Leaders Wanted
Take Your Seat at the Table!
According to the ABA Center for Bar Leadership, the best governing-board members...
- Show up prepared and ready to engage.
- Understand the Board's fiduciary and strategic roles.
- Engage with members and listen to their perspectives.
- Don't dodge difficult issues or decisions.
- Put their self-interests last.
- Focus on the path forward.
If this describes you, consider submitting an application to serve as a member of the WSBA Board of Governors.
The WSBA Board of Governors focuses on policy, leadership, strategy, and oversight of the organization. Service on the Board requires vision, leadership, diplomacy, and passion in pursuit of the WSBA's mission to serve the public and the members of the WSBA, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession and to champion justice.
Governor At-Large (Young Lawyer): Applications due April 15.
Congratulations!
Mary Rathbone has been declared the new Governor of the Congressional District 4 position.
Francis Adewale has been declared the new Governor of the Congressional District 5 position.
Alain Villeneuve has been elected as the new Governor of the Congressional District 7 South position.
The Congressional District 7 South Election closed April 1. View the complete results.
Terms are three years beginning at conclusion of the Sept. 6-7, 2024 meeting of the Board of Governors.
Candidates:
The below candidates will be interviewed and selected during the May 2-3, 2024 meeting of the Board of Governors.
- President-elect: Francis Adewale
- District 1: Lester Parvin Price and G. Kim Risenmay
Governor At Large — Young Lawyer
Applications Due: April 15
One of three Governor At-Large positions is designated for a young lawyer (as defined by the WSBA Bylaws). All applicants will be interviewed by the Washington Young Lawyers Committee (WYLC) who 'shall forward at least three candidates to the BOG who qualify as Young Lawyers as defined by Article XII(B) of these Bylaws in the year of the election.'
The WYLC will conduct interviews on Saturday, April 20.
This position is currently held by Governor Jordan Couch. Couch is eligible and is planning to run again for a second term.
Term
The term will begin at the conclusion of the Sept. 6-7, 2024 Board of Governors meeting and end at the conclusion of the September 2025 meeting.
Eligibility
Any Active lawyer member of the Bar who qualifies as a Young Lawyer as set forth in these Bylaws, except for a person who has previously served as a Governor for more than 48 consecutive months, may be nominated or apply.
Active lawyer members of the Bar will be considered Young Lawyers until the last day of December of the year in which the member attains the age of 36 years or until the last day of December of the fifth year after the year in which such member first was admitted to practice as a lawyer in any state, whichever is later.
Election Process
All applicants will be interviewed by the Washington Young Lawyers Committee on Saturday, April 20. By May 1, the Washington Young Lawyers Committee shall forward at least three candidates to the BOG who qualify as Young Lawyers as defined by Article XII(B) of these Bylaws in the year of the election. The BOG shall then place all candidates forwarded by the Washington Young Lawyers Committee on the ballot to be elected by a vote of all Young Lawyer Members as defined in section XII(B) of these Bylaws. If the Washington Young Lawyers Committee forwards less than three candidates by May 1, the Executive Director shall notify the BOG, which may, at its option, select additional qualifying candidates on its own or place only those candidates forwarded by the Washington Young Lawyers Committee on the ballot to be elected by a vote of all Young Lawyer Members as defined in these Bylaws.
This position will be elected by a vote of all Young Lawyer Members as defined in these Bylaws. Voting will begin Wednesday, May 15 and conclude Monday, June 3.
Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. PST on Wednesday, April 15.
Please submit the following:
- Board of Governors Young Lawyer Member At Large Governor 2024 Application Form*. This form is required. Please confirm you meet the definition of a young lawyer (see eligibility information above).
- Candidate Statement (200 words max.). Candidate statements will be published online and included on the ballot.
- Complete the Board of Governors At Large Candidate Profile Form 2024. Profiles will be published online. Note: after submission, profile forms may be edited to align with WSBA branding guidelines.
- Photo. Photo will be published online, included on the candidate profile and the ballot. Photo should be of good quality. The ideal photo size for web publishing is 150px (width) by 200px (height) at 72 dpi.
- Letters of Support. Letters will be published online in the format in which they were received.
Send all materials to barleaders@wsba.org no later than 5 p.m. PST on Wednesday, April 15. Late application materials will not be accepted.
*The application form is required. All other materials (#2-5) are recommended but not required.
Candidate Video Recording Sessions
Recording sessions will be scheduled on May 6 and May 7. Each application will have the opportunity to record a brief candidate video. Candidates will be provided predetermined questions and prompts in advance of the video recording. Each candidate will be provided the same questions/prompts. To ensure timely publication of the videos, we ask that candidates record their videos on one of these dates if possible. More information will be provided to applicants.
Orientation Period
In accordance with the WSBA Bylaws, 'Any newly elected Governor will undergo an orientation period commencing from the time of his or her election until being sworn in by the Supreme Court. This orientation must include attendance and participation in a New Governor Orientation (…) and are expected to attend other meetings and/or activities as invited or directed by the Board of Governors. Governors-elect must also attend public meetings of the BOG as non-voting Governors. This attendance does not include executive sessions, unless authorized by the BOG.'
Therefore - mark your calendars; the following dates are important for any newly elected Governor:
- July 9: New Governor Orientation at the WSBA offices in Seattle.
- July 18-19: Board of Governors meeting in Nespelem, WA (includes a retreat).
- Sept. 6-7: Board of Governors meeting in Olympia, WA.
In-person attendance is encouraged. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the WSBA Fiscal Policies. Virtual attendance option is available.
Accommodations
The WSBA is committed to full access and participation by persons with disabilities. If you have any questions about accessibility or require accommodation, please contact accomodations@wsba.org and visit our Accommodations page for more information.
Questions?
Please contact Paris Eriksen, WSBA Volunteer Engagement Advisor, at parise@wsba.org or barleaders@wsba.org.
The WSBA values diversity and inclusion, and encourages Black, indigenous, and people of color; women; people from the LBGTQ communities; people with disabilities; and members of other groups who have been systemically oppressed to apply for our committees, boards, and panels.
