WWL State Reporter

A publication of WASHINGTON WOMEN L AWYERS WINTER 2007

WWL Annual Symposium and Dinner Features National Speaker, Honors Justice Bridge and Others INSIDE THIS ISSUE WWL Annual Dinner 1 By Gwen Marie Forrest, WWL from across the state gathered to her contributions to making the Court Appointments 1 Newsletter VP celebrate WWL’s many achieve- successful breast cancer CLE ments and toast WWL’s honor- series a reality. The WWL Foun- John McKay Talk 2 Washington Women Law- ees. dation award went posthumously President’s Letter 2 yers ended its year with a spec- Among the honorees was to Norm Maleng in recognition Female Law School tacular all-day CLE and Annual Justice Bobbe Bridge, who re- of his support of women lawyers; Applicants 3 Dinner at the Bell Harbor Con- ceived the “Passing the Torch his wife and son accepted the ference Center September 28, Award” not only to honor her award on his behalf. Reah Whitehead Breakfast 4 2007. The CLE, titled “Equal spectacularly successful legal ca- Prof. Williams’s keynote Access to Client and Career De- reer, culminating in her service on concluded the evening, as she Announcements 4 velopment,” focused on skill the state’s highest court, but for shared with a new audience her Finding Your Moral building and career advancement. her extraordinary mentorship of analysis of the important role Compass 5 The CLE featured Joan Williams scores of women lawyers. WSBA balanced hours programs can Governmental Affairs 5 of UC Hastings and the Project President Ellen Dial and Dean play in retaining women lawyers. MAMAS Takes Off 5 for Attorney Retention, who Kellye Testy of Seattle University Said incoming President Janet shattered myths regarding the law school were co-recipients of Chung, “Prof. Williams provided Spokane Chapter High- costs to employers in providing the President’s Award for their a real call to action for everyone lights Cancer Issues 6 part-time employment and dis- work to promote women in the concerned about retaining Member in the Spotlight 6 cussed the benefits for both legal legal field and their support of women attorneys. WWL looks Volunteer Opportunities 6 employers and lawyers of bal- the Breast Cancer CLEs and legal forward to working with the legal anced hours programs. handbook. community to build on her ideas Surviving the Sophomore Slump 7 The Annual Dinner was just Carla Lee was named State to improve the professional lives as inspiring. Women and men Board Member of the Year for of women lawyers in our state.”

Governor Gregoire Appoints Judge Debra Stephens of Spokane to Washington State Supreme Court

WWL Mission Statement By Marcia Meade, WWL Judicial Affairs VP pointment, Judge Stephens stated, “I’m humbled when I look at what this The principal purposes of Stating that that Washington’s Supreme appointment means, not Washington Women Lawyers Court should resemble the population it serves, only to me but this com- are : Gov. Christine Gregoire appointed an Eastern munity.” She contin- Washington native, Judge Debra L. Stephens, to ued, “We have a responsi- • to further the full integra- replace the retiring Justice Bobbe Bridge. bility as lawyers to make tion of women in the legal Currently serving on the Court of Appeals, the legal system accessible. profession, and Division III, Judge Stephens is a Spokane-born, I pledge to listen, to work • to promote equal rights raised, educated, and practicing lawyer. On De- hard and give my best.” and opportunities for cember 4, 2007, with only short notice that the In April 2007, Judge women and to prevent Governor would be making an announcement Stephens was appointed to discrimination against about an appointment, 275 attendees—judges, the Court of Appeals, Division III. WWL evalu- them. local attorneys, faculty and citizens—filled the ated and rated her “exceptionally well quali- Gonzaga University School of Law moot court fied.” Before coming to the bench, Judge room to witness the Spokane announcement of Stephens had a distinguished appellate prac- Judge Stephens’s appointment. With a humble tice. She has briefed and argued before the but commanding presence, in accepting the ap- (Continued on page 3)

