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2026 April Hearsay

Page 1


HearSay

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

April 2026

The Clark County Bar Association is a professional organization that serves to support our local attorney community through providing education and networking opportunities designed to enhance and foster better relationships within the local legal community.

April Hearsay Contributors

Lisa Darco

Clark County Bar Association

Lisa Darco has served as the Executive Director of the Clark County Bar Association since 2011. In 2021, she was honored with the Professionalism in Practice Award by the WSBA.

Amanda Hartman

Beaty Hatch

Amanda joined the Beaty Hatch team in February 2025 as a family law attorney. She focuses her practice on dissolutions, modifications and prenuptial agreements.

Josh Sherman

Jane Clark Legal

Josh Sherman dedicates his practice to representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases.

Clients Don't Often See the Whole Board

Divorce can be like a chess match. In the midst of the emotions that come with it clients don't often see the whole board. Having a CDLP® on your client team will protect them now and when they're ready to make the next move. Contact Theresa Springer, CDLP® today!

Prepared Clients Are Better Clients

A Resource for Clients Exploring Divorce

Not all clients are ready for immediate legal action. Our workshops are ideal for those exploring their options. Referring them to Second Saturday prepares them for future steps, leading to more decisive clients for your practice.

Expand Your Network and Client Base

Presenting at Second Saturday Workshops showcases your expertise, builds connections, and attracts clients in the early stages of considering divorce. This exposure positions you as a trusted family law authority leading to new business opportunities.

Bound: Part 4

C C B A

President’s Message

B y N a t h a n P e t e r s e n

L a w y e r i n g i s s t r e s s f u l I t i s h a r d n o t to t a ke t h e w e i g h t o f y o u r w o r k h o m e

w i t h y o u a t t i m e s . I r e m e m b e r v e r y e a r l y i n to p r a c t i c e f i g h t i n g t h e c o n s t a n t

u r g e to c h e c k m y e m a i l w h i l e o n v a c a t i o n , j u s t to s e e w h a t f i r e s h a d e r u p te d

w h i l e I w a s o u t O v e r t h o s e f i r s t f e w y e a r s o f p r a c t i c e , I h a d to s e t b o u n d a r i e s

w i t h m y s e l f i n o r d e r to m a n a g e w o r k s t r e s s . I w a n te d to s h a r e s o m e o f t h o s e

b o u n d a r i e s f o r t h e p r e s i d e n t ’ s m e s s a g e t h i s m o n t h . E v e r y o n e l i ke s

u n s o l i c i te d a d v i c e , r i g h t?

R e m o v e d w o r k e m a i l f r o m m y p h o n e - T h i s w a s a s l o w p r o c e s s . F i r s t , I

r e m o v e d t h e n o t i f i c a t i o n s o u n d . T h e n I r e m o v e d t h e n u m b e r i c o n

s h o w i n g u n r e a d e m a i l s . T h e n I h i d t h e a p p o n m y p h o n e . E v e n t u a l l y, I

d e c i d e d to r e m o v e i t f o r o n e w e e k w h i l e o n v a c a t i o n I n e v e r t u r n e d i t

b a c k o n . I s t i l l h a v e i t a c c e s s i b l e o n m y i P a d a n d l a p to p , s o i t ’ s a v a i l a b l e i f

n e e d e d , b u t I d o n ’ t n e e d to b e a t i t s b e c k a n d c a l l .

D o n ’ t r e a d p l e a d i n g s t h a t c o m e i n l a te a f te r n o o n – I u s e d to a l w a y s w a n t

to s c r a tc h t h e i tc h o f r e a d i n g w h a t t h e i r r e s p o n s e s w e r e . I f o u n d w h e n I

d i d t h i s t h a t m y m i n d w a s o c c u p i e d w i t h p r o c e s s i n g i t a n d c r a f t i n g m y

r e s p o n s e f o r t h e f i r s t h o u r o r s o I w a s h o m e a n d I s t i l l h a d to g o i n t h e

n e x t m o r n i n g a n d p u t t h e r e s p o n s e to p a p e r I t a l s o f e l t u n f a i r to m y

f a m i l y

S h u t d o w n e m a i l a t 4 : 3 0 – S a m e c o n c e p t a s n o t r e a d i n g p l e a d i n g s . M y

s t a f f d o e s a l e r t m e i f s o m e t h i n g t r u l y u r g e n t c o m e s i n .

E v e r y t h i n g i s a n e m e r g e n c y, n o t h i n g i s a n e m e r g e n c y – T h i s i s e s p e c i a l l y

a p p l i c a b l e to f a m i l y l a w. E a r l y o n I h a d to l e a r n t h a t i f I l e t c l i e n t s d i c t a te

w h a t w a s a n e m e r g e n c y, i t w o u l d b e n e v e r e n d i n g .

C C B A P R E S E N T S

“ T H E M A Y H E W ”

G O L F T O U R N A M E N T

J U L Y 1 0 , 2 0 2 6

S h o t g u n s t a r t 1 : 0 0 P M

P i z z a a n d P r i z e s

T r i - M o u n t a i n

G o l f C o u r s e

R i d g e f i e l d , W A

1 8 - h o l e s o f g o l f w i t h c a r t i n c l u d e d . P i z z a a n d p r i z e s a f t e r w a r d .

E a r l y r e g i s t r a t i o n i s $ 1 0 0 p e r p l a y e r . A f t e r M a y 3 1 s t i t i s $ 1 1 5 p e r

p l a y e r . W e a r e a l s o l o o k i n g f o r s p o n s o r s ! P l e a s e r e a c h o u t t o

B e n n e t t B r a n d e n b u r g i f y o u ' r e i n t e r e s t e d i n s p o n s o r i n g .

