In February 2024, the Bar Bulletin published a piece entitled, “From the River to the Sea,” which generated considerable controversy. That controversy, and the errors that the KCBA concluded had been made in the piece’s placement and publication, led the KCBA Board of Trustees to create a volunteer Task Force that would recommend editorial guidelines and best practices for the Bar Bulletin. These recommended editorial guidelines and best practices would then be submitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration.

Last month I announced an important step in the process of “spinning off” the Housing Justice Project as its own entity, by introducing you to Lisa Stone, who serves as the Transition Administrator in that process. Lisa got right to work, meeting with stake holders, sending out communications, and identifying key steps to help move the spinoff forward. I am grateful to have Lisa’s help and to benefit from her years of experience in the legal/non-profit arena.

You have been hearing quite a bit recently about the King County Bar Association’s Housing Justice project with Board President Overbey’s article in the July issue of our Bar Bulletin, our News and Events and even the press. As previously shared, Washington’s adoption of SB 5160 in 2021 guaranteeing legal counsel for low-income tenants in Washington facing eviction proceedings increased the work, and the size of the HJP exponentially. Today, KCBA’s HJP is forty-seven (47) employees providing representation and support to clients in King County and beyond. The KCBA’s stewardship of the HJP and our participation in advocacy leading to the adoption of SB 5160 is an immense source of pride for our members, our Board, and the dedicated staff carrying out this important work.

Native Hawaiian stories incorporate the mo‘o kū‘auhau (genealogy) of people and places, often beginning with ‘ōlelo no‘eau (proverbs). This story spotlights a 40-year-old Native Hawaiian, Appalachian Scotch-Irish, tech-IP-Indigenous-rights lawyer practicing in King County: Makalika Naholowa‘a. With Makalika’s guidance, the story is presented in a Hawaiian way, with Hawaiian concepts as well as Appalachian ‘ōlelo no‘eau passed down in her ‘ohana (family).

‘Ohana – Family | Mo‘o kū‘auhau – Genealogy | Kulāiwi – Native/ancestral land | One Hānau – Birthplace

As a young lawyer, mediation did not come naturally. I remember in law school that the one course offered on negotiations was taught by a lawyer with a background in labor law. Her focus was on how things proceeded with labor negotiations. At that time, I had no context for that information and when tasked with mock negotiation problems, I felt like I was being asked to speak a foreign language.

The King County Bar Association hosted another Night With the Mariners on June 28! Almost 50 KCBA members enjoyed another exciting M’s victory in perfect weather conditions at T-Mobile Park.

This month, the Records Project is spotlighting Volunteer Attorney Amy Mandin. Amy began volunteering with the Records Project in early 2022, and since then, she has consistently proven herself to be a dedicated, zealous advocate.

Some of you may know that I like to play cards. I play Pinochle, Euchre, Hearts, Rummy, Cribbage and many others. I have a Cribbage App on my phone which I often play to relax and turn my brain off. It is a way for me to focus my attention away from emails, texts, and all the other daily pressures we face. 

The shorter days of this month hint at summer having passed by so quickly. We are just about halfway through the season and this provides an incentive to check off all those summer activities that are not yet complete or make the most of what is left of the season as autumn approaches.
 

KCBA CLASSIFIEDS