Updated: Oct. 21, 2024

Access to Justice Board

Join the Access to Justice Board

Apply today to lead on a statewide level, influencing the future of legal services in our state. The Board is accepting applications to fill one position. As a statewide organization, the Board aims to ensure representation from all regions of Washington. To better serve this goal, the Board is actively seeking to increase representation from Eastern Washington and rural areas. Legal professionals from these regions are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information and instructions to apply can be found here. The priority deadline to apply is Oct. 25, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled.

More information about the Access to Justice Board and its work can be found on the Alliance for Equal Justice website.

Recognizing that access to the civil justice system is a fundamental right, the Access to Justice Board (ATJ Board) works to achieve equal access for those facing economic and other significant barriers. The ATJ Board was established by the Washington Supreme Court in 1994 at the request of the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors in response to a growing need to coordinate access to justice efforts in Washington. The ATJ Board also oversees the work of a number of standing committees and special initiatives to address access issues. The standing committees include the Communications Committee, Delivery System Committee, Rules Committee, Technology Committee, the Equal Justice Coalition, and the Pro Bono Council. The Board reports regularly to the Washington Supreme Court and the Washington State Bar Association. View the 2023 Access to Justice Board Annual Report.

In carrying out its mission, the ATJ Board is guided by:

State Plan for the Coordinated Delivery of Civil Legal Aid to Low-Income People

The ATJ Board is charged with planning for the statewide delivery of civil legal aid services. The 2018-2020 State Plan for the Coordinated Delivery of Civil Legal Aid to Low Income People is the blueprint for this work. The purpose of the State Plan is to expand access to our civil justice system and identify and eliminate barriers that perpetuate poverty and deny justice. The State Plan sets forth five goals that represent a universal commitment of all Alliance for Equal Justice members as well as strategies and implementation steps to fulfill those goals. 

Access to Justice Board Meetings

The ATJ Board meets 10–12 times a year. Currently, all meetings are being held by videoconference 10–11:30 a.m., unless otherwise noted. The schedule can be found on the events calendar here. Everyone is welcome to attend a meeting in person or via teleconference. If you are interested in receiving notices of meetings, please email atj@wsba.org.

Access to Justice Board Members

The ATJ Board consists of 10–11 members nominated by the WSBA Board of Governors and appointed by the Washington Supreme Court. Members are appointed based on experience and commitment to expanding access to justice.

Board Members

Esperanza Borboa, Chair, Community Organizer
Citlalli Briseño, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition
Michael Chin, Seattle Office for Civil Rights
Brynn Felix, Peninsula Community Health Services
Nicholas Larson, Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney
Maya Manus, Benefits Law Center 
Mercedes Riggs, Soar Immigration Legal Services
Vanna Sing, Tacoma Healing Awareness Community
Andrew Yi, Pierce Co. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office

Access to Justice Board Staff

Diana Singleton, Chief Equity and Justice Officer

Bonnie Sterken, Equity and Justice Lead

Find the Access to Justice Board on Facebook.

Resources