Last month, we celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. as well as our former Presidents. These individuals are great examples of what it means to be a guiding light. I think it is appropriate to discuss the importance of becoming a guiding light for others.

Did you know? The Mission of the King County Bar Association New Lawyers Division (NLD) is to further the objectives of new and aspiring lawyers by representing the diverse interests of the Division’s members to the Association and the legal community, creating opportunities for continuing legal education, mentoring, and networking, as well as addressing the needs of the community through pro bono and volunteer service.

Attorneys, by nature, tend to be some of the most patient people I know. Perhaps that comes with the deep understanding of the legal process involved in various types of business transactions, particularly those involving companies tackling a major restructuring initiative. Complex turnarounds are rarely simple and take time for the process to unfold.

You expect another tired narrative about the key tenets of legal storytelling, but this isn’t how that kind of article usually begins. You sit in your office and wonder, where is the introductory tale of trial woe?

Who’s your go to? Who will you call when your pro bono client has issues that you’re not an expert in, up to speed on, and time is of the essence? 

On behalf of the KCBA Dispute Resolution section, we invite you to mark your calendars to attend the 27th Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference, sponsored by the WSBA Dispute Resolution section and hosted at the University of Washington School of Law. 

Immigration has always been a hot button issue but the new administration’s promises to launch a mass deportation program at “lightning speed” has pushed the issue front and center. 

Oscar Aguirre manages KCBA’s Records Project, a pro bono program that helps individuals vacate eligible criminal convictions from their record and obtain waivers of legal financial obligations, thereby removing barriers to stable housing and employment. Oscar’s path to his work with the Records Project began when he was a child. His parents found him argumentative and naturally suggested Oscar consider being a lawyer. Oscar started building his skills at Squalicum High School in Bellingham, where he participated on the Debate Team and competed against other schools. He found that researching, writing, and arguing different topics—from political issues of the day to tariffs and embargos—were more fulfilling to him than his math and science courses.
 

There have been many new restaurant openings in the second half of 2024. We are trying to catch up with a few before addressing many new openings set for 2025.

The KCBA Labor & Employment Law Section is proud to present the 58th Annual Pacific Coast Labor & Employment Law Conference at the Seattle Convention Center on April 24 & 25, 2025. The longest-running labor and employment law conference in the Pacific Northwest, this event gathers 250 attendees each year—among them attorneys representing employees, unions, and management—as well as neutrals and government attorneys. The event is an excellent opportunity to network with your colleagues from across the region. National experts will present on a broad array of current and compelling issues, including: