Updated: July 22, 2020

Washington Young Lawyers Committee

Washington Young Lawyers Committee (WYLC) is a diverse group of 18 new and young lawyers representing different regions throughout Washington state. Leadership on the committee affords new and young lawyers the opportunity to build connections across the state and throughout the legal community.

Some of the things WYLC is here to:

  • help put together and run programs for new and young lawyers that focus on public and pro bono service
  • help lawyers transition into practice
  • promote leadership; and most importantly 
  • uphold the Washington State Bar Association’s mission to serve the public, ensure integrity of the legal profession, and champion justice

If you are interested in joining the Washington Young Lawyers Committee as a regional or at-large member, find more information here.

The committee meets in person Saturday of every other month. Our meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

Projects

The WYLC focuses on a variety of specific areas important to new and young lawyers and law students. If you're interested in helping the WYLC accomplish its goals or have ideas, join a project team today and let us know what WYLC can do for you. To get involved with WYLC's projects, please email newmembers@wsba.org. You can find more information about the projects here. 

Meet the Washington Young Lawyers Committee

View a map of WYLC District Composition.

2019–2020

Jordan Lee Couch, Chair
Current Term: Oct. 1, 2019-Sept. 30, 2020
Full term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2021

Brian Neuharth, Chair-elect
Current Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2020
Full term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2022

Kim Sandher, Immediate Past Chair
Current Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2020
Full term: Oct. 1, 2015–Sept. 30, 2020

Benjamin Hodges, Peninsula Region: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2021

Zachary Davison, King County
Term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2021

Maha Jafarey, At-Large
Term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2021

Chelsie Elliott, Southwest Region: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2016–Sept. 30, 2022

Ian McCurdy, Northwest Region: Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2020

Alixanne Pinkerton, South Central Region—Yakima, Kittitas, and Klickitat counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2021

Staff Liaison

Julianne Unite

Brandon Holt, Southeast Region: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties
Current Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2022
Full term: July 5, 2019-Sept. 30, 2022

Brian Holden, Pierce County
Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2020

Catherine Holm, Greater Olympia Region: Lewis and Thurston counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2021

Esther Hyun, Snohomish County
Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2022

Molly M. Winston, Greater Spokane Region
Term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2020

Emily Ann Albrecht, At-Large; American Bar Association Young Lawyer Division District 29 Representative 
Term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2020

Paula Kurtz-Kreshel, King County
Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2022

Laura King, At-Large
Term: Oct. 1, 2019–Sept. 30, 2022

Vacant, North Central Region: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties
Term: Oct. 1, 2017–Sept. 30, 2020
The WSBA is currently seeking to fill this vacant position. If you are interested in applying,  please review this volunteer position description and email newmembers@wsba.org.

Russell Knight, Board of Governors Liaison
Term: Oct. 1, 2018–Sept. 30, 2020

Next Committee Meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Washington State Bar Association, pursuant to RCW 42.30.080, and the Governor’s Proclamation 20-28 (including subsequent amendments), that a Washington Young Lawyers Committee meeting will be held on:

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2020

Time:  10 a.m., until all business is completed

Location: Virtual and conference call only

Meetings will be conducted by video and teleconference only due to Washington state and King County emergency orders regarding public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All committee members may participate via video and conference call. In addition, video conference and call-in instructions are pasted below for members of the public who would like to attend remotely.

The purpose of the meeting is for the committee to discuss, deliberate, and take potential final action regarding the following agenda items (no final disposition regarding any matter will occur at the meeting except as indicated on this notice): 

AGENDA:

  1. Welcome/Introductions/Minutes/Plan for the Day
  2. BOG Update & Discussions
  3. WSBA Updates
  4. New Appointments
  5. Rep Reports/Ideas for COVID era
  6. New Member Survey
  7. Break for Lunch
  8. Project Updates (potential action items)
    1. Debt (LRAP bill)
    2. RRR/ATJ
    3. Bylaws and Charter
    4. Dress code
    5. Awards (Public Service Leadership Award)
  9. FY20 WYLC Annual Report
  10. FY21 WYLC Meeting Dates
  11. Rapid Eval: New Projects
  12. Adjournment

Meeting Materials

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided upon request.  Please email julianneu@wsba.org or call 206-727-8258.

Instructions for video conference: You may join the meeting via video conference by going to https://wsba.zoom.us/j/98025692761. Follow the prompts to download and launch Zoom. When a window pops up to "Join with Computer Audio", you may join by computer audio or by phone. If joining by phone, follow the instructions by calling 1-888-788-0099 (toll free), enter meeting I.D. 980 2569 2761, and enter participant I.D. (unique number assigned to you when you join the Zoom meeting).

Instructions for public call-in: You may join the meeting via conference call by calling 1-888-788-0099 (toll free), and entering access code 980 2569 2761. You are not required to state your name to join this meeting.  If the conference call provider message asks that you state your name or participant ID, you may press #, without stating your name, and you will be connected to the meeting. Committee members will be required to state their name in order to establish quorum. 

Note: Discussion and action may be taken on any item on the agenda. The time and order of agenda items are subject to change at the discretion of the committee chair.

FY 2020 Past Committee Meetings

Meeting Minutes

FY 2019

October 2018
December 2018
February 2019
April 2019
July 2019
September 2019

FY 2018

October 2017
January 2018
March 2018
May 2018
July 2018
September 2018