Page 5 - Pierce County Lawyer - January February 2024

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
JANUARY/FEBRUARY PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER
By Carlos Sosa
A New Year begins with the usual bevy of fresh starts, resolutions made (and primarily not kept) and other such actions, but no resolutions actual or implied are part of this first issue of 2024, so take a look at what is part of this initial issue of 2024:
[ PG. 7 ] Outgoing TPCBA President Heather Swann acknowledges how quickly time flies (something which I can state only increases as we age) and she then poses the inquiries – Did we matter? Did we make a difference? By the act of taking her position with all the commitment involved and
by performing her duties well without a hitch – I will scrub
in and say, “you did matter and you did make a difference
by being a leader and continuing the fine tradition of leadership established by your predecessors”. President Swann’s valedictory article is a good read. Thanks for all your hard work and time commitment, Heather.
[ PG. 9 ] Executive Director Kit Kasner speaks to all regarding badge renewal or initial requests, and thanks
all the volunteers to the TPCBA. She notes the 116th Annual Lincoln Day Banquet on Friday, February 9, 2024 with hosted social hour starting at 5:30pm at the Tacoma Convention Center. I add my thanks to Kit for her tireless dedication for these many years over and above the duties her job requires, and note her dedication to detail and accuracy – the best Executive Director of any Bar Association in our State
– thanks Kit!
[PG.10]
This edition’s Editorial is written
by Jordan Crouch. It deals with the
nationwide movement toward changing
the bar exam by adding other ways to
be licensed as an attorney that WILL
NOT include taking a multiple choice
exam and essays which do not address
(for the most part) the practical aspects of lawyering. Jordan provides a wonderful review of the proposals and what may end up happening here in Washington.
[ PG. 12 ] The law school professor that I never had but wish I had experienced, John Weaver, writes a pithy and fascinating note about our U.S. Presidents who have argued cases before the United States Supreme Court. The two names that hit me right between the eyes were Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison (both of whom I knew about as a history major) along with the fact that this year we may have an election that has only occurred once before, involving two incumbent Presidents, with the prospect of President Biden and former President Trump being the respective nominees in a two-person race. History aside, this is a great vignette by Professor Weaver.
[PG.17]
Arlene Joe pens a summary about the outstanding work a charitable organization that we all should be supporting, Lawyers Helping Hungry Children, continues to do over many years.
[PG.19]
Hon. Stephanie Arend, Ret. (a big supporter over the years of the aforementioned Lawyers Helping Hungry Children) writes about a quilting group that is about a lot more than just quilts.
[ PG. 20 ] Regular contributor David Shelvey writes a piece about a dreaded IRS issue that is not welcomed by any taxpayer in any line of employment. He gives a cautionary yet scary report on how it affected an attorney friend.
[PG.24]
Nigel Malden amazes again in a follow-
up to his prior deep-sea musings and
the loss of the Titan submersible in 2023
– the lack of follow up on the safety issues
is breathtaking, and possibly the crux of
litigation pending or soon to come. Nigel’s
interpretation and presentation of the issues
involved is superb – the tale is told as if
watching a forensic law enforcement show – don’t miss this latest presentation of Nigel Malden.
[ PG. 30 ] Nichole Fisher provides a different view on the homeless crisis/homeless jurisprudence with a summary of recent caselaw and how we got here.
[ PG. 32 ] Todd Bloom’s Governor’s Report addresses the coming licensure issues. He also congratulates State Bar honorees, including our own Peter Kram.
[ PG. 33 & 34 ] Stephen Seely brings us the latest offerings at the Law Library and Laurie Davenport of Tacomaprobono introduces us to their new Executive Director, Melisa Evangelos, and speaks of their need for volunteer attorneys, as always.
Enjoy the issue and to all, Happy 2024!
January/February 2024 | PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER 5