Open letter to the Board of Governors
1/18/19
We, the undersigned staff of WSBA, are writing to share our concerns with recent events and actions/inactions taken by
the board. Since the public release in December of information relating to allegations of a board member’s misconduct,
many of us are uncomfortable and upset at work and some even question our level of safety and protection in our work
environment.
We have read the news report and the investigation reports and while we know we may not have all the information, it
appears to us that the board has failed to hold itself accountable.
From our perspective, a colleague disclosed an allegation of harassment by a board member and the board’s response to
that disclosure resulted in a process that lacked proper oversight, transparency, and consideration of our colleague’s
safety and well-being. Our colleague’s accusation was subject to an independent investigation. The third-party investigator
found our colleague’s account of events to be credible. Even after receiving this report, the board chose not to remove or
even censure the accused board member. Not only did this board fail to remove or censure the accused, the board
promoted him to the position of treasurer, effectively rewarding the accused with an even more powerful position with
more direct access to staff members.
This board has failed to exhibit courageous leadership. Promoting a board member accused of such behavior to a more
prestigious position without an appropriate process, sends a stark message to staff that we are not valued or respected.
This behavior demonstrates to staff that the board is not interested in holding itself accountable and not concerned with
the many conflicts of interest. This board’s actions have a chilling effect on staff’s willingness to report problematic issues
in the future. Employee morale is low and many of us are struggling to manage the reminders of our past experiences and
the experience of living through this current situation. We should not be subject to such traumatization and
retraumatization at work, particularly from the very body entrusted to champion justice and uphold the ethical practice
of law.
Your processes are inadequate for managing these situations and the board refuses to hold itself accountable and fails to
recognize its own conflicts of interest. The current attempt to shift litigation oversight from the general counsel to the
board gives the impression of self-dealing, protectionism, and an enormous conflict of interest. This board’s lack of
transparency just further evidences the lack of accountability and responsibility.
We ask that you review your policies and create institutionalized systems for properly handling similar situations—
including clear processes for when removal of a governor or volunteer is appropriate. We ask that you create policies that
have clear expectations of behavior and how to proceed when complaints are raised, including the expected recusal of
parties with a conflict of interest. We ask that you hold yourselves accountable for your mismanagement of this process.
We further ask that you revisit this situation with a proper procedure in place.
Signed,
Robin Nussbaum
Dana Barnett
Paige Hardy
Bonnie Sterken
Laura Sanford
Colin Rigley
Dan Crystal
Joy Williams
Kris McCord
Joanne Russell
Barbara Ochota

Devorah Signer Hill
Sherry Lindner
Kalina Spasovska
Noel Brady
Diane Plummer-Cranston
Patrick Mead
Tyler Washington
Jennifer Olegario
Emily Cioc
Ana LaNasa-Selvidge
Paris Eriksen

Michael Paugh
Diana Singleton
Whitney Kleinick
Connor Smith