March 1, 2019

Washington State Bar Association
1325 Fourth Avenue, #600
Seattle, WA 98101-2539
Bonnie Sterken
Dana Barnett
Kalina Spasovska
Gabriel Moore
Russell Johnson
Kris McCord
Colin Rigley
Dianne Plummer-Cranston
Noel Brady
Sherry Linder
Re:

Paige Hardy
Robin Nussbaum
Michael Paugh
Jennifer Olegario
Pam Inglesby
Tyler Washington
Joy Williams
Patrick Mead
Margaret Shane

Laura Sanford
Paris Eriksen
Ana LaNasa-Selvidge
Barbara Ochota
Joanne Russell
Emily Cioc
Connor Smith
Diana Singleton
Jim Hanneman

Allegations of hostile work environment and lack of anti-harassment policies

Dear WSBA Staff:
Thank you for your letter dated January 23, 2019, which included a copy of your January
18, 2019 letter to the Board of Governors. Your letter set forth staff concerns about how a sexual
harassment complaint was handled, the lack of clear anti-harassment policies, and the lack of a
clear process for reviewing this type of complaint.
On February 27, 2019, the justices met to discuss your letter and other WSBA matters. By
a unanimous vote, the court is directing an investigation of the allegations of a hostile work
environment at the Washington State Bar Association. The court will select an independent
investigator, and it is our intent that the investigation will start soon.

 WSBA Staff
March 1, 2019
-2-

I note that the list of staff on each letter is not identical. This letter is addressed to only
those staff whose name is included on the January 23, 2019 letter to the court. Of course, you can
share this letter with other staff members.
Very truly yours,

MARY E. FAIRHURST
Chief Justice
cc:

Justices
Bill Pickett, WSBA President
Paula Littlewood, WSBA Executive Director
Board of Governors
Julie Shankland, WSBA General Counsel