WSBA ADR’s Year in Review 2020

The Washington State Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (WSBA ADR) promotes alternative dispute resolution processes in Washington. ADR processes include mediation and arbitration. The Section promotes these by connecting ADR professionals with useful resources, including educational presentations and conferences, keeping them up to date with developments in the space, and providing forums to engage in professional discussions. The Section also educates the public on ADR processes and addresses emerging industry issues at the state level.

In its most recent full year in review, 2020, WSBA ADR remained steadfast in its mission to promote the use of ADR processes. It made several accomplishments that year that benefited members of the public and the legal profession.

For the public, the Section led efforts to develop Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) tools specifically to help people caught in family, housing, and workplace-related conflicts. The COVID-19 pandemic strained many domestic and workplace relationships. It also burdened landlord-tenant relationships, causing several legal disputes. WSBA ADR helped develop ODR tools so differing parties could meet virtually and resolve their conflicts. To prevent evictions and homelessness, the Section gave presentations on the residential and commercial eviction moratorium.

For the legal profession, the Section worked with WSBA leadership to organize workshops where attorneys received training on videoconferencing tools and guidance on the confidentiality and ethical issues emanating from online practice. When attendance at these workshops grew, the Section launched free online best practice forums where attorneys shared solutions for navigating digital practice. The Section hosted these best practice forums monthly in association with legal organizations from California and British Columbia.

Noticing the engagement these initiatives were generating, the WSBA CLE team reached out to the Section to create a Legal Lunchbox program to discuss ODR and the future of the legal practice. More than 2,000 WSBA members registered in advance for the program, which was held on June 30, 2020.

Looking inward, WSBA ADR committees drafted and/or reviewed two legislative bills, produced three mini-CLE programs, and hosted two forums in 2020. The Section also undertook a survey on its membership to guide its actions in 2021.

Going forward, WSBA ADR stated in its 2020 annual report that it was interested in working with a diversity specialist to expand its membership outside King County. As of 31 Dec. 2020, the Section had 336 members. Of these, 65.18 percent were from King County, 10.42 percent were from Northern Washington, 10.12 percent from Peninsula & Southern Washington, and 8.63 percent from Central and Eastern Washington.

WSBA ADR also stated it was taking measures to increase the number of young lawyers in its membership. As of December 2020, only 5.36 percent of its members were young lawyers. The Section reported partnering with law schools to organize mediation training and other events to get more young lawyers joining its ranks.

Beyond diversity, WSBA ADR stated it would enhance the usefulness of its website, collaborate more with other sections of WSBA and Minority Bar Sections, monitor the legislative landscape in ADR, and contribute to lawmaking processes. It also expressed an intention to partner with regional ADR programs to deliver CLE programs aligned with its members’ preferences.