The Washington State Minority and Justice Commission reappointed Miller Nash Graham & Dunn partner Jeffrey A. Beaver to a four-year term as a member of the Commission, effective January 1, 2016.
The Washington State Minority and Justice Commission was established in 1990 as a successor to the Minority and Justice Task Force, created by the Court in 1987 at the request of the Washington State Legislature. By order of the Supreme Court on January 6, 2016, the Commission was renewed for an additional five years by unanimous vote of the Court. The Commission operates under the auspices of the Supreme Court of the State of Washington, charged with the mission:
"The purpose of the Minority and Justice Commission is to determine whether racial and ethnic bias exists in the courts of the state of Washington. To the extent that it exists, the Commission is charged with taking creative steps to overcome it. To the extent that such bias does not exist, the Commission is charged with taking creative steps to prevent it."
In creating the Commission and subsequent Orders of Renewal, the Supreme Court acknowledges there is a continuing need to identify and to eradicate the effects of racial, ethnic, and cultural bias in our state court system.
The Commission consists of up to 35 members appointed by the Supreme Court from the bench, bar, court administrators, college and university professors, and tribal courts. The Commission is chaired by Justices Charles Johnson and Mary Yu. Jeffrey has worked with the Commission in various roles since its creation.
For further information, click the link to be directed to web page of the Washington State Minority and Justice Commission.
