WSBA Board approves three statements after heated debate over executive-session secrecy

The Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors on Oct. 12 approved three related measures after an extended public-session debate about whether motions based on material discussed in executive session should be voted on before the full membership can see the text.

Board member Jordan Couch moved to approve Recommendation 1(a), the statement titled "Lawful and Necessary: Affirming the WSBA's Work to Promote the Rule of Law and Diversity in the Profession." After that passed, the board approved Recommendation 1(b) of the WSBA guiding principles and a motion to sign on to the American Bar Association's Rule of Law statement.

The votes followed sustained objections from other board members and public commenters who said approving motions derived from confidential materials undermined transparency. "I think it is not appropriate form to adopt motions based on confidential material that the membership isn't seeing," said Nancy Hawkins. "If that's what you're gonna do, there's you can't have executive session because these meetings are supposed to be public and transparent."

Laurie (role not specified in the record) and other speakers explained the timing constraints. "We are not able to publish the statement that the…