Rule GR 12.2 - Washington State Bar Association: Purposes, Authorized Activities, and Prohibited ActivitiesIn the exercise of its inherent and plenary authority to regulate the practice of law in Washington, the Supreme Court authorizes and supervises the Washington State Bar Association's activities. The Washington State Bar Association carries out the administrative responsibilities and functions expressly delegated to it by this rule and other Supreme Court rules and orders enacted or adopted to regulate the practice of law, including the purposes and authorized activities set forth below.
(a) Purposes: In General. In general, the Washington State Bar Association strives to: (1) Promote independence of the judiciary and the legal profession.(2) Promote an effective legal system, accessible to all.(3) Provide services to its members and the public.(4) Foster and maintain high standards of competence, professionalism, and ethics among its members.(5) Foster collegiality among its members and goodwill between the legal profession and the public.(6) Promote diversity and equality in the courts and the legal profession.(7) Administer admission, regulation, and discipline of its members in a manner that protects the public and respects the rights of the applicant or member.(8) Administer programs of legal education.(9) Promote understanding of and respect for our legal system and the law.(10) Operate a well-managed and financially sound association, with a positive work environment for its employees.(11) Serve as a statewide voice to the public and to the branches of government on matters relating to these purposes and the activities of the association and the legal profession.(b) Specific Activities Authorized. In pursuit of these purposes, the Washington State Bar Association may:(1) Sponsor and maintain committees and sections whose activities further these purposes;(2) Support the judiciary in maintaining the integrity and fiscal stability of an independent and effective judicial system;(3) Provide periodic reviews and recommendations concerning court rules and procedures;(4) Administer examinations and review applicants' character and fitness to practice law;(5) Inform and advise its members regarding their ethical obligations;(6) Administer an effective system of discipline of its members, including receiving and investigating complaints of misconduct by legal professionals, taking and recommending appropriate punitive and remedial measures, and diverting less serious misconduct to alternatives outside the formal discipline system;(7) Maintain a program, pursuant to court rule, requiring members to submit fee disputes to arbitration;(8) Maintain a program for mediation of disputes between members and others;(9) Maintain a program for legal professional practice assistance;(10) Sponsor, conduct, and assist in producing programs and products of continuing legal education;(11) Maintain a system for accrediting programs of continuing legal education;(12) Conduct examinations of legal professionals' trust accounts;(13) Maintain a fund for client protection in accordance with the Admission and Practice Rules;(14) Maintain a program for the aid and rehabilitation of impaired members;(15) Disseminate information about the organization's activities, interests, and positions;(16) Monitor, report on, and advise public officials about matters of interest to the organization and the legal profession;(17) Maintain a legislative presence to inform members of new and proposed laws and to inform public officials about the organization's positions and concerns;(18) Encourage public service by members and support programs providing legal services to those in need;(19) Maintain and foster programs of public information and education about the law and the legal system;(20) Provide, sponsor, and participate in services to its members;(21) Hire and retain employees to facilitate and support its mission, purposes, and activities, including in the organization's discretion, authorizing collective bargaining;(22) Establish the amount of all license, application, investigation, and other related fees, as well as charges for services provided by the Washington State Bar Association, and collect, allocate, invest, and disburse funds so that its mission, purposes, and activities may be effectively and efficiently discharged. The amount of any license fee is subject to review by the Supreme Court for reasonableness and may be modified by order of the Court if the Court determines that it is not reasonable;(23) Administer Supreme-Court-created boards in accordance with General Rule 12.3.(c) Activities Not Authorized. The Washington State Bar Association will not: (1) Take positions on issues concerning the politics or social positions of foreign nations;(2) Take positions on political or social issues which do not relate to or affect the practice of law or the administration of justice; or(3) Support or oppose, in an election, candidates for public office.Adopted effective 7/17/1987; Amended effective 12/10/1993;9/1/1997; 9/1/2007; 9/1/2013; 9/1/2017.