M. Margaret McKeown Federal Bar Association upcoming events

Challenging Detention: An Immigration Habeas Bootcamp (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Presented by the M. Margaret McKeown Federal Bar Association (M3-FBA) and Washington Immigrant Defense Network (WIDEN)

Join us for a hands-on immigration habeas training for attorneys admitted in the Western District of Washington.

This program provides a comprehensive introduction to immigration habeas practice. Participants will examine common claims raised in immigration habeas petitions, such as wrongful mandatory detention, prolonged detention without a bond hearing, and wrongful removal/third country removal. The program includes a hands-on workshop where attendees will draft and prepare a complete habeas petition using a mock client scenario.

Attendees who complete this training will have the opportunity to sign up to volunteer as pro bono attorneys with M3-FBA, taking on habeas cases of the type discussed in the program. Additional information and resources on the volunteer program will be provided at the training.

In-Person:
Seattle University Law School
901 12th Ave Sullivan Hall - Room 110
Seattle, WA 98122

Remote:
After your registration is complete, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing the Zoom link.

CLE:
4.0 Law & Legal CLE credits have been applied for with WSBA

Speakers:
Adam Boyd, Gibbs Houston Pauw
Brian S. Green, Law Office of Brian Green, PLLC
Kelly Vomacka, Gibbs Houston Pauw

2026 POWER Act CLE (09/15/2026)

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Registration is being taken by the court.
Register Here

Tips and Trends in Civil Mediation (09/18/2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

The panel will discuss tips for a successful mediation, including the importance of preparation, having a plan, negotiation strategy, tactical empathy, curiosity, effective mediation submissions, and brackets. The panel will also discuss trends in mediation, including the benefits and drawbacks of remote Zoom mediations, mediator proposals, class action mediations, and areas of law seeing a proliferation of cases.

Speakers:
Marc Cote, Cote Law & Mediation PLLC
Judge John P. Erlick, (Ret.) JdR LLC
Matt Turetsky, Matt Turetsky Mediation & Arbitration

CLE Program: 2pm-3pm
Reception: 3pm-4pm

1.0 CLE will be applied for in Washington

Venue:
U.S. District Courthouse
700 Stewart St, Seattle

This program will be available in person only.

The Role of Bankruptcy and Magistrate Judges and How They Interact with State Courts (09/23/2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Advanced registration is not required. You may register at the door when you arrive at the program.

Bankruptcy Seminar for Law Students (10/01/2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

We invite Washington law students to join us for a free, half-day seminar exploring federal bankruptcy practice, featuring panels of experienced practitioners and sitting U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges from the Western District of Washington. The program will cover key aspects of bankruptcy law from consumer and commercial matters to case administration and litigation, and will offer practical guidance on building a career in the field. The seminar will be followed by a networking reception open to all attendees and speakers.

In-Person participation is required for University of Washington and Seattle University Law School students.

Remote participation is available only to Gonzaga Law School students.

Schedule:
Seminar: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Reception: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Cost:
There is no cost to attend.

AGENDA

Introductory Panel

Mallory Satre, Snell & Wilmer
Shane Creason, Bush Kornfeld LLP
Alexandra Yerigan Funk, Ryan Swanson Cleveland PLLC
David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

The panel will deliver an overview of general case administration including both debtor-side and creditor-side issues, trustee/estate roles, litigation matters, and transactional matters. They will also discuss helpful law school courses to take for those interested in federal bankruptcy practice as well as clinics, externships, clerkships, and other avenues for gaining experience.

Consumer Panel

Darren R. Krattli , Eisenhower Carlson PLLC
Angela Neeleman, Neeleman Law Group
Samuel Dart, Hunnex & Shoemaker
David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

Commercial Panel

Jason Wax, Bush Kornfeld LLP
Aimee S. Willig Bush Kornfeld LLP
Todd Brannon, Ballard Spahr
David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

Judges Panel

Hon. Chief Judge Christopher M. Alston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
Hon. Judge Timothy W. Dore, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
Hon. Judge Mary Jo Heston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

The judges will discuss their personal road to the bench, what a typical day in federal bankruptcy court looks like, what are common cases they see, and what separates effective advocates from ineffective ones.

A networking reception will take place immediately following the program for all attendees and speakers.

A Conversation with Stephen Vladeck (10/29/2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Registration for this event is being taken by Washington ABOTA.
Register at https://wa-abota.org/event-6686229

Winter CLE (12/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Annual Dinner (12/09/2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 01:00:00 GMT