NW Lawyer - October 2014

How $1 of License Fee

Revenue Supports WSBA Programs and Operations in FY20151

DISCIPLINE & DISABILITY SYSTEMS: Costs to handle consumer inquiries and written grievances through disposition (including disciplinary counsel, hearing officer, and disciplinary board costs); to administer the WSBA audit program; and to educate members, law students, and legal professionals about legal ethics, trust account compliance, and the lawyer discipline system.

LICENSING SERVICES: Costs to process forms and licenses, and respond to inquiries for over 36,000 members, and to maintain and respond to questions about members and their public membership information.

GENERAL COUNSEL: Legal representation to the WSBA, Board of Governors, and other boards, task forces, and committees; records request and litigation management; oversight, interpretation, and analysis of WSBA Bylaws and other legal issues; and investigation of unauthorized practice of law complaints.

OTHER LEGAL PROFESSIONALS: Development costs for the Supreme Court-mandated Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) and Limited Practice Officer programs. Once implemented, the LLLT program is intended to be self-supporting; revenues generated will be credited back to cover these costs.

MEMBER BENEFITS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Costs for the Ethics Line, Ethics School, Law Office Management Assistance Program, Lawyers Assistance Program, and Mentorship Program, as well as WSBA-sponsored benefits, including free legal research and the member assistance program through Wellspring. This category also supports new and young lawyer education, training, and leadership and staff support to nearly 900 WSBA volunteers.

PUBLIC SERVICE & DIVERSITY: Supports the Access to Justice Board and WSBA’s public service programs, including the Moderate Means and Call to Duty programs, and other pro and low bono initiatives. Additionally includes WSBA’s efforts to advance diversity and equality in the legal profession, as guided by the 2013 Diversity & Inclusion Plan. These activities are supported in part by a grant from the Washington State Bar Foundation.

ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH: Member support through the Service Center; dedicated staff outreach to local, county, and specialty bars; member communications through the WSBA’s official publication NWLawyer, the NWSidebar blog, wsba.org, and the WSBA Career Center; legislative support provided to WSBA leadership and sections.

MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS: WSBA leadership, management, and internal support functions.

1 This chart reflects WSBA activities supported in any way by member license fees. It does not include income-generating services or programs that cover — or more than cover — their own costs (e.g., Mandatory CLE services, Admissions/Bar Exam, etc.).