During a recent mediation, defense counsel confided that she was having a difficult time keeping her client fully engaged in the mediation that brought everyone together.

Symbols come in many forms. We encounter and assimilate them every day in ways that translate to life or death: a light at an intersection signals it is safe to walk across a car-filled street. A simple drawing in our new product’s packaging warns how to avoid serious injury to our loved ones. These and a million other daily signs and symbols are simple, powerful, and meaningful. They alter our view of reality, and we change our behavior because of them. We change our behavior. Because of them.

I often get questions from folks who are thinking of a judicial career about what actions they can take to position themselves to be an excellent judicial candidate. Often, I speak about getting trial experience to show your proficiency in managing a courtroom, be professional and respectful to everyone especially opposing counsel and staff because that will reflect on your demeanor. Be engaged in your personal and legal community because it shows your commitment to public service. And of course, work hard, meet deadlines, be prepared, and demonstrate your intellectual analytic ability in your written and oral presentations. For many people, these are some obvious points of advice. Often people have practices where they do not get the opportunity to be in court, so I recommend they volunteer as Guardian Ad Litems (a huge need in minor dependencies and for vulnerable adults) or volunteer with the Court looking for attorneys to assist those litigants who have an ADA accommodation. Also, there are great legal clinics (KCBA Neighborhood clinic, ELAP clinic, NWIRP clinic, and many others) where you can get cases to help folks and get real world courtroom experience.

KCBA’s Leadership Development & Nominations Committee is announcing its slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees, effective July 1. These introductions from the candidates are a great way to learn about them. Additional candidates may enter the race via the petition process in the bylaws, with a deadline of April 10. For more information, please contact Executive Director Kathleen Jensen by email (kathleenj@kcba.org) or phone (206.267.7053). If no petitions are received, the seven candidates will be considered elected. Thank you to the Committee for your recruitment work: Jennifer Payseno (Chair), Yvonne Chin, Stew Cogan, Robert Flennaugh II, Hon. Paris Kallas (Ret.), Eric Lansverk, Thomas Tobin, Shashi Vijay, and Lawrence Ward.

The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meeting held on February 19, 2025, convened by KCBA President Erin Overbey. After President Erin Overbey called the meeting to order, the Board approved the meeting minutes from January 22, 2025.

The KCBA Board of Trustees issues this statement in support of Perkins Coie, as the law firm faces an Executive Order entitled “Addressing Risks From Perkins Coie LLP.” The KCBA Board strongly opposes the Executive Order, which it sees as an unconstitutional misuse of authority that threatens the rule of law and legal advocacy. The Order targets Perkins Coie and imposes severe sanctions based on the firm’s representation of certain clients. The Board says that this action not only harms Perkins Coie but all law firms that represent a client or an idea that is unpopular with federal leadership. The Board commends Perkins Coie’s fight against this infringement on legal rights and professional independence.

Did you know? As a benefit of your KCBA NLD membership you have access to the KCBA CLE library! Whether an NLD attorney new to practice or a student member of the NLD you have access to hundreds of on demand CLE’s at great rates! This vast library of CLE material is sure to have a topic to pique your interest! In addition, CLE’s specifically sponsored by the NLD are free to NLD members. Check the KCBA NLD webpage for information about upcoming CLE’s offered to NLD members. We hope to see you there!

“Always Appealing” is a column addressing current issues in appellate practice and recent appellate cases written by the lawyers of Smith Goodfriend, P.S., a Seattle law firm that limits its practice to civil appeals and related trial court motions practice.

After two clerkships and a few years in appellate practice, I have written the summary judgment standard of review more times than I can count. Surely, our esteemed Always Appealing readers could faithfully recite the chapter and verse like pious disciples in the Church of CR 56—”the standard of review is de novo, of course!”

Over 15 years ago my partner (we are a bit like Dharma and Greg) “requested” that I take an eight-week mindfulness course and willingly joined me.

“ …if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1968

Huge appreciation to the many lawyers, judges, and community members who joined King County Bar at Seattle Convention Center on January 17, 2025 for this year’s MLK Luncheon. Every year we invite a Keynote Speaker who will encourage us to remember, and live by, Dr. King’s message that every individual is entitled to equality and justice under the law.