On Oct. 24, Seattle King County REALTORS® will once again convene the Battle of the Barristers in person at the Meydenbauer Center. Five prominent real estate attorneys will debate the merits of various legal dilemmas, drawing 600 real estate professionals and raising funds for the Seattle First Citizen Scholarship Foundation.
Since 1997, Seattle King County REALTORS® has awarded 335 scholarships totaling $611,000 through the foundation, a separate 501(c)3 established with the help of local philanthropist Stanley O. McNaughton. Scholarships are awarded to REALTORS® and their family members who display a spirit of community service. Last year’s top award, the Margo Wheeler Memorial Scholarship, went to Mathida Ngamsiripol, a graduate student studying public health. Read more at nwrealtor.com/scholarships.
The Battle of the Barristers has been the foundation’s primary fundraising event since 1999. What started as a 90-minute networking event has blossomed into a three-clock-hour educational opportunity, promoting understanding of real estate law to reduce the legal liability of real estate brokers and protect the interest of consumers in real estate transactions.
Mike Spence, attorney and partner at Helsell Fetterman LLP and licensed clock-hour instructor, serves as the event’s moderator. He writes various scenarios, based on actual litigation, which are debated by four other real estate attorneys. Topics are wide ranging and cover some of the most vexing issues confronting today’s real estate professionals, including in-house transactions, encroachments, lease-backs, inspections, proof of funds, earnest money disputes and disclosures.
Attorneys who will be sparring on Oct. 24 are Annie Fitzsimmons, Washington REALTORS® Legal Hotline lawyer; Lars Neste, shareholder, Demco Law Firm, P.S.; Christopher Osborn, partner, Stoel Rives LLP and general counsel for Northwest Multiple Listing Service; and Erin Varriano, general counsel at John L. Scott Real Estate.
The dual incentive of clock hours and fundraising have helped earn Battle of the Barristers the distinction of being one of the most highly valued services from Seattle King County REALTORS®.
The bell for the first round of lively legal discussions at the Battle of the Barristers rings at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. Participants can earn three clock hours (pending course approval) and may register as individuals or as tables of 10. Special pricing is available to REALTOR® members. Get tickets to the event at qrco.de/battleofthebarristers or find it on the calendar at nwrealtor.com.
Russ Hokanson has served as CEO at Seattle King County REALTORS® since 2006. He is a REALTOR Association Certified Executive (RCE).