I wrote to Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on the 15th of February about the two associations, one a bar association, the other an association of legal service providers.  Go here . That was on the 15th, I repeat.  Today I received a response; a letter from Jeffrey T. Even, Deputy Solicitor General. My request was rejected.  I have to say, I am surprised.  Here is the letter from Mr. Even, go here.

  How true: It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones.  ― Niccolò Machiavelli

I think the Supreme Court began expanding its power over the Washington State Bar Association of 1913 in 1987 or so when William S. Gates, Sr., in a letter to the Court, wrote about WA General Rule 12.  I also think that at that time the Supreme in GR 12.1(b)22 said: (22) Establish the amount of all license, application, investigation, and other related fees, as well as charges for services provided by the Washington State Bar Association, and collect, allocate, invest, and disburse funds so that its mission, purposes and activities may be effectively and efficiently discharged. The amount of …

The extent to which the Supreme Court thinks it has authority over the Washington State Bar Association is not unrelated to the power the Supreme Court is attempting to exercise over entire state of Washington.  See Eugster Law Office.