Home- Paul B. Mack to receive 2012 Professionalism Award March 28, 2012
- Young Lawyers Division Upcoming Events
- 26th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon Honors Justice Gerry L. Alexander
- Nominations Requested for Annual Liberty Bell Award
News
2/20/12
2012 Professionalism Award
March 28, 2012
This is the Nineteeth Annual Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award. This year the Spokane County Bar Association is pleased to honor Paul B. Mack with the 2012 Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award.
Prior recipients of this award include: Smithmoore P. Myers, J. Donald Curran, Kathleen M. Taft, James J. Gillespie, Richard L. Cease, the Honorable Harold "Pete" Clarke, Richard D. McWilliams, Philip J. Thompson, Eugene I. Annis, Leo J. Driscoll, Nancy L. Isserlis, Joesph P. Delay, Rosanna M. Peterson, Philip "Dutch" Wetzel, Carl E. Hueber, William D. Hyslop, Michael J. Pontarolo, John R. Clark, and William F. Etter.
We will also recognize those members of our legal community who have been in the practice of law for 50 years. This year's honorees are John A. Schultheis and Philip J. Thompson.
We look forward to seeing you at the dinner on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at The Davenport Hotel, 10 South Post Street in the Marie Antoinette Ballroom.
The deadline for registration is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2012.
2/20/12
Nominations Requested For Annual Liberty Bell Award
May 1, 2012 is Law Day. The Spokane County Bar Association participates in Law Day Naturalization Ceremonies commemorating teh importance of the rule of law in our soicuety. At this time, the Spokane County Bar Association President also presents your Bar Association's Annual Liberty Bell Award to a deserving person for service to our community. The award is given to someone (not an attorney) who promotes understanding of and respect for law and the courts, encourages and exemplifies a sense of civic responsibility, contributes to the betterment of the community, and embodies the theme of Law Day. The national theme for Law Day this year is "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom." For more information about Law Day and the Liberty Bell Award, go to: www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/initatives_awards/law_day_2012.html
1/23/12
26th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon Honors Justice Gerry L. Alexander
The Legal Foundation of Washington will present the 2012 Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award to Justice Gerry L. Alexander at the 26th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon. The Luncheon will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel between 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Register at www.legalfoundation.org.
Justice Alexander will have served as Chief Justice longer than any other in our state's history. He's been instrumental in allowing the first gavel-to-gavel television coverage of Supreme Court hearings in the country, established a traveling Supreme Court in Washington, chaired countless committees dedicated to improving a public court system and lent tireless support to the access to justice movement believing it an essential right of citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.
1/23/12
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events:
February 23, 2012 - The next meeting will be held at the Layman Law Office at 601 South Division Street at 5:15 p.m. All are welcome to come.
If you'd like more information, "like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Spokane-County-Young-Lawyers-Division-SYLD/162353810504314
1/23/12
Nominations Sought for Professionalism Award
The Spokane County Bar Association will again sponsor its dinner entitled "An Evening Celebrating Professionalism" and a member of our legal community will receive the Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award. The recipient of the award should be a person who exemplifies the highest ethical and professional standards of the legal profession and who currently practices or has practiced law in the Spokane area. Nominations should not include sitting members of the bench or deceased members of the bar. No current members of the SCBA Board of Trustees will be eligible for the award. The nominee must be a member of the Spokane County Bar Association no later than the day of the committee's vote.
If you would like to nominate someone for this honor, please submit the person's name and your statement of support to: SCBA Professionalism Award Committee, MS ANX-4-SCBA, 1116 West Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260 or e-mail to PYoude@SpokaneBar.org. Nominations will be taken until Monday, February 6, 2012.
12/19/11
This auction will be open for bids on Monday, December 19, 2011 and will close precisely at 12:00 Noon Thursday, December 22, 2011. Each day, this web page will be updated at 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Be sure to refresh your cache and see the latest bids by pressing CTRL + Refresh together at the same time.
Please submit your bid via email to PYoude@SpokaneBar.org. Be sure to include:
1. Name and/or number of the item you are bidding on;
2. Bid amount;
3. First and Last Name;
4. Phone #; and
5. WSBA #/Registered Paralegal #.
Items up for bids are:
#1 - 16GB iPad 2 (valued at over $500) and iPad Smart Cover (which retails for $69). The starting bid is $350. Minimum raise is $20.
