SCBA News

  • 04/23/2020 4:38 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Would you like to earn $1000?

    As many of you know, the Skagit Volunteer Lawyer Program is recruiting a Program Manager. Attached is the job description.

    How can you help? Please network with your attorney friends and help us find a good candidate for the position.

    SCBA's Executive Committee has approved to pay a finder’s fee of $1,000.00 to any SCBA attorney who refers us a candidate that is hired and is employed for three months in the position.

    Now that we are all working from home and checking in with our friends, family and colleagues this would be a great time to brainstorm who would be a great fit for this position and refer them to us for an interview.

    VLP Manager.pdf

  • 04/17/2020 10:27 AM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Good morning, everyone,

    Attached is a document outlining the schedule for District Court once the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is rescinded or modified.  Please bear in mind that this plan could change based on directives from either the Governor or our state Supreme Court which are inconsistent with this schedule.

    I would like to thank all of the county personnel who have helped with every request we have made to protect the health of our court staff, attorneys, and litigants, particularly Public Health, Human Resources, Sheriff, Jail staff, Facilities, and Emergency Management.  A special thank you to our County Commissioners, who have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of District Court, and to Judge Svaren for his guidance during this extraordinary time. 

    I’d also like to thank everyone for their continuing cooperation and positive spirit as we navigate uncharted waters.

    Judge Dianne Goddard

    SCHEDULING UPON END OF STAY HOME ORDER.docx

  • 04/10/2020 10:40 AM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    In response to the current coronavirus restrictions, Skagit Volunteer Lawyer Program (a collaboration between the Skagit County Bar Association and Community Action of Skagit County) has shifted gears and is now taking referrals through the Northwest Justice Project’s C.L.E.A.R. hotline for a Virtual Legal Clinic to be held every Thursday afternoon from 1:00pm to 4:00pm (or by arrangement, on a case by case basis). The Clinic will consist of phone consultations only, and will be limited to advising and counseling clients unless the assigned attorney elects to provide additional services.

    If you would like to help, please email Hollie Del Vecchio at holliedv@communityactionskagit.org. (Please include a list of practice areas in which you are interested in advising clients.)

    Also take note that all in-person clinics have been cancelled until further notice. If you have volunteered for one of these clinics, please consider participating in the Virtual Legal Clinics instead. Mentoring may also be available, if you are interested in using this time to learn a new practice area!

    Thank you in advance for any help you can provide during this unprecedented time, where clients’ need for legal services has skyrocketed at the same time that our ability to provide those services is hindered. We are excited about this new virtual structure, and are also exploring options to expand them to include teleconference options as the coronavirus situation subsided. So stay tuned!

  • 04/08/2020 7:32 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    To SCBA members,

    Since the Stay at Home directive will be with us until at least May 4, Skagit County Superior Court has adopted a new Emergency Order that provides for a greater access to the Court. A copy is attached. Specifically, please refer to the provisions of Paragraph 4 allowing hearings on non-critical matters. I know we are all looking forward to the day when access to the Courts will not be so limited.

    David Svaren, Presiding Judge

    Superior Court Emergency Order No. 5.pdf


  • 03/25/2020 2:49 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Please see attached Emergency Order

    Superior Court Emergency Order No.4.pdf

  • 03/23/2020 6:42 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Please see attached emergency order from Skagit County Superior Court, which supersedes the prior emergency orders issued by the Court.

    Superior Court Emergency Order No. 3.pdf

  • 03/20/2020 4:31 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Please see attached Emergency Order for Skagit County District Court and the local Municipal Courts

    Administrative Order 20-3.pdf

  • 03/19/2020 4:51 PM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    To the members of SCBA and any attorneys practicing in Skagit County Superior Court:

    In a very brief window of time, the entire State of Washington has had to adjust to being the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States. I can think of other forms of notoriety I would prefer. As matters have rapidly progressed, our grocery stores have been inundated by hordes of concerned people who seek to obtain supplies to see them through and our restaurants, bars, recreational facilities, and meeting places have been shuttered and our schools have been closed. The Courts have remained open.

    The emergency conditions have caused extreme changes in our operations. Our earlier Orders have now been superceded by the Supreme Court’s Order (see attached). Barring emergent Civil matters and In Custody criminal matters, this Order leaves us a very narrow swath of cases we can hear. I expect to revise Skagit County Superior Court’s Order to reflect the terms of the Supreme Court’s Order and to give clarity on what we still can hear and how we will hear it. We will be in touch as soon as we can be with the new changes. In any event, all Emergency Orders are posted on our website.

    The Judges and Superior Court Staff appreciate the understanding and cooperation the Skagit County Bar has shown in this Emergency.

    David Svaren, Presiding Judge

    Supreme Court Emergency Order re CV19 031820.pdf

  • 03/13/2020 11:58 AM | Luigi Colombo (Administrator)

    Unfortunately, due to the current lack of staffing and volunteers in the Volunteer Lawyer Program, the Housing Justice Project will be temporarily suspended through April 24.

    We will be sending a call out to all members to assist in the recruitment of a Program Manager candidate. We will be offering a $1,000 finder’s fee to anyone who finds a candidate who fills the position beyond three months.

    Additionally, we need volunteers to assist with the HJP when it opens up again on May 1. Please let us know if you are available.

    Additionally, we are monitoring whether or not the Law Day Clinic should continue as scheduled. We will know more in the week to come and will update everyone at that time.

Skagit County Bar Association
PO Box 57, Mount Vernon WA 98273

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