The clerks and commissioners of our state’s appellate courts are responsible for much of the day-to-day operation of the court. Issues concerning, among others, perfection of the record, stays, extensions of time, overlength briefing, and the amount of cost and fee awards are handled by these “lower court” personnel in each of the three divisions of the Court of Appeals and in the state Supreme Court.

We set out to try a variety of venues for Mexican food. We have explored three diverse options and discovered so many more worthy options that this edition clearly requires a sequel.

A few months ago, I read an article about a Virginia case that made me do a double take — as in — wait, there’s no way this is an actual, real opinion. The case centered around a dispute over frozen embryos of a divorced couple. 

Criminal convictions come with consequences that can be devastating for people already living on the margins of society. Even a misdemeanor conviction can create barriers to employment and housing, two major factors that impact one’s ability to turn their life around. Another critical factor is education, which studies have linked to drastic reductions in recidivism. However, for more than fifty years, the U.S. Congress restricted student aid to punish people with convictions on their record, effectively eliminating educational opportunities for those who would benefit most from higher education.

The following are highlights from the KCBA Board of Trustees meetings held on July 19, convened by KCBA President Karen Orehoski.

In my professional development journey, I have been trying to focus on building skills unrelated to a legal area of practice because such skills can help an attorney become a better legal professional. This might include developing communication skills, networking, or volunteering in a non-legal field. Being a good lawyer means more than becoming an expert in a chosen field — it is also about how we connect with clients, staff, and peers.

September 2023 KCBA Classifieds

On the hundredth anniversary of Harmonium, the Bar Bulletin is delighted to share this parody of a famous poem, which not only experiments with the verb “to be” but also makes modest fun of current events.

Everybody’s favorite curmudgeon shares how the vicissitudes of his own life have made him reassess how to be present for others.

Devon Stark manages KCBA’s first and oldest pro bono program, the Neighborhood Legal Clinics (NLC). Devon is a true Seattleite, having grown up in West Seattle, spent 12 years playing violin, and later attended the University of Washington where she majored in International Studies with minors in French and Global Health. While an undergraduate, Devon considered pursuing a career working for a public health nonprofit. She was also interested in exploring law and maybe law school. This led her to Google search “volunteer legal internships near me” where she found an opportunity to be a volunteer clinic assistant through the Neighborhood Legal Clinics. Devon was a dedicated volunteer all through college. As a clinic assistant she helped open and close the clinic, checked clients in, helped with resources and made sure the clinic ran smoothly. From this experience, she saw firsthand how pro bono attorneys were able to make legal services accessible to people with limited income.