Founded in 1886, KCBA is the oldest legal organization in Washington State. For 140 years, members have sustained this association through their dues, volunteer service, leadership, donations, advocacy, and commitment to the legal profession. Every member — past and present — has contributed to KCBA’s enduring legacy.
I encourage you to begin this issue by reading Sidney Tribe’s lead article, as she reflects on how KCBA serves as a foundation for finding common cause and common ground. Her message reminds us that our profession is strongest when we remain connected to one another and committed to a shared purpose.
This June issue of the Bar Bulletin is being mailed to both current KCBA members and non-members. If your copy arrives with a sticker on the front, you’re not currently a member.
If you’re already a KCBA member, thank you! I encourage you to renew and keep your connections, resources, and voice active within our legal community. If you’re not currently a member, I invite you to join us. Membership is more than a transaction; it is an investment in your profession, your colleagues, and the future of the legal community we serve together.
By renewing or joining today, you’re helping ensure that KCBA’s mission, impact, and spirit of common ground remain strong for the next generation — and for the next 140 years.
Kathleen Jensen is KCBA’s executive director, and she can be reached by email at kathleenj@kcba.org or phone at 206.267.7053.
