About Membership

The goals of the Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington include advancing the well-being, interests, education, and professional growth of lawyers engaged in federal law practice.  All practitioners interested in the federal courts within our District are welcome to join our membership - whether you are a seasoned practitioner before the federal bench or a practitioner looking to get involved in federal practice for the first time. 

The Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington is a non-profit and independent bar association, not directly affiliated with the National Federal Bar Association.  Our focus is on improving procedures and practice in our District and in facilitating our own continuing education programming.

Membership in the Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington is updated on an annual basis.  The normal renewal/joining cycle for the association is in August and September each year, prior to our annual CLE.  Your $90.00 Annual Membership includes admission to our Annual CLE event, held in Spokane or Yakima, depending on domicile of the then-president. This CLE typically provides 6 - 6.5 credit hours, typically including 1 ethics credit. The association also works to co-sponsor other CLE events throughout the District to meet the needs of our members.

To become a member outside of our normal registration period, please send a check for $90.00 made payable to the Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington, along with your name and WSBA Bar # to Paine Hamblen, c/o Paul Stewart, 717 W. Sprague Ave. Suite 1200 Spokane, WA 99201-3505.

Benefits of Joining the FBA of the Eastern District of Washington

• Networking and Leadership - The members of our association enjoy sharing membership with seasoned practitioners and newer members seeking advice or mentoring.

• CLE Events - Members get admission to the Annual CLE as a part of their annual membership dues. The association also periodically partners with other bar associations to coordinate other continuing education opportunities related to the federal practice.  

• Service Opportunities - The Federal Bar Association is tasked with coordinating a civil pro bono panel that provides the opportunity for practitioners to gain valuable experience in our federal courts while offering incredibly valuable services to self-represented litigants for whom the assigned federal judge has identified a legal issue or issues that the judge believes would warrant having licensed legal counsel involved. 

  The Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington is working on a plan to provide volunteers who take these assignments both malpractice coverage and CLE credits by partnering with a Qualified Legal Services Organization, in addition to the ability to recover certain costs incurred in the cases assigned.  If you are interested in participating as a member of the civil pro bono panel, please let one of our board members know.