#2 - Exquisite 1/2 Carat Diamond Pendant from Pounder's Jewelry. This beautiful diamond pendant is masterfully crafted in 14kt white gold and holds twenty sparkling, round, brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing a 1/2 carat total weight. It is the perfect accessory for any outfit, on any occasion! Valued at $1,250. Minimum bid is $500. Minimum raise is $50.
#3 - Vintage looking Umbrella Stand. This vintage looking umbrella stand would be a beautiful addition to the foyer of your office. Minimum bid is $30. Minimum raise is $5.
11/7/11
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Events:
December 1, 2011 Seahawks Viewing Party at Jack & Dan's Bar and Grill. Hosted by SYLD & the Washington State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division (WYLD) Member Outreach Committee
January 2012 SYLD Chiefs Hockey Night
If you'd like more information, "like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Spokane-County-Young-Lawyers-Division-SYLD/162353810504314
10/17/11
Pat Monasmith Named As Tri-County Superior Court Judge
On October 3, 2011, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced that she will appoint Patrick Monasmith to the Superior Court serving Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties. Monasmith is aformer Court Commissioner for Stevens County, and has extensive experience in private practice.
Monasmith began his legal career in 1984, when he became a staff attorney with the Spokane County Public Defender Office. Two years later he joined the practice of Goicoechea Law Office before joining O'Neal & Delaney, P.S. as an associate. In 1989, Monasmith formed the firm of Skok & Monasmith, P.S. in Chewelah, where he has practiced law for more than 20 years.
10/17/11
Volunteer Lawyers Program In Dire Need Of Clinic Volunteers
The Volunteer Lawyers Program is seeking volunteers to help assist with the Status Conference Advice Clinic and Family Law Advice Clinic.
These clinics are a very short commitment of about four (4) hours a month. Due to the economy, other regional legal aid programs that have assisted low income individuals in the area of family law have been forced to make changes. We are now one of only two programs handling family law matters.
The purpose of the Status Conference Advice Clinic is to determine the needs of the clients to be able to move their case forward. This could mean setting it for trial, asking for a continuance, or reviewing final documents. This clinic assists with keeping pro se's from congesting the docket. The Family Law Advice Clinic was created to assist clients with an array of family law issues. At this clinic the volunteer will answer questions, review paperwork and let the client know the next steps in their journey to nagivate the court system.
We are at critical levels of need. Attorneys interested in participating are asked to email kspan@spokanebar.org or ehesch@spokanebar.org.
09/16/11
Spokane County Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Panel Releases Report
The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) is pleased to announce the report of the SCBA Judicial Evaluation Panel for those candidates who have asked to be considered for appointment to the vacated position on the Spokane County District Court. The seat became available with the retirement of Judge Richard B. White. The Judicial Evaluation Panel process was conducted at the request of Board of County Commissioners for Spokane County who will make the appointment. Please click here for the Press Release.
07/26/11
with Guest Speaker Justice Alan Page
October 20, 2011
Benefitting the Carl Maxey Scholarship
The RiverBank 3rd Annual Fall Forum held at Gonzaga University (breakfast) will benefit the Carl Maxey Scholarship Award . This award is presented annually by the Spokane County Bar Association Diversity Section to a Gonzaga Law School student(s) who intends to remain in the Spokane area to further the goals of diversity within Spokane's legal community consistent with the Diversity Section's Mission Statement.
Justice Alan Page will share an amazing message titled “ Commitment and Ethics : the Road to Personal and Business Success ”.
RiverBank , a locally owned community bank, is holding their 3 rd Annual Fall Forum. This year they have invited Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page to be the presenter.
Many of you will remember Justice Page from his days as a celebrated football player for the Minnesota Vikings. Justice Page has always believed in ethics and commitment to do the best you can at the task in front of you. Never give up, keep moving toward the goal. These beliefs are what got him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988 and to the place he holds on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Go to riverbankonline.com for more information (seating is limited).
05/16/11
SCBA Volunteer Lawyers Program Honors Pro Bono Service at Awards Luncheon
On June 10, 2011, the Spokane County Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) will honor members of the legal community who stand out for sharing their time and expertise with low-income members of our community through pro bono service over the past year. The individuals and law firms we will honor have given true meaning to the phrase, “Champions of Justice.” The VLP awards luncheon will be held in conjunction with the SCBA annual meeting.
The VLP would also like to recognize and thank the members of the Standing Advisory Committee for their guidance over the past year: Ed Johnson (Current-chair), Ed Carroll (Past-chair), Judge Maryann Moreno, Judge Gregory Tripp, Arie Tobler, Jim McPhee, Jason Piskel, Connie Shields, Christine Weaver, Joe Shogan, Jr., and Tom Tremaine.