V i s i t t h e C C B A W e b s i t e o r m a i l a c h e c k t o t h e C C B A

O f f i c e t o r e g i s t e r !

I n d i v i d u a l - $ 1 0 0

T e a m o f F o u r - $ 4 0 0

T e a m o f F o u r + O n C o u r s e S p o n s o r s h i p - $ 9 0 0

O n C o u r s e S p o n s o r s h i p O n l y - $ 5 0 0

O f f C o u r s e S p o n s o r s h i p O n l y - $ 2 5 0

I f y o u h a v e q u e s t i o n s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t :

A l e x U s k o s k i - a u s k o s k i @ v a n c o u v e r l a w . n e t o r

B e n n e t t B r a n d e n b u r g - b e n n e t t @ t h e b r a n d e n b u r g l a w f i r m . c o m

H o w e v e r , m y p l a n w a s d e r a i l e d t o s o m e e x t e n t b y t h e C O V I D - 1 9 P a n d e m i c

b e c a u s e o f t h e t r a v e l r e s t r i c t i o n s t h a t w e r e i n p l a c e d u r i n g t h e f i r s t p a r t o f

t h e p a n d e m i c i n 2 0 2 0 . I n f a c t , I w a s n o t e v e n a b l e t o a t t e n d m y s w e a r i n g - i n

c e r e m o n y i n p e r s o n a n d w a s s w o r n i n b y C h i e f J u s t i c e S t e p h e n s a s t h e

W S B A p r e s i d e n t o v e r Z o o m f r o m m y d i n i n g r o o m t a b l e . T h e p a n d e m i c

r e s h a p e d m y p l a n s a s p r e s i d e n t , w h i c h w a s a h u g e s u r p r i s e t h a t n e v e r c o u l d

h a v e b e e n p r e d i c t e d . T h e f l e x i b i l i t y t o c h a n g e d u e t o d i r e a n d u n f o r e s e e n

c i r c u m s t a n c e s b e c a m e a h a l l m a r k o f m y p r e s i d e n c y .

W h a t w e r e y o u r b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e s d u r i n g y o u r p r e s i d e n c y ?

T h e C O V I D - 1 9 P a n d e m i c w a s w i t h o u t a d o u b t t h e b i g g e s t c h a l l e n g e . W e

o v e r c a m e t h i s b y i m p l e m e n t i n g v i r t u a l m e e t i n g s a n d w o r k i n g c l o s e l y w i t h

t h e W a s h i n g t o n S u p r e m e C o u r t . I n p a r t i c u l a r w h e n t h e W a s h i n g t o n

S u p r e m e C o u r t a n d W S B A m a n d a t e d C O V I D v a c c i n a t i o n s f o r t h e i r

e m p l o y e e s a n d v o l u n t e e r s a c r o s s t h e s t a t e , t h i s w a s h i g h l y c o n t r o v e r s i a l a n d

f i e r c e l y d e b a t e d b y t h e B o a r d o f G o v e r n o r s . L o o k i n g b a c k , i t w a s a v e r y s c a r y

a n d d a n g e r o u s t i m e b e c a u s e t h e v i r u s w a s t a k i n g h u n d r e d s o f t h o u s a n d s o f

l i v e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y . A s a n a s s o c i a t i o n , w e d e e m e d i t m e d i c a l l y

n e c e s s a r y t o p r o t e c t s t a f f a n d v o l u n t e e r s

T h e r e w a s a l s o a c o n s t i t u t i o n a l l a w d e b a t e

r e g a r d i n g w h e t h e r o r n o t t h e W S B A s h o u l d

c o n t i n u e t o b e a m a n d a t o r y b a r v e r s u s

v o l u n t a r y d u e t o f r e e d o m o f a s s o c i a t i o n a n d

f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h i s s u e s . W a s h i n g t o n ’ s

m a n d a t o r y b a r s t r u c t u r e c o m b i n e s r e g u l a t o r y

f u n c t i o n s ( l i c e n s i n g , d i s c i p l i n e , a d m i s s i o n s )

w i t h v o l u n t a r y p r o f e s s i o n a l a s s o c i a t i o n

f u n c t i o n s ( c o m m i t t e e s , t a s k f o r c e s , s e c t i o n s ,

l e g i s l a t i v e a c t i v i t y ) i n t o o n e o r g a n i z a t i o n . T h e

c o r e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l i s s u e r e v o l v e s a r o u n d t h e

F i r s t A m e n d m e n t r i g h t s o f f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h

a n d a s s o c i a t i o n . T h e c e n t r a l q u e s t i o n b e i n g

d e b a t e d a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y i s : D o e s r e q u i r i n g l a w y e r s t o b e a m e m b e r o f a n

i n t e g r a t e d b a r a n d p a y f e e s v i o l a t e t h e i r F i r s t A m e n d m e n t r i g h t s w h e n t h e

b a r e n g a g e s i n n o n - r e g u l a t o r y o r p o t e n t i a l l y i d e o l o g i c a l a c t i v i t i e s ? P r i o r t o

m y p r e s i d e n c y a n d n e a r t h e e n d o f m y p r e s i d e n c y , t h i s i s s u e w a s f i e r c e l y

d e b a t e d , a n d i t w a s t w i c e d e c i d e d b y t h e W S B A B o a r d o f G o v e r n o r s t h a t

W S B A s h o u l d r e m a i n a m a n d a t o r y b a r a s s o c i a t i o n .

C o n v e r s e l y , w h a t a c c o m p l i s h m e n t o r i n i t i a t i v e d u r i n g y o u r t e r m a r e y o u

m o s t p r o u d o f , a n d w h y ?