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

The year 2008 is almost for the entire legal profession. But it is up targeted at women who are, or are seeking to upon us. It’s been almost to women’s bar associations to provide fo- be, in-house counsel, to share strategies and 140 years since the U.S. cused leadership and a voice for issues im- find common ground. Supreme Court famously portant to women in the profession. • We’re working on a revamped website upheld the denial of Myra It is our charge as Washington Women that will serve as a centerpiece in our efforts Bradwell’s admission to the Lawyers to speak up – not only to track to strengthen our state-wide community. bar on the grounds that as a failures and advocate for changes, but to On our website we’ll be sharing information woman, she was “unfit” for celebrate successes, identify and highlight important to women lawyers – such as re- an occupation outside the domestic sphere. best practices, and build a community that is search, legislative or regulatory proposals, Times have certainly changed, and so I often truly supportive of women lawyers. and events. get asked the question, “Is a women’s bar And indeed, there are successes. association really still necessary?” The an- Women lawyers occupy judicial and political • We will continue to conduct judicial swer to that is easy: Absolutely. Let me tell positions at all levels, up to and including evaluations around the state for candidates you some of the reasons why. the governorship. Four women sit on our for judicial election and appointment, pro- It’s true that women are no longer state’s highest court – come January, those (Continued on page 7) excluded from the legal profession outright. will include two former WWL board mem- We enter law school and gain entry to the bers, Justice Mary Fairhurst and Judge profession in greater numbers than a genera- Debra Stephens. Women are leading the WWL Capitol Chapter Hosts tion ago. However, to quote former Wash- way in law firms, corporate law departments, John McKay ington State Bar Association President Ron law schools, and organizations around the Ward, “Women in this society have broken state. By Lynnda Brown, WWL Capitol through the glass ceiling, but they can still WWL’s goal is to ensure that we con- Chapter VP, Programs bleed to death on the protruding shards of tinue to have these successes to report. This glass.” requires building a supportive community at John McKay, the former US Attorney Look at the numbers: According to a all points along the trajectory of a legal pro- for the Western District 2006 survey by the National Association of fessional’s life. Accordingly, WWL has an of Washington, gave a Women Lawyers, women constitute roughly ambitious agenda, which includes the fol- presentation to the Wash- 47 % of law students. On average, within lowing: ington Women Lawyers’ law firms nationally, women constitute 45% • We will continue to build on the ideas Capitol Chapter on No- of associates; 26% of non-equity partners; shared by our 2007 annual event speaker, vember 15, 2007, at the 16% of equity partners; and just 5% of man- Professor Joan Williams, a national expert Water Street Café in aging partners. Nationally, just over one- who analyzes barriers to retaining women in Olympia. McKay has had third of in-house counsel are women, and the legal profession. We will be working to a varied and impressive approximately 37% of law faculty are arm both women attorneys and legal em- legal career in private and, women. ployers in Washington with concrete solu- most notably, in public service. He has not It doesn’t take a mathematician to see tions and best practices from around the only served our country as a U.S. Attorney the downward trend in numbers as women country that they can implement to make for the Western District of Washington, he get further away from their law school legal employment better adapted to the has also been the president of the Legal graduation. Figuring out why that is, and needs and realities of women’s lives. Services Corporation in Washington, D.C., how to change those numbers, is a challenge • We’ve pledged to create opportunities a non-profit corporation ensuring equal access to justice, and has been on state and Thank You to Our Generous 2007 Annual Event Sponsors! national bar boards promoting access to justice. He presently is a law professor at

Seattle University teaching Constitutional Premiers : Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Garvey Schubert Barer, K&L Law of Terrorism and National Security Gates, Perkins Coie, Starbucks Law, and will lead a new ethics center at the

school. Visionaries : Luvera Law Firm, Barron Smith Daugert PLLC, Carrie M. McKay spoke about his distinguished Coppinger Carter, McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren, PLLC, service as a U.S. Attorney, as well as his Keller Rohrback LLP dismissal, and the ramifications in and for

the Justice Department regarding the firing Colleagues : Lane Powell, Riddell Williams PS, Tousley Brain Stephens of seven U.S. Attorneys, some of which

appears to be as a result of political consid- Friends : Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC, Summit eration. McKay also talked about the re- Law Group, PLLC cent issue in the news about whether water boarding was considered torture.

