October is the month to celebrate the harvest and embrace the beginning of the autumnal chill. Our shadows grow longer, and we are reminded it is also the month synonymous with ghouls, goblins, tricks and treats. Thanks to KCBA, there is no need to be spooked. Instead, I encourage you to stick your hand in the KCBA candy jar and take advantage of all the treats we have in store for you this month. Whether that treat is learning, volunteering, or honing a sense of community, take advantage of your membership and come out for one of our events. Grab as many as you want!
The beginning of the month brings an opportunity for inspiration while welcoming our newest members of the bar. The new lawyer swearing-in ceremony at the King County Superior Courthouse takes place October 4th, co-hosted with KCBA. There will be a noon ceremony, keynoted by Mayor Bruce Harrell, and a 4:30 p.m. ceremony keynoted by The Honorable John Chun.
Like many King County lawyers, I still remember standing in that great room atop the courthouse with a sense of pride and accomplishment (and admittedly a little fear) as I officially embarked upon my chosen profession. Having attended and participated in many of these ceremonies since, the words of the speakers to our earnest and eager new admittees always inspire and move. Along with witnessing the pride of these new lawyers, their friends, and their families, I often come away with a renewed enthusiasm for our practice of law. It reminds us how privileged we are to work in a profession which effects real change in people’s lives. In addition to the inspiration from our speakers, it is also inspiring to see the judges come together to welcome the new members of the bar. I encourage you to join us in welcoming the new members of the bar (and future KCBA members).
Another delightful treat KCBA offers you this month is the KCBA Book Club. The Book Club is an excellent opportunity to come together with other members (without having to talk about all things law). The Book Club is reading Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, a hauntingly beautiful tale tracing the fates of two family lineages in Ghana. We will be meeting virtually on October 17th and in-person on October 24th, led by our Member Services Director, Bridget Schuster. This club is a wonderful opportunity to meet and engage with fellow KCBA members.
An opportunity for learning (and earning those much-needed ethics credits) comes through our continuing legal education. This month we begin a very important series, “2023 Racial Bias in Washington Courtrooms: The History Behind (and Practicalities Following) the Supreme Court’s Henderson Decision.” Mark your calendars for Part One beginning October 5th. Judges Veronica Galvan and Ketu Shah will lead the discussion entitled, “The Backdrop of Bias — Emerging Through Bias: Toward a More Fair and Equitable Legal System.” The presentation and discussion will also focus on the Objective Observer Standard set forth in State v. Tesfasilasye, State v. Sum, Henderson v. Thompson, and Michigan v. Schuette.
The series continues on October 20th with Part Two, “Overview of the Objective Observer Standard.” Lila Silverstein of the Washington Appellate Project and Salvador A. Munglia of Gordon Thomas Honeywell will lead the presentation, which will present an in-depth look into GR 37 and its broader application to address racial biases in varying contexts of criminal and non-criminal cases. Part Three of this important and impactful series of CLEs has recently been announced. Join us on October 30th to learn “Practicalities of Trial Practice Post-Henderson.” This programming is part of KCBA’s commitment to anti-racism.
For another treat, your October opportunity to volunteer at KCBA awaits. You needn’t wait until Halloween, and there is no requirement even to ring our doorbell (we prefer email or phone calls). Have you thought about a committee? In addition to a wide array of pro bono opportunities, KCBA is seeking contributing volunteers for our myriad committees. Working on a committee is an excellent way to meet fellow members of the bar while meaningfully advancing KCBA’s mission.
We are actively looking for volunteers for the Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee. KCBA has long been committed to working with the judiciary to achieve excellence, equity and accessibility in the administration of justice. With that commitment comes the necessary work of evaluating judicial candidates who are seeking appointment or election to the bench. KCBA issues ratings in contested judicial elections that appear on the ballot for King County voters, and it also conducts ratings upon request for candidates seeking appointment to a judicial vacancy. All of this work is done through this committee and its current co-chairs, Colin Mieling and Heather Barker. The Committee is seeking volunteers to participate in this ratings process. Please consider volunteering to be active in this important process that aims to inform the public about judicial candidates.
Under the guidance of its Chair, Michelle Pham, our Member Services Committee is also on the lookout for enthusiastic members. The committee’s mission is to ensure KCBA effectively addresses its members’ needs. To achieve this, active participation from members like you is indispensable. If you are interested in being a part of this committee or another, please reach out to KCBA’s Membership Program Manager, Tom Lockyear, at toml@kcba.org. Naturally, all of our committees warmly welcome individuals eager to donate their time and contribute to KCBA’s work.
Whether it is watching new lawyers enter our profession, sipping a cup of hot cider while discussing a book, learning about the ways in which racism affects our judicial system, or volunteering with KCBA, there is no reason to hide under your blanket this October. I encourage you to use your membership. You will feel engaged and enlightened. I promise it is not a trick.
