Did you know? The KCBA Young Lawyers Division (now known as the New Lawyers Division) was formed in 1949 to meet the needs of service members returning from World War II.

The practice of law presents challenges at every stage. New and seasoned lawyers alike frequently realize the profession demands much more than knowledge of statutes and case law. 

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.