Page 2 WWL State Reporter

Fewer Women Seeking Law Degrees Nationally and in Washington State

By Grace Ariel Wiener, 3L Seattle University compared with 44.3% in 2006. The Univer- ber of women partners and the problems School of Law, WWL Liaison sity of Washington, however, bucks this firms have in retaining women. 3 However, trend. UW’s law school reports that 66% of the desire of professional women to balance The American Bar Association reports the students in their 2007 entering class are a rigorous career and healthy personal life is that, since 2002, the percentage of women women. In 2006, 56.8% of the overall stu- hardly a recent development, rendering its enrolled in law schools has declined each dent body was female. impact on this national decrease inconclu- year. While women made up 49% of law Various theories exist as to what may be sive. school enrollment five years ago, this year contributing to the dip in women choosing Indeed, it may not be possible to dis- only 46.9% of law school students are to attend law school. Some suggest that a cern beyond conjecture whether the national women. 1 Additionally, according to the Law strong economy from 2004 until recently decline of women attending law schools has School Admissions Council, while both men has prompted people who would otherwise been caused by perceptions about the and women are applying to law schools in have gone to law school to start working strength of the economy, broader career smaller numbers, women are deciding in right after college. In weighing the costs and options, concerns about work-life balance, larger numbers not to apply. Applicants benefits of various career paths, potential or the many other relevant factors not listed among both men and women plunged by law students might be lured by the instant here. Whatever the cause of this decline, it 7.4% for the fall of 2006, the biggest drop gratification of a post-undergrad offer and should further underscore to existing since 1995. However, the drop in female signing bonus in a non-legal career. It may women lawyers the importance of acting as applicants accounted for more of this drop: be the case that women in larger numbers supportive mentors to other women who the percentage of men applicants in 2006 are considering the prospect of an immedi- also have chosen this, albeit often challeng- decreased only by 6.7%, while the percent- ate paycheck more attractive than the pros- ing, honorable and rewarding profession. age of women applicants fell by 7.7%. pect of three more years of studying while In Washington State, the percentages of racking up loan debt. 1See www.abanet.org/legaled/statistics/ women enrolled at law schools in Washing- Still other observers view the decline in charts/stats%20-%206.pdf. ton also generally reflect this national decline women applicants as a rejection of the 2Current figures are from sources at each of women enrollment. Of the students cur- “lawyer’s life.” These observers suspect that school. Figures for the preceding year rently enrolled at Seattle University School women do not believe that a career in law (2006) are from the 2008 Searchable edition of Law, 49% are women, a drop from 52.8% will offer them the schedule flexibility they of ABA-LSAC Official Guide to ABA- in fall 2006. 2 Gonzaga University School of require to fulfill their home and family re- Approved Law Schools. Law experienced a similar drop, but with sponsibilities. This belief may have been 3See, e.g., Leigh Jones, “Fewer Women Are even lower overall female enrollment: this derived from media attention that law firms Seeking Law Degrees,” The National Law year, only 40% of the students are women, have recently received about the scant num- Journal , Oct. 1, 2007.