A t t h e e n d o f m y t e r m , I w a s a b l e t o t a k e t h e B o a r d o f G o v e r n o r s t o B o i s e t o

c o l l a b o r a t e w i t h t h e I d a h o S t a t e B a r A s s o c i a t i o n r e g a r d i n g t h e i r m a n d a t o r y

m a l p r a c t i c e i n s u r a n c e r e q u i r e m e n t a n d W a s h i n g t o n ’ s R u l e 9 p r o g r a m I t

w a s a t r e m e n d o u s l e a r n i n g e x p e r i e n c e a n d m o t i v a t e d t h e B o a r d o f

G o v e r n o r s t o a l s o m e e t w i t h t h e O S B i n T i g a r d , O r e g o n , l a t e r t h a t y e a r . T h e r e

w e d i s c u s s e d O r e g o n ’ s d e v e l o p i n g i n i t i a t i v e t o l i c e n s e p a r a l e g a l s t o p e r f o r m

s o m e l e g a l t a s k s p r e v i o u s l y o n l y a v a i l a b l e t o a t t o r n e y s ; c o m p a r i n g t h e i r w o r k

w i t h t h e l e s s o n s l e a r n e d f r o m W a s h i n g t o n ’ s L i m i t e d L i c e n s e d L e g a l

T e c h n i c i a n ( L L L T ) p r o g r a m . B o t h s e s s i o n s w e r e i n s t r u m e n t a l i n b r i n g i n g n e w

i d e a s t o t h e W S B A i n t e r m s o f w h a t h a s w o r k e d w e l l i n O r e g o n a n d I d a h o .

B a r p r e s i d e n t s o f t e n b a l a n c e c o m p e t i n g i n t e r e s t s m e m b e r s , t h e p u b l i c ,

t h e c o u r t s , a n d t h e l e g i s l a t u r e . H o w d i d y o u n a v i g a t e t h o s e t e n s i o n s

d u r i n g y o u r t i m e w i t h t h e W S B A ?

R e g a r d i n g m a n d a t o r y l i a b i l i t y i n s u r a n c e , a m e m b e r o f t h e p u b l i c s t r o n g l y

a d v o c a t e d f o r m a k i n g t h a t a r e q u i r e m e n t f o r W a s h i n g t o n a t t o r n e y s a n d t h e

B o a r d o f G o v e r n o r s c o n s i d e r e d t h e t o p i c a t l e n g t h . T h e r e w a s a l o t o f

d i s s e n t a m o n g s t t h e b o a r d d u e t o f e a r t h a t i t w o u l d b e m o r e e x p e n s i v e t h a n

t h e p r e m i u m s t h a t s o m e p r a c t i t i o n e r s w e r e a l r e a d y p a y i n g f o r i n s u r a n c e

a n d b e c a u s e s o m e o f t h e b o a r d t h o u g h t i t w a s w r o n g t o f o r c e m e m b e r s t o

p u r c h a s e i n s u r a n c e . A s a c o m p r o m i s e , w e c r e a t e d a r e q u i r e m e n t t h a t i f a m e m b e r d o e s n o t h a v e i n s u r a n c e , t h e y m u s t d i s c l o s e t h i s t o t h e i r c l i e n t .

H a v i n g s e e n h o w m a n d a t o r y m a l p r a c t i c e i n s u r a n c e o p e r a t e s i n O r e g o n a n d

b e n e f i t s i t s l i c e n s e e s , I s t i l l t h i n k i t ’ s a n i d e a t h a t t h e W S B A a n d i t s m e m b e r s s h o u l d c o n s i d e r .

W h a t d o y o u t h i n k m o s t W S B A m e m b e r s m i s u n d e r s t a n d o r

u n d e r a p p r e c i a t e a b o u t t h e b a r a s s o c i a t i o n ?

I s o m e t i m e s h e a r m e m b e r s c o m p l a i n a b o u t t h e W S B A b e i n g j u s t a

d i s c i p l i n a r y b o d y . W e a r e s o m u c h m o r e t h a n t h a t . T h e W S B A i s a n

o r g a n i z a t i o n m a d e u p o f W a s h i n g t o n l i c e n s e d l e g a l p r o f e s s i o n a l s t h a t i s

c o m m u n i t y b a s e d . W h i l e t h e r e i s a d i s c i p l i n a r y a r m o f t h e b o a r d , m e m b e r s

s h o u l d r e a l i z e t h a t w e a r e l a r g e l y s e l f - r e g u l a t e d t h r o u g h o u r o w n

c o m m u n i t y o f m e m b e r s . B y v i r t u e o f b e i n g c o m m u n i t y b a s e d , t h e W S B A h a s

s o m u c h t o o f f e r t o i t s m e m b e r s i f t h e y c h o o s e t o g e t i n v o l v e d a n d

p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e v a r i o u s s e c t i o n s , c o m m i t t e e s , a n d t a s k f o r c e s . I a l s o w a n t

t o p o i n t o u t t h a t m e m b e r s g e t s o m a n y b e n e f i t s a n d r e s o u r c e s f o r t h e i r

a n n u a l f e e ; I w a s p r o u d , f o r i n s t a n c e , t o h e l p h i g h l i g h t t h e m o d e l o f f r e e

d e s k b o o k s f o r t h e W S B A ( s o m e t h i n g O r e g o n h a d b e e n d o i n g f o r y e a r s ) ,

w h i c h r e c e n t l y l e d t o a l e n d i n g m o d e l t h r o u g h t h e W a s h i n g t o n S t a t e L a w

L i b r a r y .

