It makes sense that a candidate would want to brag a bit about their background, after all, they want people to vote for them. But it is also very important that we not be misled.

Amy Walen’s Web site and her postings on Kirkland Views mention her law degree and legal background. While her statements are accurate, I also think that people have been misconstruing it to mean that she will bring legal skills and expertise to the city, and that is not the case. My understanding is that Walen lived in Australia for much of her life, graduated from law school there, and practiced law for about five years, until she left Australia in 1995, at about age 27. She has not practiced law since that time, and has not practiced law in the US. She was instated into the Oregon Bar, which is a worthy accomplishment, but to the best of my knowledge, did not practice law in Oregon. She currently holds inactive status with the Oregon Bar and has never been admitted to the Washington Bar since her move here in 2005. To reiterate: she has never practiced law in Washington or anywhere in the US, and has not practiced in 15 years. Lacking meaningful legal experience, and with her minimal or non-existent civic activities, Walen falls well short of the qualifications required of a city council member.

Hugh Givens, Kirkland