Stephens Appointment (Continued from page 1) practicing attorney Hugh Spitzer. Washington State Supreme Court over 100 From this selection of “exceptionally times. Additionally, she has been lead coun- well qualified” candidates, Gov. Gregoire sel in cases before Washington Court of Ap- related that Stephens was selected because WWL WEBSITE VPs peals, Idaho Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit she’s “an absolute legal scholar” who also Gena Bomotti and Court of Appeals and has appeared as coun- knows the importance of making the law Sara Springer Seek sel of record in the United States Supreme meaningful to everyday people. The Gover- Your Input for Court. nor’s Press Release highlights Judge the Website! As reported in the Spokesman Review , Stephens’s multiple legal, education and in appointing Judge Stephens, Gov. Gregoire community activities — which includes ser- Have a voice in the WWL said she repeatedly changed her mind on the vice on the board of WWL — that demon- website! Gena and Sara are appointment, nearly settling on three other strate a solid history of supporting equal excited to incorporate mem- candidates in recent weeks. Washington access to justice. ber suggestions into the Women Lawyers was well aware that Gov. WWL Judicial Evaluation Committee website design and content. Gregoire had a number of quality candidates (JEC) is pleased that WWL was able to pro- Contact Gena Bomotti or from which to select. Among others, WWL vide the Governor with nine separate judicial Sara Springer at gmbo- evaluated and rated four other candidates as evaluations to assist with the difficult deci- [email protected] to pass “exceptionally well qualified” for the Su- sion of making an appointment to the Wash- on your ideas. preme Court: Court of Appeals, Division I ington Supreme Court. WWL extends a Judge Mary Kay Becker, King County Supe- heartfelt appreciation to the state JEC, whose rior Court Judge Mary Yu, former Court of members have devoted over 750 hours of Appeals, Division II Judge, and now practic- attorney time to these nine Supreme Court ing appellate attorney Charles Wiggins, and evaluations. Winter 2007 Page 3

Seattle University Honors Alumna Linda Strout with Reah Whitehead Public Leadership Award

By Terra Evans, 1L WLC Seattle University leadership. Seattle University School of Law Alumni This year’s honoree, Linda Strout, has Board. Seattle University School of been the Dep- While introducing this year’s honoree, Law students, alumni, faculty and uty Chief Ex- Dean Testy spoke about the outstanding staff gathered on October 30th at ecutive Officer contributions that women have made to the the Rainier Club to honor alumna of the Port of school and the legal community, and she Linda Strout. This year marks the Seattle since counseled the students present to find role third annual Reah Whitehead 2004. She is a models and mentors to guide them as they Public Leadership Award Break- member of the make their own contributions to the world. fast hosted by the Women’s Law Port’s executive Several on the Women’s Law Caucus board Caucus and the Alumni Office of leadership spoke of their own mentors, and recognized Seattle University. This event team, leading those in the room who had impacted their honors the legacy of Reah White- the Port’s envi- lives. The School of Law’s dedication to head, one of the first women to Linda Strout, Dean Kellye Testy, ronmental and training outstanding leaders for a just and practice law in Washington State and Sara Hixson—Photo Courtesy security strategy humane world was a subtle undercurrent of and one of the first female judges of Seattle University teams. She cur- the morning, reminding us all that we must in the country. The Reah White- rently serves on strive to be leaders in our own lives and head Public Leadership Award is presented several community boards, including the communities, and to live up to the stellar each year to a woman who has shown out- Artist Trust Board of Trustees, Columbia examples set by Reah Whitehead, Linda standing dedication to public service and Legal Services Board of Trustees, and the Strout, and so many others in the room.

BRIEFLY SPEAKING: REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

• WWL’s King County chapter hosted a well-attended Annual Holiday Party on November 6th at Farestart. Thank you to the outgoing board, and congratulations to the new board! • WWL’s Pierce County chapter is pleased and proud to report that it held a very successful auction on October 20 this year. Over 200 were in attendance, and although the final figures have not been calculated, we were able to raise a substantial amount of money for the Pierce County Sexual Assault Center and the YWCA Legal Ser- vices Program for Victims of Domestic Violence. The bidding was fierce! • WWL’s Pierce County chapter hosted its Holiday Spar- kles Party on December 4th, toasting successes of the past year and introducing exciting events for the upcom- Outgoing Board of WWL’s King County Chapter at its Annual Holiday ing year! Party, held November 6 at Farestart. Photo courtesy of Tracy Sarich. • Have you always harbored a secret desire to be a journal- ist? Join WWL’s newsletter editorial and content devel- THANK YOU TO OUR opment committee. Contact Gwen Forrest, WWL’s VP, 2007 ANNUAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS Newsletters, at [email protected]. • UW Law Women's Caucus is seeking nominees for the Meagen Burrows, Darcel Desjardins, Victoria Daniels, annual "Outstanding Advocate for Women" award. Kimberly Dean, Bette Fleischman, Valerie Holder, Holly • WWL’s St. Helen’s chapter is hosting a Happy Hour at Henson, Emily Klockenkemper, Jordan Stephens, Gray's at the Park on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 5:30 PM. Mark your calendars! Grace Wiener, Ashlee Wiese, and Pauline Woodman