A r e t h e r e p a r t i c u l a r p r o g r a m s , s e r v i c e s , o r b e h i n d - t h e - s c e n e s f u n c t i o n s

o f t h e W S B A t h a t y o u b e l i e v e e v e r y m e m b e r s h o u l d b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d o r

e n g a g e w i t h ?

D u r i n g m y p r e s i d e n c y , I w r o t e a c o l u m n i n T h e B a r N e w s f o c u s i n g o n

i m p r o v i n g t h e W S B A ’ s M e m b e r W e l l n e s s P r o g r a m , w h i c h p r o m o t e s t h e

w e l l - b e i n g o f W S B A m e m b e r s a n d l a w s t u d e n t s . T h e p r o g r a m i t s e l f i s a

m e m b e r r e s o u r c e f o r c o n s u l t a t i o n , c o m m u n i t y , a n d e d u c a t i o n o n m e n t a l

h e a l t h a n d s e l f - c a r e t o p i c s . A l l s e r v i c e s a r e c o n f i d e n t i a l . I n o r d e r t o b e t h e

b e s t p o s s i b l e l a w y e r s a n d i m p r o v e o u r c o m m u n i t i e s , w e h a v e t o h a v e s t r o n g

m e n t a l h e a l t h T w o y e a r s a g o , t h e W S B A e s t a b l i s h e d a t a s k f o r c e c h a r g e d

w i t h s t u d y i n g w h a t w e c o u l d d o t o i m p r o v e o u r p r o g r a m s a n d t h e s e r v i c e s

w e o f f e r o u r m e m b e r s i n t h i s a r e a . I s t r o n g l y e n c o u r a g e m e m b e r s t o

c o n t a c t t h e M e m b e r W e l l n e s s P r o g r a m i f t h e y n e e d h e l p o r h a v e i d e a s

a b o u t h o w t h e W S B A c a n i m p r o v e i n t h i s a r e a

W e a r e a l s o e n t e r i n g a n e r a w h e r e a l l o f o u r m e m b e r s n e e d t o b e u p t o d a t e

w i t h t e c h n o l o g y . T o t h i s e n d , t h e W S B A c r e a t e d t h e L e g a l T e c h n o l o g y T a s k

F o r c e i n t e n d e d t o p r o v i d e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a n d r e s e a r c h i n t o m o d e l t o o l s

a n d r e s o u r c e s t h a t s u p p o r t l e g a l p r o f e s s i o n a l s b a s e d o n d i r e c t m e m b e r f e e d b a c k a n d b e s t m o d e l s .

F o r m e m b e r s i n r u r a l a r e a s , I s t r o n g l y e n c o u r a g e t h e m t o g e t i n v o l v e d w i t h

t h e S m a l l T o w n a n d R u r a l ( S T A R ) C o u n c i l T h e g o a l o f S T A R i s t o m a k e s u r e

t h a t r u r a l c o m m u n i t i e s c o n t i n u e t o h a v e a c c e s s t o q u a l i t y l e g a l s e r v i c e s . T h e

p r a c t i c e o f l a w i s a l s o u n d e r a t t a c k b y p u b l i c d i s t r u s t . T h e R u l e o f L a w

A m b a s s a d o r s p r o g r a m i s i n t e n d e d t o p r o m o t e c i v i c e n g a g e m e n t , t r u s t , a n d c o n f i d e n c e

D o y o u h a v e a n y a d v i c e f o r p r a c t i t i o n e r s b a s e d o n w h a t y o u l e a r n e d f r o m

y o u r t i m e a t t h e W S B A ?

G e t i n v o l v e d ! M y t i m e a t t h e W S B A h a s m a d e m e a b e t t e r l a w y e r b y v i r t u e o f

b e i n g s u r r o u n d e d b y o t h e r f a n t a s t i c l a w y e r s w h o a r e m o t i v a t e d t o i m p r o v e

t h e p r a c t i c e o f l a w T h e r e a r e c o u n t l e s s o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o g e t i n v o l v e d a n d

t h e y a r e a l l r e w a r d i n g .

A r e t h e r e a n y i n i t i a t i v e s f r o m t h e W S B A t h a t y o u h o p e t o a d a p t o r b u i l d

u p o n d u r i n g y o u r t e n u r e w i t h t h e O r e g o n S t a t e B a r ?

Y e s , t h e r e a r e m o r e a t t o r n e y s r e t i r i n g i n O r e g o n t h a n a r e b e i n g a d m i t t e d t o

p r a c t i c e . T h i s p r o b l e m i s m o r e s e v e r e i n r u r a l a r e a s . I h o p e t o b r i n g a S T A R

p r o g r a m t o t h e O S B t o h e l p s t r e n g t h e n t h e p r a c t i c e o f l a w i n r u r a l O r e g o n . I

w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o w o r k o n c r e a t i n g a v e r s i o n o f t h e R u l e 6 L a w C l e r k

p r o g r a m f o r O r e g o n b y w h i c h p a r t i c i p a n t s a r e p r o v i d e d a l e g a l e d u c a t i o n

g u i d e d b y a t u t o r u n d e r a n a p p r e n t i c e s h i p m o d e l . T h e s e a r e b o t h a c c e s s t o

j u s t i c e i s s u e s b e c a u s e O r e g o n i a n s n e e d m o r e a t t o r n e y s t o b r i d g e t h e j u s t i c e

g a p i n m a n y a r e a s o f p r a c t i c e .

W h a t a r e y o u l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a s t h e f u t u r e O S B p r e s i d e n t ?