Here are the recipients of the VLP 2010 Pro Bono awards:
ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR
James Studt, Attorney at Law
Gary Gainer, Richter Wimberley
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR
Tim Szambelan, Assistant City Attorney
FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR
Lisa Brewer, Attorney at Law
Michael Gainer, Attorney at Law
BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR
Kevin O’Rourke, Southwell & O’Rourke
EXTRAORDINARY FIRM OF THE YEAR
Workland & Witherspoon, PLLC
EXCEPTIONAL FIRM OF THE YEAR
Randall & Danskin
OUTSTANDING FIRM OF THE YEAR
Richter Wimberley
PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR
Gary Smith, Richter Wimberley
05/02/11
SCBA Annual Golf Tournament to be held at Esmeralda Golf Course
Friday, June 24, 2011
Esmeralda Golf Course
3933 East Courtland Avenue
Spokane, Washington
CHECK-IN: |
12:30 p.m. |
|
|
SHOTGUN START: |
1:30 p.m |
Only $75 - Includes green fees, cart, refreshments, prizes, and a steak dinner ollowing the tournament.
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, May 27, 2011 - PRIZES AWARDED
ENTRY DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, June 17, 2011
THE FIELD WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FIRST 128 ENTRANTS!
04/18/11
SCBA Nominating Committee Announces
Candidates for
2011-2012 Board of Trustees
The SCBA Nominating Committee, appointed by President, James McPhee, and approved by the Board of Trustees, has met and selected a slate of candidates to run for the available officer and trustee positions for 2011-2012. The committee’s nominees are: President: Scott A. Morris; Secretary: President-elect & Secretary: C. Matthew Andersen; Treasurer: Ryan M. Beaudoin; Trustees: (three positions open): Francis A. Adewale, Lynn M. Mounsey Longmeier, Stephanie R. Taylor, Geana M. Van Dessel, Ryan D. Yahne & Heather C. Yakely.
Pursuant to the by–laws of the SCBA, additional nominations may be made by or on behalf of any SCBA member wishing to stand for election for any officer or elected trustee position by written petition by ten (10) dues-paying SCBA members.
Nomination petitions must be delivered to Secretary C. Matthew Andersen, in care of the Spokane County Bar Association, 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Fourth Floor Annex, Spokane, Washington 99260-0030 no later than 12 Noon, April 29, 2011. A list of all known candidates will be published in the May 16, 2011 edition of the Calendar Call.
Ballots will be mailed to eligible SCBA members on May 16, 2011, and must be delivered to the SCBA office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011. The annual meeting of the association will be held on Friday, June 10, 2011.
04/18/10
SCBA YLD Announces Judicial Theater
Thursday, June 2, 2011. 5 - 8 pm
Where: Spokane Club
The Judicial Theater is an ethics CLE, where local judges perform skits revolving around various ethical issues. A group discussion of the RPC’s involved follows each skit. Dinner is provided. Attendees of this event will earn 2.5 ethics CLE credits.
Price:
Early Bird (5:00 p.m. on 05/19/2011) —$60/person & $55/person if 5 or more are purchased.
Regular Price — $75/person & $65/person if 5 or more are purchased.
Questions or comments, please contact Elizabeth Tellessen at eat@winstoncashatt.com or Tom Treppiedi at tntreppiedi@spokanecounty.org.
04/04/11
SCBA Diversity Section & G.U. Law School Sponsor 2nd Annual Diversity Reception
Friday April 1st
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Gonzaga University School of Law
Please join us for the Second Annual Diversity Reception for students recently offered admission to Gonzaga University School of Law on Friday, April 1st. The students are travelling to Spokane from throughout the United States. We hope the reception will offer them the opportunity to learn more about the legal community in Spokane, and will allow you to enjoy getting to know the future students of Gonzaga Law. The Diversity Reception will begin on the first floor of the Law School at 5:00 p.m. and will continue until 7:00 p.m.
03/21/10
SCBA Board of Trustees receives proposal for establishment of Solo & Small Law Firm Section of Spokane County Bar Association.
Click here to review the paperwork concerning the proposed Solo & Small Law Firm Section of the Spokane County Bar Association.
03/21/11
SCBA Diversity Section & G.U. Law School Sponsor 2nd Annual Diversity Reception
Friday April 1st
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Gonzaga University School of Law
Please join us for the Second Annual Diversity Reception for students recently offered admission to Gonzaga University School of Law on Friday, April 1st. The students are travelling to Spokane from throughout the United States. We hope the reception will offer them the opportunity to learn more about the legal community in Spokane, and will allow you to enjoy getting to know the future students of Gonzaga Law. The Diversity Reception will begin on the first floor of the Law School at 5:00 p.m. and will continue until 7:00 p.m.
