The Washington State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee is dedicated to implementing WSBA’s Diversity and Inclusion Plan. The committee's work promotes historically underrepresented groups to enter, remain, thrive, and lead in the profession of law. The committee does this through collaborative relationships and community building activities that highlight the numerous societal benefits of a diverse law profession.

Help advance WSBA's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession.

We have positions open on the WSBA Diversity Committee, starting in October 2020. Read more about the position and apply today through your https://www.mywsba.org/ account.

The NEW Leadership Institute is a 6-day intensive program held in June, developed to encourage and equip students with the skills to seek new heights in their personal and professional lives. Examples of topics and workshops include community organizing & activism, politics & policy making, and salary negotiations. We are looking for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a 2-year or 4-year program who are eager to be leaders in their communities. Washington students and out-of-state-students with Washington residency are eligible to apply.

The 2020 application can be found here (or by pasting bit.ly/2020NEWLeadUW into your browser).

If you need additional information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, either by email at newlead@uw.edu or by phone at 206-543-9708. You may also visit our website for other program highlights, including Alumnae Success Stories and an FAQ page. Please feel free to pass along this information to any contacts you might have who might be interested in nominating emerging leaders.

Come join us on March 3, 2020 at 6pm at Foster Garvey for the Joint MBA 2020 Mentorship Kick-Off Event! Pre-registration required.

Generously sponsored by:

The Opportunity and Progress Counsel, Foster Garvey’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative

Hosted by:

• South Asian Bar Association of Washington (SABAW)

In partnership with:

• Middle Eastern Legal Association of Washington (MELAW),
• Washington Attorneys with Disabilities Association (WADA), &
• Northwest Indian Bar Association (NIBA)

Lawyers, have you ever reached a point in your career and thought, "If only I had known...." Young lawyers and law students, have you ever wished you had advice from someone who has actually been there? Mentors meet mentees!

Our team of minority bar associations aims to pair law students and young lawyers from historically underrepresented groups with mentor attorneys from all walks of life, including allies, to support mentees as they prepare to enter and navigate their legal careers. For mentors and mentees alike, this is a fantastic opportunity to support one another, learn from one another, and meet the movers and shakers of our profession.

Please feel free to contact me at rania.rampersad@gmail.com for more information!

E. Rania Rampersad

SABAW President-Elect/Mentorship Co-Chair

In partnership with GU's School of Law. Check out the Wine Institute launch coming soon!

When: February 21st-22nd, 2020

Where: Harvest Inn, Napa Valley/St. Helena, CA 

1 Main Street, St. Helena, CA 

Cost: $349.00/person

Join us in our first year bringing Women Lead to Napa Valley, where workshops will be held at various wineries around the area! Similar to other Women Lead events, this conference will focus on the latest research around women in leadership, and specifically male-dominated industries. Additionally, this conference will offer two tracks -- one in women's leadership, and the other in wine law. Whether you work in the wine industry or are a wine enthusiast, this conference will offer workshops and speakers relevant to your interests. This is a chance to immerse yourself in the culture of St. Helena and Napa Valley, while building your network of other like-minded individuals. 

See the complete conference schedule here!

Register today!

UW NALSA 2020 Salmon Bingo Dinner by Native American Law Student Association @ UW Law

Come play bingo and build community with current UW Law students, alumni, and tribal and Indian law practitioners! The Native American Law Student Association at University of Washington School of Law is hosting our annual Salmon Bingo Dinner on February 7, 2020 from 6-8:30pm.

For over 30 years, NALSA at UW has supported Native American law students and all students pursuing legal careers in federal Indian law and tribal law. Proceeds from the Salmon Bingo Dinner go to supporting Native American law students at UW, outreach to Native undergraduates and high school students, and funding students attending the national NALSA moot court competition.

The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) is a  highly selective international association of lawyers, both corporate and private practice, who are primarily engaged in the defense of civil litigation.  The FDCC is committed to increasing the diversity in the legal profession.  You can learn more about the organization at www.thefederation.org.  A number of years ago, the FDCC established the Barb Currie Diversity Scholarship.  Attached is a description of the scholarship, its criteria and application process.  Applications are due no later than February 28, 2020.  

We are seeking attorney raters for the Clark County Mock Trial middle school tournament, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th and Thursday, January 30th.  

Wednesday, January 29, 2019                                                 

Round 1 - 1:00-3:00pm (5 volunteers needed)

Round 2 - 3:15-5:15pm (8 volunteers needed)

Round 3 - 5:30-7:30pm (9 volunteers needed)

Thursday, January 30, 2019

Round 4 - 1:00-3:00pm (9 volunteers needed)

The trials are held at the Clark County Courthouse (1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA).  Raters need to meet in the first floor jury assembly room.  Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your round to get room assignments and score sheets.  Each trial lasts about 2 hours.

It’s very easy and fun and you don’t need any specific experience.  All you have to do is watch the trial and give some short, positive feedback to the students at the end.

In exchange for your time we can offer our gratitude, some free food and drink, and the enjoyable experience of watching these students participate in this program.

Please email me if you are able to volunteer this year.  Thank you!

Jill Sasser

jill.sasser@landerholm.com

The WSBA is looking for a new or young lawyer to chair this years Trial Advocacy Program. TAP is a really good trial practice CLE that offers two seminar days followed by a mock trial. It’s geared for folks who would like direct court room experience; the faculty are top-notch presenters who share great tips and tricks. They usually pair a civil and criminal law practitioner together as co-chairs. This year, a criminal law attorney is needed to serve as chair-elect. Kristin Teutscher, a civil law practitioner and last year’s chair-elect, is the current chair.

Greetings!  The deadline to make submissions for NCWBA award consideration is approaching!

Nominations are now being accepted from member associations for three NCWBA awards to be presented at the Women's Bar Leadership Summit to be held in Chicago on Friday, July 31. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, January 24 at 9:00 pm PST. Questions? Email us.

The Public Service Award is designed to recognize public service programs, projects or initiatives that NCWBA members have created to serve others. There is a wide range of programs, projects and initiatives that may qualify under the umbrella of a public service program. Members are encouraged to broaden their perspective on what public service means and deepen our commitment as lawyers to our public service obligations .For examples of previous award-winning projects, click here.

The Outstanding Member Program Award is given to member associations to highlight and recognize innovative and effective programs and projects for their own members. Prior awards recipients and descriptions of the programs previously recognized can be found here.

The Women's Law Student Association Award will be presented for the first time in 2020. Member women's law school groups may nominate anything from a unique presentation, service project, panel discussion or other initiative. Be creative: the sky's the limit! We invite you to share this and information about NCWBA's new membership option for law student groups with a women's law school organization in your network.

A central goal of the NCWBA is to share best practices and program ideas with one another, and our annual awards are one way to do this. We hope you will send us a nomination!