I a m l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o o n c e a g a i n t r a v e l i n g a c r o s s t h e s t a t e a n d l e a r n i n g

f r o m l i c e n s e e s a b o u t w h a t i s w o r k i n g w e l l a n d h o w t h e O S B c a n h e l p t h e i r

l e g a l c o m m u n i t i e s . I a l s o w a n t t o s u p p o r t t h e O S B i n r e a c h i n g o u t t o i t s

m a n y o u t - o f - s t a t e m e m b e r s l o c a t e d i n n e i g h b o r i n g s t a t e s a n d a c r o s s t h e

g l o b e a n d f i n d m o r e w a y s t o e n c o u r a g e o u t - o f - s t a t e m e m b e r s t o g e t

i n v o l v e d i n t h e O S B .

Gramma Crafts

We recently gathered for one of my favorite kinds of after noons a little something we called Gramma Crafts. T he idea was simple : show up, bring your favorite craft, and spend two cozy hours doing what you love , side by side with friends. No agenda, no pressure . You could craft, watch , chat, snack, lear n something new, or all of the above .

And show up the y did! Our crafters came ar med with crochet hooks, paintbrushes, coloring books, and felting needles a little bit of ever ything. T he room had that wonderful, quiet-busy ener g y where ever yone is happily absorbed in something and conversation f lows in and out naturally . One especially ambitious friend even showed up with homemade cookies, which may have been the highlight of the entire event (we see you , and we love you).

If you've been on the fence about coming to a CCBA Connects event, Gramma Crafts is a pretty good picture of what we're all about — low-ke y , welcoming, and genuinely fun . Keep an e ye out for the ne xt one . Bring your knitting. Bring your sketchbook. Bring cookies. We'll be here .

Request for Qualifications (RFQ): Public Defense Attorney Services

The City of Vancouver is seeking qualified attorneys to provide professional public defense services for indigent individuals charged with misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor offenses in district court.

Scope of Services:

Selected contractors will be responsible for providing comprehensive legal representation, including but not limited to:

● Client consultation and case evaluation

● Court appearances and trial representation

● Legal research, motion practice, and negotiations

● Ensuring compliance with constitutional, statutory, and City and Washington State Bar Association standards for indigent defense.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Active membership in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association, which may be through reciprocity from Oregon

● Demonstrated experience in criminal defense, particularly in municipal or district court

● Familiarity with City/WSBA indigent defense standards

● Ability to manage caseloads in compliance with state guidelines

Contract Terms:

The City anticipates awarding contracts with a term of two years with options to extend, with compensation structured as $500/case, or $1,000 if it requires a trial.

Submission Requirements:

Interested applicants must submit:

● Letter of interest

● Resume

● Description of relevant experience

● References

Deadline for Submission: Ongoing recruitment

Submission Method: Please submit materials to: Katherine.Kelly@cityofvancouver.us

The City of Vancouver is an equal opportunity contractor and encourages applications from diverse and historically underrepresented legal professionals For questions, please contact: Katherine Kelly, Policy & Programs Manager Katherine.kelly@cityofvancouver.us

Be Foun d. Be Hired.

Smar t Lawyers Don’t Wait. They Get Referred.

M a n y C C B A m e m b e r s d o n ' t r e a l i z e t h e y a l r e a d y h a v e a c c e s s to o n e

o f t h e m o s t e f f e c t i v e c l i e n t d e v e l o p m e n t to o l s a v a i l a b l e : t h e S o u t h w e s t

Wa s h i n g to n L a w y e r R e f e r r a l S e r v i c e ( S W L R S ) .

T h i s i s n o t a p r o b o n o p r o g r a m . I t i s n o t a m o d e s t - m e a n s s e r v i c e . E v e r y

c l i e n t w h o c o n t a c t s S W L R S i s a c t i v e l y l o o k i n g to h i r e a n a t to r n e y a n d

u n d e r s t a n d s t h e y w i l l b e p a y i n g f o r l e g a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n . S W L R S

s i m p l y m a ke s t h e i nt r o d u c t i o n a n d t h e n s te p s a s i d e

W h e t h e r y o u ' r e b u i l d i n g a n e w p r a c t i c e , e x p a n d i n g i n to a d d i t i o n a l

a r e a s o f l a w, o r l o o k i n g f o r a r e l i a b l e s o u r c e o f q u a l i f i e d l e a d s , S W L R S

d e l i v e r s .

How it works

C h o o s e Yo u r P a n e l s

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a n d w h i c h c a s e s y o u t a ke

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a t to r n e y s o n t h e ap p r o p r i a te p a n e l Yo u r e c e i v e t h e r e f e r r a l ; y o u d e c i d e

w h e t h e r to p r o c e e d .

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S W L R S a s k s o n l y t h a t y o u o f f e r a n i n i t i a l c o n s u l t a t i o n a t a r e d u c e d r a te

n o t to e xc e e d $ 1 5 0 f o r 3 0 m i n u te s . Yo u r r a te s f r o m t h a t p o i n t

f o r w a r d a r e e n t i r e l y y o u r o w n .

S t a y I n f o r m e d

D e s i g n a te w h o e v e r w o r k s b e s t y o u , a p a r a l e g a l , o r a n o t h e r o f f i c e

c o n t a c t to r e c e i v e u p d a te s . T h e s y s te m i s s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d a n d

r e q u i r e s m i n i m a l a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o v e r h e a d

H i g h - d e m a n d p a n e l s i n c l u d i n g A d m i n i s t r a t i v e L a w,

C r i m i n a l L a w, R e a l E s t a t e , a n d C i v i l L i t i g a t i o n — c o n s i s t e n t l y

s e e t h e h i g h e s t r e f e r r a l v o l u m e s , o f f e r i n g i m m e d i a t e

o p p o r t u n i t y f o r a t t o r n e y s i n t h o s e a r e a s .

