The Washington Appellate Lawyers Association (WALA), formed in 2001, grew out of a potluck “spaghetti feed” attended by over 20 appellate lawyers. Because appellate practice is considerably different from trial practice, the lawyers decided to form an organization to share experiences with others doing similar work throughout the state and to provide input into the appellate process on a more formal basis. Membership was deliberately limited to Washington lawyers with at least 10 years experience who have been lead counsel in at least 25 appeals. This reflected the founders’ intent to form an organization whose members had a reputation for significant experience and expertise in appellate practice. Washington Journal Press Release
WALA’s goals are:
- to foster and encourage improvements in the practice of appellate advocacy;
- to promote reforms in appellate procedure to ensure effective representation of appellate litigants and more efficient administration of justice at the appellate level;
- to work with Bar Associations, the Judiciary, and the Legislature in matters relating to the appellate practice;
- to actively support the integrity of the appellate process and principles of ethical appellate advocacy in the spirit of a free and independent Bar.