03/07/11
William F. Etter to Receive
Professionalism Award
This is the Eighteenth Annual Smithmoore P. Myers Award. This year the Spokane County Bar Association is pleased to honor William F. Etter with the 2011 Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award.
Prior recipients of this award include:
Smithmoore P. Myers, J. Donald Curran, Kathleen M. Taft, James J. Gillespie, Richard L. Cease, the Honorable Harold “Pete” Clarke, Richard D. McWilliams, Philip J. Thompson, Eugene I. Annis, Leo J. Driscoll, Nancy L. Isserlis, Joseph P. Delay, Rosanna M. Peterson, Phillip “Dutch” Wetzel, Carl E. Hueber, William D. Hyslop, Michael J. Pontarolo & John R. Clark.
We will also recognize those members of our legal community who have been in the practice of law for fifty (50) years. This year’s honorees are Ned M. Barnes, Donald C. Brockett, Frank Conklin, and Lauritz O. Falk.
We look forward to seeing you at the dinner on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at The Davenport Hotel, 10 South Post Street in the Marie Antoinette Ballroom. Please register using the form on page 5 or on the SCBA web site at www.spokanebar.org.
The deadline for registration is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011. This year we will be celebrating Smitty’s 97th birthday so plan on joining us in the celebration and singing Happy Birthday to our favorite professional - Smitty Myers!
02/07/11
Nominations Requested for Liberty Bell Award
April 30, 2010 is LAW DAY. The Spokane County Bar Association participates
in Law Day Naturalization Ceremonies commemorating the
importance of the rule of
law in our society. At this time, the Spokane County Bar Association President also presents your Bar Association’s annual Liberty Bell Award to a deserving person for service to our community. The award is given to some-one (not an attorney) who promotes understanding of and respect for law and the courts, encourages and exemplifies a sense of civic responsibility, contributes to the betterment of the community, and embodies the theme of Law Day. The national theme for Law Day this year is “Law in the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges.” For more information about Law Day and the Liberty Bell Award, go to:
www.abanet.org/publiced/lawday/home.shtm
The Liberty Bell Committee is asking your help by submitting your nominations for the award. Please send your nominations to: Spokane County Bar Association, Liberty Bell Award, MS ANX-4-SCBA, 1116 W. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260—0030 together with an explanation for the nomination or supporting information. Please include a telephone number and mailing address so you may be contacted for further information. Deadline for nominations is March 8, 2011.
01/20/11
Nominations Sought for Professionalism Award
Following our tradition, March has been designated as Professionalism Month throughout the state for members of the legal community.
The Spokane County Bar Association (“SCBA”) will again sponsor their dinner entitled “An Evening Celebrating Professionalism” and some member of our legal community will receive the Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award. The recipient of the award should be a person who exemplifies the highest ethical and professional standards of the legal profession and who currently practices or has practiced law in the Spokane area. Nominations should not include sitting members of the bench or deceased members of the bar. No current members of the SCBA Board of Trustees will be eligible for the award. The nominee must be a member of the Spokane County Bar Association no later than the day of the committee’s vote. If you would like to nominate someone for this honor, please submit the person’s name and your statement of support to: SCBA Professionalism Award Committee, MS ANX-4-SCBA, 1116 W. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260-0030. Nominations will be taken until Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
The Professionalism Award Committee will be meeting the second week of February to consider nominations. At the February 18th meeting of the Board of Trustees of the SCBA, a selection will be made from the names submitted by the Professionalism Award Committee. Previous recipients of this award include: Smithmoore P. Myers, J. Donald Curran, Kathleen M. Taft, James J. Gillespie, Richard L. Cease, Harold “Pete” Clarke, Richard D. McWilliams, Philip J. Thompson, Eugene I. Annis, Leo J. Driscoll, Nancy L. Isserlis, Joseph P. Delay, Rosanna M. Peterson, Philip “Dutch” Wetzel, Carl E. Hueber, William D. Hyslop and Michael J. Pontarolo.
The Professionalism Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 2010. The March 8th issue of the Calendar Call will announce the winner of the award and an insert to sign up for the dinner will be included. Also to be honored will be those members of our legal community who have practiced 50 years in Washington state.
