The Washington State Bar Association presented Emeritus Professor
of Law William Andersen with the 2006 Frank Homan Award on September 26, 2006.
The award was presented by WSBA President Ellen Conedera Dial to Professor
Andersen for his long-term distinguished service and in
recognition of his extraordinary contributions to administrative law, the justice system, and the
public.
"This award is especially meaningful to me," said Andersen, "coming as it did from a component
of the association which had made historic contributions to administrative
justice in the State of Washington. It serves as a reminder of possibilities for
service that exist, and of the deep appreciation the Bar has for this kind of
collaboration."
In remarks at the ceremony, C. Dean Little, chair of the WSBA Leadership
Council, noted that Andersen was instrumental in the drafting and enactment of
the 1981 law which created the Office of Administrative Hearings. In the years
following, Andersen worked with section members to completely redraft and secure
passage of the 1989 Administrative Procedure Act—a 65 page statute which sets
the framework for administrative procedure in all Washington administrative
agencies. Since that time, Andersen has authored significant legal publications
on Washington administrative law frequently cited by the Washington courts. He
has contributed amicus briefs in several Washington State Supreme Court cases
involving interpretation of the 1989 Act. Last year he published a major
summary of Washington case law since passage of the act. He has been a
highly sought-after and willing participant in continuing legal education
programs for the state’s lawyers and judges and for administrative law judges
locally and nationally.