A group of prospective jurors clambers into the courtroom (or Zoom room), and the attorneys scan the crowd. Looking at a random group of their peers, naturally an attorney on one or both sides leans into a colleague and whispers “looks like a motley crew.” Typical Monday morning.

In "The Double-Edged Sword," Eric Gillett explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence for lawyers and mediators. Drawing from personal reflections and professional insight, Gillett outlines AI’s powerful capabilities — such as analyzing documents, evaluating risks, and streamlining processes — while cautioning against its limits and ethical pitfalls and recognizing AI’s potential to enhance our work.

In “Decades of Dedication,” Bridget Schuster spotlights the enduring commitment of longtime Table Captains at our Breakfast With Champions. Some have supported the annual event for over 15 years — and its mission to fund access-to-justice initiatives. Through their own reflections, these Table Captains answer why they carry on with support, their favorite keynote speeches over the years, and more. Their stories underscore the vital role of sustained volunteer leadership in advancing KCBF’s work and fostering camaraderie across the King County legal community.

What a great way to start the day! Thanks to everyone who turned out bright and early at the Westin on May 6. Your participation made this a hugely successful event.

Members of the King County Bar Association find lasting relationships; gain business, career, and legal insights; and give back to the community through committee work, donations, and pro bono service. Our community accomplished amazing things this past year, and I am certain our new membership year (starting July 1, 2025) will bring even more opportunities for every attorney.

On April 22, the King County Bar Association hosted a swearing-in ceremony for 39 new attorneys. The King County Superior courtroom was packed with friends and family celebrating the new admittees’ achievement alongside Presiding Judge Ketu Shah.

The required time period for accepting nominations has concluded, and the King County Bar Association New Lawyers Division will now vote on the following slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the NLD Board.

NLD members who wish to challenge the slate may run against the candidates named below by submitting a petition signed by at least five NLD members in good standing (or 25 signatures if challenging the chair position) and filing that petition with the office of the King County Bar Association on or before 3 p.m. Friday, June 13.

For more information about the petition process, please contact KCBA Member Services Director Bridget Schuster at bridgets@kcba.org.

An electronic election will occur only if a petition to challenge one or more candidates is received by the deadline. If an election is required, members will be sent a voting link by June 20 via their email address on file with KCBA. 

In response to derision over a politically charged article, the KCBA Board of Trustees formed a Task Force to review Bulletin editorial practices. Led by Benjamin Gould (this article’s author), the Task Force recommended greater oversight, clearer editorial guidelines, and reestablishing a review committee. The KCBA Board adopted new guidelines in April 2025 to prevent future issues, limit political content, and clarify that opinions published do not reflect KCBA viewpoints.

Kiyoko Kamio, a law lecturer in Japan and WSBA member, uses music to enrich education, exploring ethical and legal questions around cryonics, the practice of preserving bodies in hopes of future revival. By blending lyrical analysis with classroom tools like mock trials, Kamio engages students in discussions about mortality, autonomy, and emerging technology. For instance, Spring Day, by South Korean pop icons BTS, can mirror the suspended state of cryopreserved individuals.

In recent years, we’ve read and heard many describe American culture as having entered a “post-truth” era. The headlines are numerous, often with references to the rise of misinformation and blind political partisanship.