♀♀♀ We could not have done it without you!

Page 4 WWL State Reporter

Governmental Affairs Corner

Finding Your By Cynthia Jones, WWL VP Governmental Affairs

Moral Compass: Earlier this year, Washington Women Lawyers “Mentoring sent a letter to the Washington State Board of Phar- Circles” to Help macy, which was considering new rules regulating Women Lawyers pharmacists’ ability to refuse to dispense medication Achieve based on their own personal and moral beliefs. WWL supported the position of the Washington Leadership Goals State Human Rights Commission, which advocated that the rules require pharmacies to dispense lawful prescriptions, without discrimination and without delay. By Gwen Marie Forrest, WWL Newsletter VP The update : In April, the Pharmacy Board adopted the position urged by WWL and other Dr. Susan Secker is inspiring women women’s advocates. The rules, adopted after a lengthy public rule-making process, across the state. A retired provost of Se- require pharmacies to ensure that patients always have access to their lawful medica- attle University, Dr. Secker is a consultant tions and that patients not be denied their medications based on individual pharmacists’ in leadership development and has held personal feelings or moral objections to the medication or patient. But the day the new positions that included responsibilities for rules went into effect in July 2007, a pharmacy and two pharmacists filed suit to enjoin strategic planning, team building, diversi- enforcement of the rules, claiming the rules infringed on their First Amendment reli- fying the workforce, and cultivating lead- gious free exercise rights. ership. In September, a federal court allowed seven concerned citizens from across the Recently, Dr. Secker spoke at WWL’s state to join the lawsuit, Storman’s, et al. v. Selecky, et al. , in order to defend the rules. The Annual CLE about finding and maintain- interveners in the suit include a doctor, an HIV patient and several other women with ing your moral compass. By the term an interest in using emergency contraception known as Plan B. They are jointly repre- “discovering a moral compass,” Dr. sented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, the Northwest Women’s Secker is asking what a person’s core Law Center, Planned Parenthood of Western Washington and the law firm Heller Ehr- values are, and what grounds that person’s man. life and gives it direction and meaning. In November, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. One of Dr. Secker’s latest projects, In doing so, the court rejected the Pharmacy Board’s stated purpose of ensuring that all leadership mentoring circles for women patients receive access to their medications, finding not only that lack of access was not lawyers, is about to take off. Through a compelling state interest, but also that preventing discrimination on the basis of gen- these leadership circles for women law- der was, in this case, not a compelling state interest. The defendant-intervenors filed a yers, Dr. Secker hopes to help women notice of appeal of that decision to the 9th Circuit in December. lawyers’ careers grow, to help women lawyers achieve balance in work and life, and to help women lawyers empower MAMAS Takes Off Promoting Mother Attorneys themselves. These circles aim to help women law- By Rachel S. Black, MAMAS President and Co-Founder yers understand personal and professional communication styles, and how to create This fall, the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle (MAMAS) cele- opportunities for themselves. The circles brated its first year. Only one year ago, starting an organization devoted to mother are also designed to address challenges attorneys was merely an idea in my head. In a very short time, MAMAS has grown that face women lawyers as they work from an idea to an organization with over 300 members, who collectively have over 500 with employers, colleagues, and clients. children. This past year alone, our members have given birth to over 55 children! Finally, the circles are meant to help The rapid growth of MAMAS is not surprising. With half of law school graduates women design their world and to assume being women, it has become increasingly important to pay attention to the needs of responsibility in order to empower them- attorney mothers. MAMAS aims to accomplish just that. It has become a source of selves and support other women. inspiration and support for a population of women who are struggling to find balance Women can sign up for a circle, or or- between a successful professional career ganize their own circles of no more than and a fulfilling family life. Equally important, it has become a foothold for those 12; contact Dr. Secker at women who are seeking to re-enter the profession after taking time away for family [email protected] or 206.937.2483 reasons, and for those women who are doing everything they can to remain in the pro- for information. fession despite sometimes overwhelming family demands. MAMAS has also become a voice to support the promotion of mother attorneys within the profession so more

