Emma Tolliver examines how the University of Washington recently became the first U.S. university to define AI-generated sexual abuse as sexual exploitation under its campus policy. She details the advocacy of Survivors + Allies In Law, the legal challenges posed by First Amendment protections, and why universities are uniquely positioned to protect students where courts and legislatures have fallen short. 

Eric Gillett explains why mediation often provides a more effective, cost-efficient, and confidential way to resolve legal disputes than going to trial. While trials can sometimes yield favorable judgments, they carry steep financial, emotional, and strategic risks. By weighing both options and considering concepts like BATNA, you can help clients choose the path that best balances certainty, cost, and outcome.

KCBA’s 2025 Bench-Bar Conference is fast approaching, a wonderful annual event that I hope members plan to attend. It is a chance to gather and learn about a wide range of topics relating to our judicial system and the practice of law in our state and federal courts. This year you will have the chance to hear from the Litigator’s Roundtable about the use of AI, trial readiness, and sanctions orders. We will have a Tribal Law update from the Seattle University Northwest Center for Indigenous Law. None other than Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens will provide a Supreme Court update. A panel of distinguished federal district court and Washington state court judges will talk about our federal courts, state courts, and courts of limited jurisdiction. The program will conclude with a session about ethics and the rule of law.
 

One of my favorite traditions of our Bar is the annual gathering of past presidents from both the King County Bar Association and the King County Bar Foundation. What began years ago as an annual breakfast meeting has evolved into a cherished fall reception, blending food, fellowship, and reflection on the history and future of our organizations.
 

Helen Boyer features David Seeley, whose career spans criminal prosecution, serving as general counsel to Marlon Brando, international law, and school district representation. Seeley has tried more than 150 cases, managed Brando Enterprises, and helped establish Tetiaroa Society, a French Polynesian research nonprofit. Throughout his career and this interview, he emphasized respect, communication, and helping others.

Civil Rule 52 requires that in all actions tried upon the facts without a jury, the trial “court shall find those facts specially and state separately its conclusions of law.”1 While the trial court is not required to (and should not)2 make findings as to every piece of evidence introduced, it must make findings concerning all the ultimate facts and material issues.3 Ultimate facts are the necessary and controlling facts that must be found for the court to apply the law to reach a decision.4 The purpose of findings is to “enable an appellate court to intelligently review relevant questions upon appeal.”5 In other words, findings are intended to inform the appellate court “what questions were decided by the trial court, and the manner in which they were decided.”6
 

The Self Help Plus Program has been assisting pro se litigants since 1982 by providing guidance through an often overwhelming legal system.

As an avid bike commuter, I’ve always been curious about what a bike law practice entails. In this article, we talk with attorneys Jessica Cutler and Bob Anderton of Washington Bike Law to get the spin on all things bike law. 

Should business owners facing financial trouble fight to reorganize or step aside? Experts Geoff Groshong and Al Davis break down the pros and cons of Subchapter V bankruptcy versus receivership. This decision comes down to more than just the numbers.

As we enter the fall season, many law practices are ramping up to prepare trials and other matters to be completed before the end of the year. Our judges and staff are also preparing for the business of the fall season. Courts have the task of preparing for what comes in the door, creating systems that can handle the volume of cases that come forward for resolution. Our society depends on the systems the courts create to handle disputes that require resolution. Those types of disputes change over time. For example, what used to be tree-cutting arguments between neighbors are now disputes that are regulated by environmental statutes, land preservation statutes, and growth management principles.