Page 32 - Pierce County Lawyer - January February 2024

WSBA
BOARD OF
GOVERNOR'S
REPORT
By Todd A. Bloom,
WSBA Board of Governor, 6th District
This is my initial Board of Governors report, following in the stead of Brett Purtzer. To begin with, I would like to devote a few comments to acknowledge Brett’s
outstanding contributions. Over the past few months as I began to engage with WSBA as a Governor-Elect, I began to hear more and more favorable commentary from leadership (President, Past-President, President-Elect, and Treasurer), staff (including the Executive Director) and fellow Governors. Compliments highlighted Brett’s keen insights and his dedication and devotion to the Bar and Bench. As I got to know Brett over the months, I began to see why he rated such compliments. He has an open mind and is an exceptionally articulate and passionate advocate. I am very pleased to have had Brett’s representation as 6th District Governor. Please join
- Study member well-being to align resource commitments and assistance provided to legal professionals;
- Assess technology-related opportunities and threats
to guide WSBA initiatives and reactions to changes in the landscape;
- Legal community inclusion and belonging (Decennial Membership Study to drive planning and support);
- Continue to address small town and rural practice initiatives and drive improvements in this area.
The Decennial Membership Study is currently underway.
The first phase has been completed and the next step will be to form focus groups to gather qualitative data. It is expected that this will provide the Board with actionable information in addressing not only our third strategic priority, but the first, as well.
The Bar Licensure Task Force, established November 20,
2020 by Supreme Court Order 25700-B-649, offered Draft recommendations with respect to Bar licensure and presented same to the Court in October 2023. The WSBA is holding a Listening Session on January 8, 2024 and invites comments
on the Draft recommendations. It is expected the Board of Governors will have considered a statement on the Draft recommendations at its January 2024 meeting. I encourage you to review the Draft recommendations at the WSBA website and
me in thanking Brett for his service to the Washington State Bar Association and to the legal profession.
As WSBA’s year began, Immediate Past President Dan Clark honored a number of individuals and one organization with the APEX (Acknowledging Professional Excellence) Awards
at the 2023 WSBA President’s Reception. Among the honorees were Hon. Rebecca Glasgow, Chief Judge of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, and Peter Kram of Kram
& Wooster, P.S., both of Tacoma. Congratulations to our local awardees, and I urge our members to consider nominations for recognition with a 2024 APEX Award.
At WSBA’s first meeting of the fiscal year, held at the University of Washington Law School, the Board of Governors adopted 4 strategic priorities:
view the presentation to the Supreme Court archived on TVW.
In my brief tenure thus far, it has been a real pleasure meeting and visiting with Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association legal professionals. I look forward to more opportunities to interact and to get your perspectives and thoughts on issues facing the profession.
Todd A. Bloom is a retired naval officer and sole practitioner. Cmdr. Bloom was elected to a three-year term on the WSBA BOG in 2023.
Black Robe Dispute Resolution Services, PLLC Dispute Resolution with Distinction
Ron Culpepper 253.961.8543 CulpepperR2004@yahoo.com
Tom Felnagle 253.209.0683 TomFelnagle@gmail.com
Brian Tollefson 253.389.0071 BHMTollefson@outlook.com
MediationTacoma.com 6824 South 19th, #328, Tacoma WA 98466
32 PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER | January/February 2024