Family Law Practice Gets a Refresh With New Edition of Washington Family Law Deskbook
Around here we get pretty excited about Washington State Bar Association deskbooks. And we get REALLY excited when a new edition comes out. So you can imagine the giddiness with which the library received the newly released third edition of the Washington Family Law Deskbook.
The release of the third edition was much anticipated, as the second edition of the Deskbook was last updated in 2012. Mary L. Hammerly, Boaz Weintraub, and Cheryll D. Russell, executive editors of the new edition, were tasked with reviewing the work of more than 80 contributors, spending over two years bringing the practice of family law up to date. Of the effort, Weintraub told the Washington State Bar News, “We ran into COVID-related delays, and production schedule deadlines became a bit murky. But I knew we would complete it, and it was a valuable learning experience. I greatly value the time and effort put in by all the authors in the volume I edited and, of course, the two other volumes.”
Spanning three volumes and divided into twelve parts, the Washington Family Law Deskbook, 3d covers topics ranging from managing a family law practice and working with clients, to property and financial considerations, to international family law, and beyond. The third edition has new chapters on limited license legal technicians, family practice in tribal court, family law immigration issues, and trial preparation.
While keeping the usual practice tips, examples, caveats, and comments, some chapters have been expanded to address advances in technology. Cloud storage considerations, privacy concerns surrounding communications between client and attorney, and metadata protection are newly treated in this edition. New laws have required revamping of chapters as well. Examples include the Uniform Parentage Act and the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act.
When asked how she envisions family practitioners will use the new third edition of the Washington Family Law Deskbook, Russell told the Washington State Bar News, “I hope practitioners will use the Deskbook as a jumping-off place to help them direct their research and to focus on the issue being researched. One of the consequences of this pandemic has been the reduced opportunities for practitioners to get together to discuss issues. The Deskbook is really a mentoring resource.”
The Washington Family Law Deskbook, 3d, as well as earlier editions, are available to check out. Contact the reference desk at 360–357–2136 or library.requests@courts.wa.gov to reserve your copy or you can place a hold in our catalog. The Deskbook is also available for check out in eBook form from our LexisNexis Digital Library eBook Collection. Instructions for accessing eBooks can be found in our blog post. (SC)
