[WSBARP] LLLT Program has been Discontinued

[msafren at jennylinglaw.com]

Hello Fellow Listservs:

 

I wanted to share an update on the LLLT Program from Carla Higginson, who
represents District 2 on the WSBA's Board of Governors.  Please see Ms.
Higginson's message and the attached letter from the Washington Supreme
Court regarding the LLLT Program. 

 

"Colleagues,

I am on the Board of Governors of the WSBA, representing District 2 (San
Juan, Island, Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish  Counties).  I am very pleased
to pass on to you the State Supreme Court's letter dated today which
discontinues the LLLT program, which is attached.  The letter states in part
that: "The program was an innovative attempt to increase access to legal
services.  However, after careful consideration of the overall costs of
sustaining the program and the small number of interested individuals, a
majority of the court determined that the LLLT program is not an effective
way to meet these needs, and voted to sunset the program."  Note that
existing LLLTs may continue to provide services in the family law arena, and
any individuals "in the pipeline" as of June  4, 2020 are allowed to
complete the requirements for licensing by July 31, 2021.  No new LLLTs will
be admitted thereafter.

The excellent budget analysis over the past several months by WSBA Treasurer
Daniel Clark, following a detailed report to the court last year by prior
WSBA Treasurer Dan Bridges, helped focus the court's attention on the
significant cost to WSBA members since the LLLT program's inception:  $1.4
million to license 44 individuals, of which there are currently 38 in active
practice.  A request from the LLLT Board to spend nearly $1 million more in
member dues over the next 8 years to sustain the program, and to allow LLLTs
to practice in two more areas - "Washington administrative law" and
"eviction and debt assistance,"  was declined by the court. 

The court's action after thorough consideration of this matter is deeply
appreciated by many, and I believe that we in the legal profession will
continue to work together on approaches that promote an effective legal
system, accessible to all.   

Regards,

___________________________

 

Carla J. Higginson, Attorney

Higginson Beyer, P.S. "   

 

 

Warmest regards,

Michael S. Safren, Esq. 
Attorney at Law 

14900 Interurban Ave. S., Ste. 280 | Seattle, WA 98168 
11900 NE 1st St., Bldg. G - Ste. 300 |  Bellevue, WA 98005 
P: (206) 859-5098 | E:  <mailto:msafren at jennylinglaw.com>
msafren at jennylinglaw.com 
 <http://www.jennylinglaw.com> www.jennylinglaw.com |
<http://www.facebook.com/jennylinglaw/> facebook.com/jennylinglaw/ 

 


This communication, including attachments, may contain information that is
confidential and protected by the attorney/client or other privileges. It
constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the
designated recipient(s). If the reader or recipient of this communication is
not the intended recipient, an employee or agent of the intended recipient
who is responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, or you
believe that you have received this communication in error, please notify
the sender immediately by return e-mail and promptly delete this e-mail,
including attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. The
unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this
e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by
anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not a waiver of any
attorney/client or other privilege. 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbarp/attachments/20200607/1ca857f1/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: court's letter to sunset LLLT program 06-05-2020.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 338175 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbarp/attachments/20200607/1ca857f1/courtslettertosunsetLLLTprogram06-05-2020.pdf>