Please mark your calendar now for Wednesday, March 24th for the Professionalism Dinner. Send in those nominations as soon as possible. Remember, the deadline to receive nominations will be February 3, 2010.
12/20/10
Legal Foundation of Washington
Announces Board Election Reults
At its November 20, 2010 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Legal Foundation of Washington unanimously elected Art Wang, Washington Employment Security Department, as the Foundation’s President for 2011.
Pamela J. DeRusha, United States Attorney’s Office was elected Vice President, Barbara A. Fox, Limited Practice Officer and Escrow Officer was elected Secretary, and Gary Melonson Associate Director, Investments, Oppenheimer & Co., was elected Treasurer. Both Ms. DeRusha and Mr. Melonson were re-appointed to their second two-year terms by the Washington Supreme Court and Governor Gregoire respectively.
Returning Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors appointees are Judge Theodore Spearman, Kitsap County Superior Court, Paul Mack, Spokane attorney and Martin S. Garfinkel of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender. Washington Supreme Court appointees Richard E. Mitchell, Summit Law Group returns for the second year of his first term as Elizabeth Thomas of K&L Gates begins her first two-year term January 1, 2011.
The Foundation was established in 1985 at the direction of the Washington Supreme Court to support legal aid and law-related education through the Interest on Lawyers’/Limited Practice Officers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) program. The Foundation is a Supporter of the Alliance for Equal Justice, a statewide network of organizations providing legal aid to those with nowhere else to turn.
12/20/10
Superior Court Announces Appointmnent of Rachelle Anderson to Superior Court Bench.
The Spokane County Superior Court is pleased to announce the appointment of Rachelle E. Anderson to the position of Court Commissioner. She replaces James Triplet, who was appointed Superior Court Judge in early November by Governor Christine Gregoire. She will start her appointment on Friday, December 10, 2010.
Ms. Anderson is a 1994 graduate of Eastern Washington University and a 1997 graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law. Ms. Anderson currently serves as an Administrative Law Judge for the Washington Office of Administrative Hearings after working for thirteen years as a lawyer specializing in family law cases. She has also served as a Commissioner pro tem for several years.
11/22/10
25th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon Honors King County Bar Association
The Legal Foundation of Washington will present the 2011 Charles A. Goldmark Distinguished Service Award to the King County Bar Association at the 25th Annual Goldmark Award Luncheon. The luncheon will be held Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Red Lion Hotel on 5th Avenue between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
In support of the nomination, Paula Littlewood, Executive Director of the Washington State Bar Association, states: “Over its 125 year history, KCBA has been at the forefront of ensuring access to justice in King County . From its founding in response to anti-immigrant attorneys who forced Chinese workers from our community, to KCBA's creation of the first Legal Aid office in our state in the 1930s, to its service today to over 10,000 indigent King County Residents each year, KCBA has created an outstanding model for pro bono service for bar associations.”
11/01/10
Mark your calendar for the Annual SCBA Holiday Party & VLP Silent Auction
This year’s event occurs on Thursday, December 9th at 3:30 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park. Auction proceeds will help support the VLP’s efforts to increase legal services to low-income residents of Spokane County.
The Volunteer Lawyers Program is now accepting donations for the annual Holiday Auction. All auction contributions are welcome. We especially appreciate unique items such as excursions, personal creations and gift baskets. If you wish to have the VLP put a basket together for you we would be happy to, just send a cash donation and we will do the rest. Many opt for this since we have some great people with serious shopping skills.
If you would like to make a donation, please contact Kellee Spangenberg or Erica Hesch at the Volunteer Lawyers Program at (509) 462-3701 or email Kellee at kspan@spokanebar.org. Mark your calendar for December 9th and be sure to attend the Holiday Auction and Party.paperwork concerning the proposed Solo & Small Law Firm Section of the Spokane County Bar Association.
11/01/10
District Court to Implements
New Payment Program
Beginning December 1, 2010, Spokane County District Court time pay accounts will be managed by PAR Acceptance Corp. The outsourcing of time pay accounts was implemented due to the severe staff reductions resulting from budget cuts. For more information, please visit the District Court website at: http://www.spokanecounty.org/districtcourt/content.aspx?c=1551
10/14/10
Results Released from Bar Poll &
Judicial Evaluation Panel Reivew for
District Court, Position 6
The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2010 Bar Poll as well as the report of the SCBA Judicial Evaluation Panel for the Spokane County District Court, Position 2 judicial race. RESULTS
10/08/10
SCBA Past President and Professionalism Award Recipient, John R. Clark, Passes Away
SCBA President, Jim McPhee, announced "With great sorrow I report to you that former Spokane County Bar Association President John R. Clark passed away this morning. His kindness, humor, empathy, and tenacity will be sorely missed."