What Members Are Saying

" S W L R S c o n n e c te d m e w i t h c l i e n t s i m m e d i a te l y n o a d v e r t i s i n g , n o

c h a s i n g l e a d s . "

" I h a v e s i g n e d u p f o r t h e L a w y e r R e f e r r a l S e r v i c e e v e r s i n c e I j o i n e d t h e

C C B A . I t i s a n e xc e l l e n t r e s o u r c e f o r o u r c o m m u n i t y m e m b e r s l o o k i n g

to f i n d t h e r i g h t l a w y e r . "

– J e s s e J a c o b s

" T h a n k s to t h e R e f e r r a l S e r v i c e , m y p r a c t i c e i s c o n s t a n t l y g r o w i n g a n d

e v o l v i n g , a n d I w i l l f o r e v e r b e g l a d a n d t h a n k f u l f o r j o i n i n g . H a d I n o t

j o i n e d , I d o u b t t h a t m y p r a c t i c e w o u l d h a v e m a d e i t t h r o u g h t h e f i r s t

l o n e l y a n d d r y m o n t h s I f y o u a r e n o t c u r r e n t l y a m e m b e r , I w o u l d

h i g h l y r e c o m m e n d s i g n i n g u p . "

– J o s e p h Wa g n e r

Real Clients. Real Fees. Real Resul ts.

S W L R S i s o n e o f t h e m o s t c o s t - e f f e c t i v e w a y s to g r o w y o u r c l i e n t

b a s e w i t h o u t G o o g l e a d s , m a r ke t i n g c a m p a i g n s , o r c o l d o u t r e a c h .

T h e c l i e n t s w h o c a l l a r e r e a d y to h i r e T h e o n l y q u e s t i o n i s w h e t h e r t h e y ' l l f i n d y o u .

E n r o l l m e n t i s q u i c k T h e c o m m i t m e n t i s m i n i m a l T h e u p s i d e i s r e a l

R e a d y to g e t s t a r te d ?

Co n t a c t C h r i s t y G r a f to n a t t h e C C B A o f f i c e to e n r o l l o r l e a r n m o r e .

c h r i s t y @ c c b a w a s h i n g to n . o r g

( 3 6 0 ) 6 9 5 - 0 5 9 9

A program of the Clark County Bar Association

CAROLINE WITHERSPOON

T h i s c o l u m n h i g h l i g h t s a n a t t o r n e y

w h o i s n e w t o t h e C l a r k C o u n t y l e g a l

c o m m u n i t y . T h i s m o n t h , w e a r e

f e a t u r i n g C a r o l i n e W i t h e r s p o o n .

W i t h o u t f u r t h e r a d o , l e t ’ s g e t t o

k n o w C a r o l i n e !

W h e r e a r e y o u f r o m ?

I a m f r o m C l a r k C o u n t y W a s h i n g t o n . I

g r e w u p i n H o c k i n s o n , g r a d u a t e d f r o m

B a t t l e G r o u n d H i g h S c h o o l i n 2 0 1 8 ,

g r a d u a t e d f r o m C l a r k c o l l e g e i n 2 0 1 9

a n d t h e n W a s h i n g t o n S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y

V a n c o u v e r i n 2 0 2 1 . I w e n t a w a y b r i e f l y

t o l a w s c h o o l a t G o n z a g a U n i v e r s i t y , a n d

d e c i d e d I w a n t e d t o c o m e h o m e t o s t a r t

m y c a r e e r

W h e r e d o y o u w o r k ?

I w o r k a t t h e L a w O f f i c e o f S t e v e n L .

B u s i c k w h e r e I r e p r e s e n t i n j u r e d w o r k e r s

o n t h e i r w o r k e r c o m p e n s a t i o n c l a i m s

H o w l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n w o r k i n g i n C l a r k C o u n t y ?

I h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g i n C l a r k C o u n t y s i n c e I f i n i s h e d l a w s c h o o l i n 2 0 2 4

H o w a r e y o u l i k i n g i t s o f a r ?

I l o v e d o i n g w o r k e r c o m p e n s a t i o n l a w , a n d S t e v e B u s i c k i s t h e o n e

w h o ’ s b e e n d o i n g i t t h e l o n g e s t . G e t t i n g t o l e a r n f r o m a l a w y e r w i t h

o v e r 5 0 y e a r s o f e x p e r i e n c e i s a r a r e o p p o r t u n i t y t h a t I d o n ’ t t a k e f o r

g r a n t e d I a l s o e n j o y w o r k i n g i n a n o f f i c e d o w n t o w n w h e r e t h e r e a r e

g r e a t s p o t s t o h a v e d i n n e r a n d g o s h o p p i n g a f t e r I ’ m d o n e w o r k i n g

f o r t h e d a y .

W h a t i s y o u r f a v o r i t e p a r t o f y o u r j o b ?

I e n j o y f i n d i n g s o l u t i o n s f o r p e o p l e w h o a r e s t r u g g l i n g w i t h a d i f f i c u l t l e g a l

i s s u e . I a l s o l o v e g e t t i n g t o s p e a k S p a n i s h a t w o r k e v e r y d a y

W h a t n e i g h b o r h o o d d o y o u l i v e i n ?

I l i v e u p o n L a r c h M o u n t a i n i n H o c k i n s o n i n t h e m i d d l e o f a b i g f o r e s t

D o y o u h a v e a n y p e t s ?

