Washington Chapter Newsletter
September 2026

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
DAVE COREY
 

Our chapter didn’t take its foot off the gas in August. There is a lot happening.

First, we have established a new partnership with Seattle U’s Moot Court Board, which plans to host a regional moot court competition in November. Our chapter is proud to sponsor that competition. We have also agreed to help recruit members of our chapter to help judge the competition. Look for more recruitment info in next month’s newsletter.

Second, if you don’t already have the Steve Vladeck Fireside Chat on your calendar for the evening of October 29th, mark it down today. You can register here for the event, which is happening at the Rainier Club. Our chapter is proud to co-sponsor this event with the M3 FBA. It will be a fun evening.

Third, our Women of ABOTA Trivia Night is happening the evening of October 7th, also at the Rainier Club (register here). As an impenitent trivia nerd myself, I’m kinda jealous this event is only for the ladies.  Seriously, it should be a fun mentorship event—plan to bring some female colleagues with you!

Finally, you recently saw our email blast announcing our Executive Committee’s recommendation that our chapter support and join a new proposed West ABOTA Region (fact sheet here). Briefly, the idea is to combine the resources of nine western chapters (and now potentially a tenth in Arizona) into a regional organization to help drive programming and networking across the West:

The regional organization would establish its own bylaws and elect its own officers, apart from our extant chapter leadership. Annual regional dues would be $50. Our EC believes there would be many benefits from our chapter participating in the proposed West ABOTA Region:
  • Wider Bench & Bar Network: Regional events connect us with judges and trial lawyers across state lines, expanding referral and professional networks. Sharing talent across chapters is a great way to pool resources and to network with lawyers in our neighboring states.

  • Expanded Programming: We gain access to more offerings from neighboring chapters, plus larger regional programming on the topics that matter most in the West. I hope to see future regional meetings happen in fun Western venues—places like Sun Valley, Jackson Hole, Park City, and Whitefish come to mind. I also hope to see wider participation in MITs, including presenters from other states.

  • Increased Leadership Opportunities: Regions maintain a leadership structure similar to chapters, creating additional opportunities for our members to serve.

But we want to hear from you. Here is a link to an advisory survey. We want to hear your comments—both for and against regional participation.

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY MOOT COURT

The Moot Court Board at Seattle University is looking for volunteers to judge their upcoming Motions contest. If you are able to participate, please contact sbeck@seattleu.edu or MootCourt_JudicialRecruitment@seattleu.edu.

Round 1:
Friday, October 9th  |  5PM - 6:30PM

Round 2:
Friday, October 9th  |  7PM - 8:30PM

UPCOMING EVENTS


October 7th
Women of ABOTA Trivia Night
FREE EVENT!
Washington ABOTA is bringing together women in the legal profession for a night of drinks, food, and serious trivia glory. Bring a colleague who'd make a great future ABOTA member and get ready to test your knowledge, from groundbreaking female Supreme Court justices to Legally Blonde trivia only true fans will nail.

October 29th
Fireside Chat with Steve Vladeck
Join us for a discussion with Stephen Vladeck, a prominent American legal scholar, author, Supreme Court analyst, and law professor. The program will be moderated by Senior District Judge Robert Lasnik, US District Court - Western District of Washington. 

November 5th
Masters In Trial: Lessons from the Most-Watched Courtrooms in America
In-Person Only | Limited Space
In this full-day clinic, trial lawyers will study the most-watched courtrooms in recent American legal history — from Depp v. Heard and the Alex Jones/Sandy Hook trial to the 2026 Afroman "Lemon Pound Cake" defamation verdict — to identify what separates masterful advocacy from costly mistakes. Drawing on two strong examples and two cautionary examples for each of seven trial phases (voir dire, opening statement, direct examination, cross examination of lay witnesses, cross examination of experts, closing argument, and depositions), participants will watch real courtroom footage and hear commentary from experienced trial lawyers on what worked, what failed, and why. Attorneys at every experience level will leave with concrete, immediately applicable techniques for building authentic jury connections, structuring compelling narratives, controlling witnesses under cross, and delivering closing arguments that move juries to act.

November 5th
Annual Awards Dinner
Join us for our annual Awards Dinner where we honor the 2026 Trial Judge of the Year, Trial Lawyer of the Year, and introduce our new members.

2026 SPONSORS

Please join us in thanking the following firms for their support of the Washington Chapter. Their contributions allow us to continue our high level programming and outreach throughout the state.


NOMINATE A NEW MEMBER

Nominees must have a minimum of 7 civil jury trials to verdict or hung jury as lead counsel, and 100 trial points. 

If you know someone who has the required trial experience and has a strong reputation for professionalism and civility, please fill out the Nomination Form and the membership committee will begin the vetting process.

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