(Continued on page 6)

Winter 2007 Page 5

Spokane Chapter Highlights Cancer Patients’ Legal MAMAS Takes Off Issues, Provides Valuable Information (Continued from page 5) By Carlin Jude, WWL Spokane Chapter for the service its Breast Cancer Legal women become law firm partners, general Resources Guide has provided to the counsel, judges, or advance to other positions The Spokane Chapter of Washing- community. The advance publicity of of stature. ton Women Lawyers offered a CLE the CLE included a detailed article in MAMAS has provided hundreds of women seminar on cancer patients' legal issues the Spokesman-Review newspaper, which networking opportunities.. These events give October 11, 2007 at the Gonzaga Uni- included the access information for the mother attorneys a chance to network, social- versity School of Law. The chapter guide. Avista Corporation donated the ize, and support each other while their children event was presented with the coopera- printing of so that every person who play. Hearing the stories of the many women tion of the American Cancer Society and attended received a copy, as did the law who are successfully overcoming the same Cancer Patient Care, who shared pro- school library. The remaining manuals challenges that I face as a mother attorney has ceeds. The law school, Women's Law are being distributed without charge by been invaluable. Together, we have spoken Caucus, and the Health Law group all Spokane Regional Health District. freely about these challenges in the supportive assisted in organizing and attendance at At the conclusion of the event, environment that MAMAS has provided, while the event. The seminar was open to the attendees concluded that the information celebrating our roles as mothers and attorneys. public without charge. was valuable and made inquiries about Additionally, through the MAMAS listserv and The schedule included presentations whether a similar seminar would be of- its monthly brown bag lunches, MAMAS has by Eric Steven on landlord-tenant issues; fered again. Some felt that now that they served the mother attorney community by Christine Weaver on employment issues; knew what it was about, attendance tackling a variety of topics of particular interest Karen Sayre on estate planning and eth- would be even higher if WWL does it to attorney mothers. ics; an excellent panel of survivors; and a again. It was great to be able to tie our panel of professionals involved in pro- chapter activity into this state-wide ef- viding resources for cancer patients. fort! WWL has received excellent coverage Member in the Spotlight: FEATURED VOLUNTEER Victoria Vreeland OPPORTUNITIES

