Mission & History

Our Mission

The King County Bar Association promotes and supports a diverse and collegial membership; works with the judiciary to achieve excellence, equity, and accessibility in the administration of justice; and benefits the community through public service and engagement in public policy.

Over The Years

2015

Issues report about problems with state’s referendum & initiative system.

2013

Approves resolution calling for abolition of the death penalty.

2011

125th Anniversary
Receives Goldmark Award from Legal Foundation of WA for 125 year commitment to civil legal aid and social justice.

Adopts resolution opposing racial profiling efforts against immigrants by AZ state.

First African American president of KCBA, James Andrus.

2008

First Latino American president of KCBA, Dan Gandara.

2007

Adopts resolution that marijuana should be regulated and taxed, with most criminal sanctions eliminated.

2005

First Asian American president of KCBA, Gary Maehara.

2005

Adopts resolution supporting same-sex civil marriage.

2003

Establishes King County Bar Institute.

2001

Issues report “Is it time to end the war on drugs?”

1993

Issues report "Is it time to end the war on drugs?"

1987

Delay Reduction Task Force reduces massive Superior Court backlogs.

1979

Establishes King County Bar Foundation.

1974

Young Lawyers Section establishes Neighborhood Legal Clinics program.

1974

Association calls for President Nixon's impeachment.

1973

Young Lawyers passes resolution urging special prosecutor in Watergate coverup.

1972

Betty Fletcher becomes first female president of SKCBA.

1971

Files amicus brief in reverse discrimination case at UW.

1970

Meets with mayor on police attacks against war protesters at UW.

1970

Passes resolution that no bar meetings could be held at Rainier, WAC, or College Club where "male-only" rules were in force.

1969

Produces KCTS television series with WSBA, first program "The Limits of Protest"

1969

Establishes minority law student program.

1969

Trustees oppose efforts that would permit state governors to veto anti-poverty programs.

1969

Public Defender Corporation forms, jointly sponsored by City of Seattle, Seattle Model Cities Program, and SKCBA.

1968

Begins pilot program for public defender office.

1968

King County Superior Court local rules go into effect.

1966

YLS forms Law and Poverty Committee.

1966

Young Lawyer Section forms high school liaison program.

1966

1961

Opens Lawyer Referral Service, matching attorneys with paying clients.

1960

Sponsors radio and television programs on KING regarding various aspects of the law.

1960

Appoints committee to participate in Seattle World's Fair.

1958

Changes name from Seattle Bar Association to Seattle-King County Bar Association.

1958

Turns over all collected funds to Legal Aid Bureau and incorporates it as a separate entity.

1957

First volume of Seattle Bar Bulletin published and edited by Betty Fletcher & Louis Pepper.

1957

Sections are formed for first time including Labor Relations Law and Family Law.

1954

Passes resolution reminding public that lawyers' views cannot be inferred by who they represent.

1949

Young Lawyers Committee formed by new admittees after the war.

1948

Begins polling attorneys to rate candidates for Superior & Supreme Court.

1943

Little organized opposition by SBA to treatment of Japanese.

1941

First woman officer elected.

1941

Passes resolution waiving dues of SBA members on active duty in the military.

1939

Hears address by controversial Marxist economist.

1939

Moves to have separate offices & personnel for SBA Legal Aid Bureau.

1939

Opposes expenditure of public funds for legal aid bureaus.

 

Establishes Legal Aid Bureau.

1937

Establishes committee to investigate providing free legal aid.

1933

State bar is formed as "integrated" mandatory bar, sharing offices with SBA and Judicial Council.

1924

Passes resolution that "class struggle" has no place in the courts.

1919

Passes resolution that members should turn in alien enemies or Industrial Workers of the World.

1919

117 members give up their practices to serve in WWI.

1912

Committee formed to guide development of a law library for the new county courthouse.

1907

Recommends the legislature increase judicial salaries.

1906

Seattle Bar Association formed (while KCBA still existed).

1906

Establishes the Seattle Law Library Association.

1886

Founded in response to attorney involvement in mob effort to deport Chinese citizens.

 

King County Bar
Association

1200 5th Ave, Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98101

Main (206) 267-7100

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