Aren’t we fortunate in King County to benefit from the work of so many public servants and legal system participants striving to improve the lives of our community members? The efforts of so many in our community inspire me. Every day each of us makes a choice about what kind of community we are—giving to others, thinking of others and considering how our actions impact others. I’ve always loved being part of a profession, as opposed to simply reporting to a job. The law can be imperfect, but it also offers our greatest hope for stability and equality. I am grateful to be part of this community and to work alongside all of you to support and improve the rule of law.

We have tried a few places that are new to us even if not newly opened. Here is some of what we recently sampled at home and on the road.
 

Did you know? The NLD board continues to accept applications for open board positions. Trustees serving on the NLD board serve two- to three-year terms on rotating cycles. The Board is currently accepting applications and nominations for Trustees for the 2026-2027 service term, which begins July 1, 2026. 

The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meeting held Jan. 21, 2026, and convened by KCBA President Sidney Tribe.

Leaving behind old habits can help with professional excellence. For example, responsiveness is an important part of client service, but the reflex to answer every message immediately can undermine thoughtful analysis and a sustainable practice. By adopting more intentional communication rhythms and protecting time for focused work, legal professionals can prioritize quality of judgment over speed alone—serving clients more effectively while preserving the clarity and discipline the profession demands. Just a reminder to review current habits and assess whether they’re beneficial or not.
 

Since 1948, the King County Bar Association’s Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee (JCEC) has performed the important public function of rating judicial candidates. This work continues to be performed by a dedicated contingent of volunteer lawyers and, at times, non-lawyer members who regularly come together to evaluate candidates in accordance with the JCEC’s Rules and Procedures (Rules). In 2024 and 2025, the JCEC evaluated thirty candidates seeking a rating for positions on the Seattle Municipal Court, King County District Court, King County Superior Court, or Washington State Supreme Court

Mild enough to avoid detection by any medical testing used in a clinical setting but severe enough to preclude the plaintiff from ever enjoying a productive and meaningful life again. This is the most common fact pattern in the mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cases that we receive calls on these days. The force of impact is often minor. We have seen mTBI claims born out of 8 mph rear-end collisions where the damage to the plaintiff’s vehicle was only $500-$1,000 but the damage to the plaintiff, according to their attorneys, was in excess of $30M. 

“The best public policy is made when you are listening to people who are going to be impacted.”
— Senator Elizabeth Dole

When the Board retooled KCBA’s mission statement recently, we contended with an issue that surely challenged past boards: trying to create a sleek, concise statement reflecting KCBA’s tri-faceted mission of professional development for members, pro bono service to the community, and public policy advocacy to improve our laws and systems. The exercise was a good reminder that although KCBA’s member services and pro bono programs are more high-profile aspects of our mission, public policy advocacy is also a critical facet of KCBA. In fact, public policy engagement enhances KCBA’s ability to meet our other two missions: improving the legal profession and providing legal services.

Each year on May 1, our nation observes Law Day, a time to reflect on one of the most fundamental founding principles of our democracy: the rule of law. Established by the American Bar Association in 1958 during a period of global uncertainty, Law Day was created to affirm the importance of legal institutions in protecting liberty, ensuring justice, and preserving the freedoms we often take for granted. Today, Law Day continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the essential role that law plays in shaping a fair and equitable society.

Update & Editor’s Note: Justice Barbara A. Madsen (2026). When the profile below appeared in the October 1993 Bar Bulletin, Justice Barbara A. Madsen was described as a rising jurist whose “meteoric rise” from Seattle Municipal Court to the Washington Supreme Court reflected hard work, risk-taking, and quiet determination. More than three decades later, that early promise has become a defining judicial legacy.