Victoria Vreeland, a part- Law in 1976. She was the first honors • The Rural Development Institute (RDI) ner at Gordon Thomas intern in the U.S. Department of Justice works to provide women access to land Honeywell Malanca Peter- from Washington State and served as an rights, which empowers women, alleviates son & Daheim LLP, was recently hon- assistant attorney general for the State of poverty, and improves communities. RDI ored by the Gonzaga University Washington and as chief counsel for the is seeking Table Captains for its Interna- Women’s Law Caucus with the Myra crime victims’ compensation section. tional Women’s Day event. Contact rad- Bradwell Award in May 2007. She joins Last year, she was honored as WSTLA's [email protected] for more information. other past recipients of the Bradwell 2007 Trial Lawyer of the Year • Serve on WWL’s Judicial Evaluations Award, including Governor Christine She became a partner at Gordon Committee and make a difference in the Gregoire and Supreme Court Justices Thomas Honeywell in 1985 in its Seattle judicial choices of Washington State: Barbara Madsen and Mary Fairhurst. office, is an annual recipient of the -Participate in exclusive meetings with The Myra Bradwell Award honors a Washington Law and Politics “Super judicial candidates Gonzaga graduate who has advanced Lawyer” award, and has been recognized -Investigate and report on lawyers’ and the causes of women in both her prac- multiple times as one of Washington non-lawyers’ experiences about the tice and community. Gonzaga recog- State’s “Top 50 Women Lawyers.” candidates nized Vreeland for her many contribu- Jemima McCullum, Co-President of -Provide important input into what tions in the law including her service as WWL’s Pierce County chapter, noted, "I rating WWL will issue the first woman law clerk for the Wash- am honored and proud to be a partner ington Court of Appeals, Division III, with Vicki Vreeland at Gordon Thomas Please contact [email protected] with the her work as a litigator giving voice to Honeywell. She has not only changed subject line “Judicial Evaluations Com victims of sexual assault, harassment and the lives of her clients who are victims mittee.” employment discrimination, and her of sexual harassment, sexual assault and dedication as a pioneer and role model employment discrimination, but also * Note : You must have a minimum of 4 for women trial lawyers – a once male- changed stereotypes in the legal field. years of practice to serve on this committee. dominated arena. Ms. Vreeland is the Vicki truly is an inspirational woman, a WWL seeks diversity of all types on this first attorney in private practice to re- pioneer, leader and role model for other committee, including race, ethnic, sexual ceive the award. Ms. Vreeland gradu- female attorneys in trial practice.” orientation, geographic, and practice area. ated from Gonzaga University School of Page 6 WWL State Reporter Member Perspective : Surviving the Sophomore Slump