John's memorial service will be Wednesday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m. at CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point Park. The address is 2426 N. Discovery Rd., Spokane Valley, 99216.
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/oct/08/john-clark-lawyer-working-class-dies/
http://www.krem.com/news/local/Spokane-defense-attorney-John-Clark-dies-104586139.html
09/20/10
Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen to Receive Outstanding Judge Award
The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announces that Judge Tari S. Eitzen, of the Superior Court Judges’ Association Executive Committee, will be presented with the 2010 Outstanding Judge of the Year Award, along with Judge Vickie I. Churchill and Judge Richard F. McDermott. This award is presented for outstanding service to the bench and for special contribution to the legal profession at any level of the court. WSBA President Salvador A. Mungia will present the award at the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner, to be held on September 23, 2010, at the Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle.
09/07/10
Board Approves SCBA CLE Passport for
2010-2011 Fiscal Year
At their Annual Planning Session on August 27, 2010, the SCBA Board of Trustees approved continuing with the CLE Passport program for a sixth year.
The SCBA CLE Passport allows members to attend any number of SCBA sponsored seminars in their entirety or any segment thereof throughout the SCBA’s fiscal year (September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011). 2010-2011 SCBA Membership Dues must be paid prior to or at the time of payment of the Annual CLE Passport.
Being able to come and go freely during a seminar provide the members with the freedom to conduct the business of practicing law without the penalty of loss of CLE attendance fees due to conflicts that may arise. Pre-registration is still required. PURCHASE PASSPORT
08/27/10
SCBA Announces Results of Bar Poll
and Judicial Evaluation
The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2010 Bar Poll as well as the report of the SCBA Judicial Evaluation Panel for those candidates who have asked to be considered for appointment to the vacated position on Department 2 of the Spokane County Superior Court. The seat became available with the retirement of Judge Neal Q. Rielly. The Bar Poll and Judicial Evaluation Panel process was conducted at the request of Governor Gregoire who will make the appointment. RESULTS
08/23/10
Courthouse ID Badge Renewal
The 2010 - 2011 Courthouse ID Badges expired on August 31, 2010. In order to re-activate your badge you must submit the $50.00 annual fee and a completed Renewal Form. Courthouse ID Badges not renewed by October 1, 2010 will be confiscated.
08/05/10
Governor Gregoire Asks SCBA to Conduct
Poll of Membership RE:
Superior Court Judicial Candidates
Governor Christine Gregoire has asked the Spokane County Bar Association to conduct a poll of the membership regarding candidates vying for the position on the Spokane County Superior Court Bench, which is soon to be vacated by retiring Judge Neal Q. Rielly.
Below are the biographies and completed questionnaires of the candidates.
07/19/10
2010 Learn 'N Lounge on the Lake CLE Cruise to
take place on Thursday, Sept. 9th
Featuring an AL PS CLE Program approved for 3 ethics credit hours. MORE INFO
06/21/10
Spokane County Superior Court Announces
New Ex Parte Policy
Effective September 1, 2010,
Lawyers will be given preference for their orders each
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00
a.m.
For quicker service, Attorneys are discouraged from presenting any orders from 3:00-4:00 p.m. any court day due to court congestion at the end of each day.
Ex Parte Restraining Orders from attorneys will not be
accepted after 3:00 p.m. except under extraordinary or
emergency circumstances. All discovery motions, including family law cases, shall be set for hearing and heard by the assigned Judge.
All minor settlements and structured settlement transfers shall be assigned to a trial Judge and scheduled for hearing before that court department. Guardianship hearings may be signed without a record if they are agreed, the AIP is not present, and a professional guardian is being appointed.
Any contested matter longer than 10 minutes total shall be
assigned to an available trial court by the court administrator’s
office.
All pro se parties wishing to present their final paperwork
to the court shall either utilize the default dissolution docket
OR have the court facilitator review and approve their
paperwork for presentation to the court.
Any attorneys or parties wishing to argue any contested
issue in ex parte (other than bench conferences from family
law docket call and CR 65 motions) must obtain advance
permission from the Ex Parte Judge/Commissioner AND
those hearings may not exceed 10 minutes.
