APR 16
                               Mediation Program


(a)  Policy. It is the policy of the Supreme Court to encourage through a
     conciliatory process the informal and prompt resolution of disputes
     between lawyers and their clients, disputes between lawyers and other
     lawyers, and other disputes, including disputes between lawyers and
     other professionals regarding expert witness fees.

(b)  Mediation Program. The Washington State Bar Association is authorized
     to maintain and administer a Mediation Program for the resolution of
     disputes voluntarily submitted by the parties, or referred by the
     Office of Disciplinary Counsel, when mediation appears appropriate,
     and to be governed by such guidelines as may be adopted by the Bar
     Association's Board of Governors and approved by the Supreme Court.

(c)  Confidentiality. Mediation under this rule shall be confidential, and
     communications made or materials submitted in, or in connection with,
     the mediation proceeding will be privileged and confidential as
     provided by RCW 5.60.070, provided that no party to the mediation
     will be precluded from filing or pursuing a grievance under the Rules
     for Enforcement of Lawyer Conduct.

(d)  Selection and Appointment of Mediators. Mediators may be agreed upon
     by the parties or shall be assigned from a list approved by the Board
     of Governors and maintained by the Bar Association of both lawyers
     and non-lawyers with the appropriate training and experience to serve
     effectively in a facilitative role.  Lawyers assigned as mediators
     shall be active members of the Bar Association for at least 7 years.

(e)  Communications to the Association.

     Communications to the Bar Association, Board of Governors, mediator,
     mediation staff, or any other individual acting under authority of
     these rules, are absolutely privileged, and no lawsuit predicated
     thereon may be instituted against any party to a mediation, witness
     or other person providing information.


[Adopted effective September 1, 1999; amended effective October 1, 2002; January 2, 2008.]