By Sara Amies, WWL King County Chapter think about my client’s legal problems do a job that sometimes Co-VP for CLEs with a fresh perspective. demands superhuman Second Lesson : Check my ego at the strength, I rely on a net- Several months ago, I came down with door . Cases are won or lost on their work of sympathetic col- a bad case of LJS, Low Job Satisfaction. I facts; my brilliant legal analysis will always leagues and mentors who could have reported the following be a distant second. Another friend told will help me become a symptoms to my doctor: an over- me that she has stopped worrying about third-year lawyer. whelming sense of responsibility for appearing foolish and instead, asks honest I think I know now why so many job postings my clients’ problems, fear of looking questions. The simplest solution strikes for lawyers ask for a minimum of two years’ ex- like an idiot, continual dread that I again. She reminded me that everyone perience. The ads might as well say, “post-slump was messing up my clients’ cases be- already knows that I’m a new lawyer be- only need apply.” cause I lacked knowledge of proce- cause I have a high bar number. When Sara Amies practices employment law in Seattle with dural rules, and feeling like a therapist confronted with procedures unfamiliar to Teller & Associates, PLLC. instead of a lawyer . I was starting to her, she asks for clarification. Judges are flinch whenever the phone rang. often helpful when she is frank about her I also felt naïvely shocked at the ob- experience: they don’t want to penal- President’s Letter streperousness and nerve I saw in ize clients for the inadvertent (Continued from page 2) some opposing counsel. Did he errors of newly-hatched coun- viding important information to the community I was spending an really blame his secretary again sel. based on extensive reference checks and analy- unhealthy amount for missing that deadline? Third Lesson : Be- sis of specified criteria. Does she really believe that of time fantasizing come one with the Rules • We’ll continue to work with minority and this case says what she’s telling about becoming a of Procedure . I’m fairly specialty bars to ensure that women’s me it says? Are personal at- postal carrier (no confident I could independ- voices are not left out of diversity discus- tacks against me and my client one bothers you ently note a motion with the sions – and also that WWL itself remains really the best defense my op- and you get lots of correct number of days, etc. diverse in ways other than gender. ponent can mount? exercise) ... . But I hereby solemnly swear I felt trapped in my new ca- to read CR 7 every time I do it. • WWL will identify and showcase volunteer reer. With less than two years of I only needed one federal judge opportunities, both legal and non-legal, that practice under my belt, I was spending saying, “Ms. Amies, if you want to are particularly suited for lawyers and can an unhealthy amount of time fantasizing practice in federal court, you need to provide career-building opportunities or about becoming a postal carrier (no one know the rules,” for me to realize that opportunities for attorneys in their “second bothers you and you get lots of exercise) becoming one with the Rules of Proce- season of service.” or a flower seller at the Pike Place Market dure is the zen of trial practice. These are some of the things that WWL (surrounded by beauty and people buying Fourth Lesson : Practice the art of hopes to do for its members. flowers are happy). I shared this with a client management . In the course of So … come join us! Your membership friend from law school. She laughed and representing clients, I learn a great deal dues will go toward helping to support our in- said that she was thinking of burning her about their lives and their struggles. They frastructure so we can provide these services bar card and becoming a baker. often need to talk to someone, and since state-wide. (See our website – www.wwl.org – Once I started talking to colleagues, I we’re already discussing their issues and for the form and details.) learned yet another thing they don’t teach I’m on contingency, it’s a short step for you in law school: My symptoms were them to see me as a free therapist. That How can YOU help build a strong, suppor- classic signs of the sophomore slump . doesn’t work. The road to burn-out is Realizing that it’s a stage helped me to get littered with the bodies of lawyers who tive community that is welcoming to through it. I started to compile a list of overburdened themselves with their cli- women in the legal profession ? my colleagues’ words of wisdom and se- ents’ problems. To serve my clients well, crets to survival. they have to respect my time and my role. Inhonorof National Mentoring Month in First Lesson : My client’s problems Our emails and phone calls should be January–committohavelunch,orcoffee,or are not my own problems . To do my succinct, and my clients have to know that adrink,ortakeawalkwithajuniorattorney, best, I have to leave work at the office. my role is limited to advocating for their oralawstudent.Ifyouareajuniorattorney, When I’m obsessing about a case at 2 legal issues. The art of client management oralawstudent–thentakeacollege,high a.m., I write down my thoughts and put is to maintain open communication with- school,ormiddleschoolstudent.Or,invite the list away. I give myself permission to out becoming overly personal. This, for someonewhohasmentoredyou. think about it for five minutes, then try to me, is the hardest lesson of all. I became Payitforward. think about something that will help me a lawyer to help people, but I’m no super- That’soneNewYear’sresolutionweall sleep. Then, when I’m in the office, I can hero. I’m only a second-year lawyer. To shouldbeabletokeep!

Winter 2007 Page 7

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The WWL State Reporter is a publication of Washington Women Lawyers. It is pub- lished quarterly in most years. Please send change of address notices to [email protected] with the word “Member change of address” in the subject line.

WASHINGTON WOMEN LAWYERS STATE BOARD 2007-2008

President Janet Chung Chapter Representatives President-Elect Amy Robinson Capitol Kristen Culbert Secretary Jessica Skelton Pierce Andrea McNeely Treasurer Pat Foster King Beth Terrell, Tracy Sarich Immediate Past-President Joan Tierney Kitsap Karen Klein VP, Newsletter Gwen Marie Forrest Snohomish Melanie Thomas Dane VPs, Website Gena Bomotti, Sara Springer Spokane Holly Brajcich VPs, Diversity Affairs Zabrina Jenkins, Rashelle Whatcom Marie Gallagher Tanner VPs, Events Kristen Culbert, Lynda Jonas Law School Liaisons VPs, Governmental Affairs Cynthia Jones Seattle University Grace Wiener, Lindsay Fisher VPs, Heritage Jennifer Johnson Grant, Kerry University of Washington Elizabeth Mills, Deborah Byrne Keefe Gonzaga University Ilaria Hare Heiderich VP, Judicial Affairs Marcia Meade VPs, Membership Abigail Daquiz, Carla Lee VPs-Professional Development Megan McCloskey, Renea Saade