Adoptions
Adoptions should only be set in ex parte as a last resort. If
they are the result of a juvenile court termination, they should
be set on the assigned Court Commissioners dependency
docket, or scheduled through a Judge’s J.A. Any adoptions
set in Ex Parte shall be scheduled through the ex parte clerk
using low volume times. (10-12 each day, or 1:30-2:30
Monday-Wednesday).tice. We'll keep you informed of Foundation developments in future articles."
06/21/10
Spokane County Superior Court Announces Neal Rielly Retirement Golf Scramble
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Downriver Golf Course
3225 N. Columbia Circle
Spokane, WA 99205
Only $65 – Includes green fees, cart, refreshments, prizes,
and a hamburger lunch following the round.
ENTRY DEADLINE: 5:00 PM, August 20, 2010
06/21/10
SCBA President James McPhee Reveals SCBA Foundation to be Created
"The Foundation is being organized to work with leaders in Spokane County to affect change by supporting legal aid resources of Spokane County, supporting diversity in the legal profession, and providing educational support to those in the community. The Foundation’s board of directors will include non-lawyers as well as SCBA members, a past president, and members of the SCBA Board of Trustees. The Foundation will help us strengthen our existing ties to the community while cultivating new connections to promote diversity, education, and access to justice. We’ll keep you informed of Foundation developments in future articles."
06/07/10
Judge Neal Q. Rielly Announces Retirement from Spokane County Superior Court
On May 20, 2010, Hon. Neal Q. Rielly announced his retirement from the bench effective August 29, 2010. Governor Christine Gregoire is now seeking interested and qualified members of the Washington State Bar Association to submit applications to fill this position. The Governor’s application for judicial appointment, the Uniform Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire, is also accepted by several minority bar associations for evaluation purposes and can be downloaded from http://www.governor.wa.gov/judicial/default.asp.
To be considered for this vacancy, applicants are strongly encouraged to promptly submit their completed applications and schedule judicial evaluations with the statewide minority bar association judicial evaluation committees as soon as possible. Applicants for this vacancy must be a resident of Spokane County. All applications and judicial evaluations should be completed, with ratings submitted to the Governor’s Office of General Counsel by July 20, 2010.
06/01/10
Diversity Section Seeks Applications for Carl Maxey Diversity Scholarship
The Spokane County Bar Association Diversity Section is seeking applicants for our Fifth Annual Scholarship Award to a Gonzaga law student who intends to stay in the Spokane area to further issues of diversity within Spokane's legal community. The Spokane County Bar Association's Diversity Section is committed to promoting inclusiveness through ongoing efforts focusing on recruitment and retention of attorneys of color and diverse ethnic background. The deadline for applying is September 24, 2010. Click here for the application form.
05/24/10
Washington State Bar Exam
Congratulations to all who recently passed the Washington State Bar Exam! The swearing in ceremony in Spokane will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The program will be held at the Spokane County Courthouse, Courtroom, Courtroom 301. Please contact Tina Carrillo with any questions.
05/10/10
2010 Annual Meeting & VLP Awards Ceremony
Friday, June 11, 2010
12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Red Lion River Inn
700 North Division Street
COST: $ 26.00
05/10/10
Volunteer Lawyers Program Honors Pro Bono Service at Awards Luncheon
On June 11, 2010, the Spokane County Bar Volunteer
Lawyers Program (VLP) will honor members of the legal
community who stand out for sharing their time and expertise
with low-income members of our community through pro
bono service over the past year. The individuals and law
firms we will honor have given true meaning to the Alliance
for Equal Justice’s phrase, “It’s not justice if it’s not equal.”
Please join us at the 2009 awards ceremony that will take
place at the Red Lion River Inn, starting at noon. The VLP
awards luncheon will be in conjunction with the SCBA Annual
Meeting.
ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR - Robyn L. Pugsley
HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR - Brant Stevens
FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR - James L. Studt
BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR -
David P. Gardner
EXTRAORDINARY FIRM OF THE YEAR -
Workland & Witherspoon, PLLC
OUTSTANDING FIRM OF THE YEAR -
Burke Law Group, PLLC
PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR -
Theresa Beaudoin of the Spokane County Family Law
Prosecutor’s Office
05/10/10
2010 Campaign for Equal Justice
Once again the Spokane County Bar Association will be hosting three afternoons of attorney calling on May 18th,19th and 20th. We will be contacting each member of the legal community to encourage your participation in Spokane’s 2010 Campaign for Equal Justice.
Our
community’s critical legal aid programs—including, the
Spokane Co. Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, the
Northwest Justice Project and TeamChild—are changing
lives, stabilizing our local economy and saving our tax dollars.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the 2010 Campaign for Equal Justice. You can make your donation today at www.c4ej.org and beat us to the punch, otherwise we will look forward to speaking with you on the 18th, 19th or 20th!
