Governor At Large (Young Lawyer)
The application deadline for the Governor At Large position was April 15. The WSBA received three applications (see below). These three individuals will be interviewed by the Washington Young Lawyers Committee on Saturday, April 20.
For questions, please email barleaders@wsba.org.
Jordan Couch
I’m running for this position to continue the work I have been doing for the last three years on the Board of Governors and the five years before on the Washington Young Lawyers Committee. Advocating for new and young lawyers is something I have dedicated a substantial portion of my career to and being your BOG liaison has allowed me to continue that work.
During my first term I have done work to promote access to justice; support diversity, equity, and inclusion; and support new and young lawyers. I championed a stronger bar association, more support for new and young lawyers, and alternatives to the bar exam. In my next term I hope to work specifically on measures that will reduce law school costs and new lawyer debt and also expand opportunities for the public to have access to justice while enabling law firms to increase profitability. With this second and last term I hope to continue serving you.
Fabiola Jimenez
As a passionate advocate for empowerment and equity within the legal profession, I am honored to run for the position of Board of Governors Young Lawyer Member At Large Governor in 2024. As the founder of Lawmera, a firm dedicated to empowering the Latino community and nurturing the growth of young attorneys, I bring a unique perspective and commitment to this role. Through Lawmera, I am worked tirelessly to break down barriers and provide opportunities for underrepresented voices in the legal field.
My dedication extends beyond the confines of my firm, as I actively mentor young individuals across the United States, guiding them through the challenges and triumphs of their legal careers. I believe that mentorship is essential in fostering the next generation of legal professionals and ensuring a diverse and inclusive legal community.
If elected, I will continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession, striving to create a supportive environment where all young lawyers can thrive and make meaningful contributions. Together, let us build a future where every voice is heard and every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
Joseph Ortiz
I want to be the representative of the people. The voice that shouts out what the new lawyers feel. I have always believed that the best representation is direct representation, and I want to carry that into the Board of Governors. I will listen to you and do everything in my power to challenge the current system to make it better for generations to come.
I currently work for the Kitsap County Prosecutor's Office. I've known I wanted to go into public service my whole life. My office is filled with attorneys who believe in restorative justice and have taught me so much about the good we can do as lawyers. I want to take this passion and drive that I have in my day-to-day life and use it to make the lives of all the people who interact with the justice system better. I know I do that in my work, and I know I can do even more as the Young Governor.
I thrive in groups; I am a social person. I want to use that to connect with the people I represent and the public I serve.