I h a v e a n o r a n g e c a t , C l e m e n t i n e , a n d t h r e e c h i c k e n s , A p r i l , M o i r a , a n d

S i g g y

D r i n k o f c h o i c e - b e e r , w i n e , c o f f e e ?

I l o v e i c e d h e r b a l t e a M e t a l l i o n C a f e r i g h t n e a r m y o f f i c e h a s t h e b e s t t e a s

I f I ’ m h a v i n g a d r i n k , I l o v e a F r e n c h 7 5 .

F a v o r i t e V a c a t i o n ?

A r g e n t i n a a n d U r u g u a y i n 2 0 1 8 . I a t e R i o d e l a P l a t a r e g i o n s t a p l e s l i k e b a k e d

e m p a n a d a s , d u l c e d e l e c h e , a n d m e d i a l u n a s . I g o t t o s e e a m a z i n g h i s t o r i c a l

s i t e s a t C o l o n i a i n U r u g u a y , a n d B u e n o s A i r e s , C ó r d o b a , a n d A l t a G r a c i a i n

A r g e n t i n a I a l s o l o v e d s e e i n g w i l d f l a m i n g o s a t M a r C h i q u i t a

F a v o r i t e r e s t a u r a n t i n P o r t l a n d / V a n c o u v e r ?

I t ’ s a t i e b e t w e e n G o l d e n T u s k a n d H e a r t y K - B o p i n B a t t l e G r o u n d . I

e a s i l y g o t o t h o s e t w o p l

T e l l u s a f u n f a c t

a b o u t y o u r s e l f .

I s t a r t e d c o l l e c t i n g p l a n t s i n

l a w s c h o o l , a n d n o w I h a v e

o v e r 1 5 0 p l a n t s i n m y h o u s e . I

p a r t i c u l a r l y l o v e b i g

p h i l o d e n d r o n s a n d

c a r n i v o r o u s p l a n t s l i k e

p i n g u i c u l a s .

D o yo u k n o w s o m e o n e n e w t o

th e c o m m u ni t y th a t w e

sh o uld m e e t? S e nd u s th ei r

n a m e a nd w e will f e a t u r e

th e m i n a n u pc o mi n g i s s u e .

E m ail : Whi t n e y H a wk ewh a wk e@v a n c o u v e rl a w . n e t

TOGETHER WE GROW! volunteer event

M A Y 3 0

S A T U R D A Y 9 : 0 0 A MN O O N

HERITAGE FARM

1919 NE 78th Street Vancouver, WA 98665 Park in the lot, follow CCFB signage to check-in (slight uphill walk).

Get your hands dirty for a good cause! Join the CCBA DEI Committee for a planting day at Heritage Farm in support of the Clark County Food Bank's Garden for the Community. Whether you've got a green thumb or you're just here for the fresh air, this all-ages volunteer event is the perfect way to dig in and give back this season. Bring the kids, bring a friend, bring your energy and yes, bring your gloves!

We protect what our clients value most.

McKinley Irvin attorneys are known for their relentless pursuit of successful results, whether representing individuals in financially complex divorce or high conflict parenting disputes.

But perhaps our most noted distinction is our steadfast commitment to protecting what our clients value most.

PORTUGAL PORTUGAL BOUND, PART 4: BOUND, PART 4:

VISITING PORTO

P o r t o w a s o u r t o p c h o i c e w h e n w e b e g a n n a r r o w i n g d o w n c i t i e s i n P o r t u g a l

w h e r e w e c o u l d r e a l i s t i c a l l y s e e o u r s e l v e s l i v i n g . I t i s m o r e a f f o r d a b l e t h a n

L i s b o a , i s t h e s e c o n d - l a r g e s t c i t y i n t h e c o u n t r y , a n d h a s t h e a d v a n t a g e o f a n

i n t e r n a t i o n a l a i r p o r t . S p e n d i n g s e v e r a l d a y s t h e r e h e l p e d c o n f i r m t h a t t h e

r e g i o n c h e c k s m a n y o f o u r b o x e s , e v e n i f P o r t o i t s e l f m a y n o t u l t i m a t e l y b e w h e r e w e s e t t l e l o n g - t e r m

W h i l e i n P o r t o , w e v i s i t e d a c o n t e m p o r a r y a r t m u s e u m , w a t c h e d s u n s e t s

f r o m s e v e r a l b e a u t i f u l p a r k s , a n d h a d s o m e e x c e l l e n t f o o d . T h e f r a n c e s i n h a s a t R e q u i n t e w e r e a s t a n d o u t , a n d o v e r a l l t h e b e s t m e a l s o f o u r t r i p w e r e i n P o r t o a n d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a . T h e c i t y f e l t l i v e l y a n d s o c i a l , w i t h p e o p l e o u t a t a l l h o u r s a n d n o s h o r t a g e o f s m a l l , l o c a l r e s t a u r a n t s s e r v i n g h i g hq u a l i t y , a u t h e n t i c f o o d O f c o u r s e – G o o g l e M a p s a g a i n p r o v e d y o u c a n n o t t r u s t i t w i t h t h e e x i s t e n c e , l o c a t i o n , o r h o u r s o f t h o s e r e s t a u r a n t s .