04/26/10
Annual SCBA Golf Tournament
Friday, June 25, 2010 at Liberty Lake Golf Course, 24403 East Sprague Avenue, Liberty Lake, Washington. Check-in is at 12:30 p.m. with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. The cost is oOnly $72.00, which includes green fees, cart, refreshments, prizes, and a steak dinner following the tournament. The Early Registration Deadline is 5:00 PM, May 28, 2010. Entry deadline is 5:00 PM, June 18, 2010. The field will be limited to the first 144 entrants. REGISTER
04/12/10
6th Annual Street Law
Street Law is a summer event organized by the Spokane County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Center for Justice. Attorneys, paralegals, and law students volunteer on Saturday afternoons from June 5th to August 28th from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00pm to dispense free legal advice, legal inform, and legal referrals. Street Law teams consist of three attorneys with a triage person who directs clients to the attorney that can best answer their question. Street Law is in its sixth year and is still going strong because of the efforts of many volunteer attorneys in the Spokane Community. Street Law is looking for new volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students. You might like to even organize your own team of friends or colleagues to volunteer for one Saturday during the summer.
04/12/10
Law Day Celebration - April 30, 2010
Each year by Presidential Proclamation, May 1 is declared
as Law Day USA to commemorate our existence as a
community and nation of laws and legal principles, and
acknowledge our independence as a free society on the
rule of law. The SCBA Law Day celebration will be held
on Friday, April 30th at 12 Noon at the Masonic Temple,
1108 West Riverside Avenue, Spokane. This year’s theme
is “Law In the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging
Challenges.” Joining in the celebration on behalf of the
citizens of the City of Spokane will be the Honorable Mary
Verner, Mayor of the City of Spokane. Presiding over the
naturalization of new citizens will be the Honorable Cynthia
Imbrogno, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District
of Washington. The Law Day speaker will be the Honorable
Ellen Kalama Clark, Judge Spokane County Superior Court.
Presentation of the colors will be provided by the Rogers
High School Air Force ROTC Honor Guard and the Altrusa
Club will provide refreshments following
the ceremonies.
The Spokane County Bar Association will be presenting the Liberty Bell Award for 2010 as well. Please join us in expressing the Bar Association’s admiration and appreciation to this year’s Liberty Bell Award Recipient, Melissa Lewis, Director of the Eastern Washington branches of Friendship Diversion, a non-profit organization working both with the courts and the prosecutor’s office for the purpose of pretrial supervision.
You are invited and encouraged to attend: Commandery
Room, 4th Floor, at the Masonic Temple, 1108 West
Riverside Avenue on Friday, April 30th from 12 Noon to
1:30 p.m.
03/22/10
John R. Clark To Receive
2010 Professionalism Award
This is the Seventeeth Annual Smithmoore P. Myers Award. This
year the Spokane County Bar
Association is pleased to honor John
R. Clark with the 2010 Smithmoore
P. Myers Professionalism Award.
Prior recipients of this award include:
Smithmoore P. Myers, J. Donald
Curran, Kathleen M. Taft, James J. Gillespie, Richard
L. Cease, the Honorable Harold “Pete” Clarke, Richard
D. McWilliams, Philip J. Thompson, Eugene I. Annis,
Leo J. Driscoll, Nancy L. Isserlis, Joseph P. Delay,
Rosanna M. Peterson, Phillip “Dutch” Wetzel, Carl E.
Hueber, William D. Hyslop & Michael Pontarolo.
We will also recognize those members of our legal
community who have been in the practice of law for fifty
years. This year’s honorees are Robert P. Beschel, J.
Donald Curran, and Harry Levitch.
03/09/10
SCBA Announces Bar Poll Results of 2010
Court of Appeals Candidates
The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) is pleased to announce the results of its 2010 Bar Poll for those candidates who have asked to be considered for appointment to the vacated position on Division III of the Court of Appeals. The seat became available with the retirement of Judge John Schultheis. The poll was conducted at the request of Governor Gregoire who will make the appointment. RESULTS
01/25/10
Superior Court Enters Eemergency Order Amending Local Rules
The Spokane County Superior Court entered an Emergency Order Amending Local Rules dated December 11, 2009 regarding the enforcement of LCR 79 Books and Records Kept By Clerk. Click on this link EMERGENCY ORDER to access a complete copy of the Order.