P o r t o i s v e r y r a i n y – b u t a s s o m e o n e w h o m o v e d t o W a s h i n g t o n t o s e e k t h e r a i n o u t , I a m l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a c o n t i n u a t i o n o f t h e c l i m a t e . I f y o u ’ r e l o o k i n g f o r s u n n y b e a c h e s , y o u m a y w a n t t o f o c u s o n t h e S o u t h

O n e o f P o r t o ’ s s t r e n g t h s i s h o w w e l l i t f u n c t i o n s a s a b a s e f o r e x p l o r i n g

n o r t h e r n P o r t u g a l . W e t o o k a d a y t r i p t o V i a n a d o C a s t e l o , a w a t e r f r o n t c i t y

n o r t h o f P o r t o , w h e r e w e c l i m b e d t h e t o w e r a t t h e S a n t u á r i o d e S a n t a L u z i a

f o r p a n o r a m i c v i e w s o f t h e c o a s t l i n e a n d s u r r o u n d i n g r e g i o n . N o t

r e c o m m e n d e d f o r a n y o n e w i t h c l a u s t r o p h o b i a b e c a u s e t h e f i n a l s t o n e s t e p s

u p a r e s o n a r r o w y o u h a v e t o w a i t f o r a g r e e n l i g h t t o s q u e e z e u p ( o r d o w n )

s o y o u d o n ’ t a c c i d e n t l y r u n i n t o s o m e o n e g o i n g t h e o t h e r w a y a n d g e t

t r a p p e d .

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

W e a l s o v i s i t e d C i t â n i a d e B r i t e i r o s , a p r e - R o m a n h i l l t o p s e t t l e m e n t t h a t y o u

c a n f r e e l y w a l k t h r o u g h , o f f e r i n g a s t r i k i n g r e m i n d e r o f h o w m u c h h i s t o r y i s e m b e d d e d i n t h i s r e g i o n . T h e s i t e i s s p r e a d o u t a n d w e l l - m a r k e d , w i t h s t o n e

f o u n d a t i o n s a n d p a t h s t h a t m a k e i t e a s y t o w a l k t h r o u g h a t y o u r o w n p a c e .

I t f e l t i n f o r m a l a n d o p e n , l e s s l i k e a m u s e u m a n d m o r e l i k e a p l a c e p e o p l e

a r e s i m p l y t r u s t e d t o e x p l o r e

SANTUÁRIO DE SANTA LUZIA

A f t e r s p e n d i n g t i m e i n P o r t o a n d l o o k i n g m o r e c l o s e l y a t w h a t w e w a n t d a y -

t o - d a y , B r a g a e m e r g e d a s a s t r o n g c o n t e n d e r f o r w h e r e w e w o u l d a c t u a l l y

l i v e . A l t h o u g h w e d i d n o t v i s i t B r a g a o n t h i s t r i p , i t s l o c a t i o n j u s t n o r t h o f

P o r t o , l o w e r c o s t o f l i v i n g , a n d r e p u t a t i o n a s a s m a l l e r b u t s t i l l a c t i v e c i t y

m a k e i t a p p e a l i n g B r a g a a p p e a r s t o o f f e r m a n y o f t h e s a m e r e g i o n a l

b e n e f i t s a c c e s s t o f o o d , c u l t u r e , t r a n s i t , a n d d a y t r i p s w h i l e p o t e n t i a l l y

p r o v i d i n g a m o r e a f f o r d a b l e h o m e b a s e , w i t h P o r t o s t i l l e a s i l y a c c e s s i b l e w h e n w e w a n t t h e e n e r g y o f a l a r g e r c i t y . I n o t h e r w o r d s , i t f e e l s s u s p i c i o u s l y f a m i l i a r t o a n y o n e w h o h a s l i v e d i n V a n c o u v e r w i t h P o r t l a n d j u s t d o w n t h e r o a d .

A t t h i s p o i n t , B r a g a f e e l s l i k e t h e l o g i c a l n e x t p l a c e t o e x p l o r e r a t h e r t h a n a c o n c l u s i o n w e ’ v e a l r e a d y r e a c h e d . I t ’ s f i r m l y o n t h e l i s t f o r a f u t u r e t r i p , o n e t h a t w i l l b e e v e n m o r e f o c u s e d o n d a y - t o - d a y l i v a b i l i t y t h a n s i g h t s e e i n g .

T h a n k f u l l y , t h a t m e a n s w e h a v e a v e r y g o o d e x c u s e t o r e t u r n t o n o r t h e r n

P o r t u g a l a n d I ’ m n o t e x a c t l y d i s a p p o i n t e d a b o u t t h a t .

Clark County Bar Association

CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING March 3, 2026

Minutes for the CCBA Board of Trustees Meeting March 3, 2026

1. Called to order 12:08 pm; Petersen, Rapp, Melnick, Larson, Mendoza, Sherman, Wechselblatt, and Executive Director Darco

2. Approval of February 3, 2026 board meeting minutes: (Melnick/Petersen), Approved

3. Treasurer’s Report: (Melnick) Will have a clear picture of finances after Barrister’s Ball expenses and revenue are received and totaled. Motion to approve engaging Opsahl Dawson to explore tax options. (Larson/Rapp) Approved

4. To Discuss

a. Membership Update: Current quarter 394 members, 81 have not renewed, 22 are new members to the CCBA. First Quarter 2025 there were 420 members. Staff memberships 43, 43 total last year.

b. Section Bylaw Amendment: Reviewed section 8.04 final draft language. Motion to approve amendment to add section 8.04. (Petersen/Wechselblatt) Approved. Vote on the amendment will be held at the 3/16/26 General Membership Meeting.

c. Motion to ratify December 2025 board email vote to appoint attorney Meridee Pabst to the Law Library Board. (Melnick/Larson) Approved

d. April board meeting will be rescheduled to 4/14/26

e. Payment Card Industry compliance policy: In order to accept credit card transactions, we need a written security policy that complies with Payment Card Industry data security standards.

5. Upcoming Events

a. Barrister’s Ball- March 7th, 2026

b. CCBA General Meeting- March 16, 2026

Adjourned 12:56

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