The Board of Governors is the WSBA's governing body directed by the Washington Supreme Court to determine the general policies of the Bar and approve its budget annually. The Board consists of the president, president-elect, immediate past president, members elected from each of the state's congressional districts and three at-large members.
The Board typically meets six times each year at locations across the state. Except for executive sessions, Board meetings are open to the public. The Board has several committees, and governors serve as liaisons to WSBA committees.
Kari Petrasek | President-Elect (2025-2026); Governor, District 2 (2025–2028)
Kari Petrasek was elected to the Board of Governors in 2022 and re-elected in 2025. She served as 2024-2025 WSBA treasurer and was elected by the Board to be the 2025-2026 president-elect. She was sworn in as president in September 2026. She is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. She is a solo attorney, having started her own firm, Petrasek Law, in Mukilteo in January 2015. She is a civil litigator with significant experience in the areas of juvenile law, guardianships, estate planning, elder law, and family law.
Petrasek is a dedicated advocate for children, having served as a volunteer and attorney guardian ad litem for dependent children. She has been a Snohomish County CASA Program attorney for over 15 years. In addition, she has served as a judge and commissioner pro tempore for Snohomish County Superior Court since 2010. She is a past-chair of the WSBA Solo & Small Practice Section, the treasurer of Washington Women Lawyers, a past-president and past-treasurer of the Snohomish County Bar Association, and a leader in the ABA GPSolo and Judicial Divisions. In her free time, Petrasek enjoys skiing, golfing, football, and baseball.
Email: kari@petraseklaw.com.
Francis Adewale | Immediate Past President (2026–2027)
Francis Adewale was first elected to the Board of Governors in 2021 and later elected by the Board as treasurer in 2022. He was elected president-elect
in 2024 and became WSBA president in September 2025. Francis is Executive President of AHANA, Eastern Washington’s pre-eminent multi-ethnic business association. Before then, he had served two term as treasurer of WSBA and is the current treasurer of Spokane City Credit Union. Francis is one of the attorneys that helped establish Spokane Community Court. His commitment to community and movement lawyering is epitomized by his work on several community based board and activities in Eastern Washington. He has served as chair of Refugee Connections Spokane, co-chair of Spokane Homeless Coalition, Spokane County Regional Law & Justice Council’s Racial Equity Disparity Committee. He is former chair of Washington State Access to Justice Board and a former member of Washington State Supreme Court’s Interpreters Commission. He currently is board member of Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP). He is a founding member of the Washington Statewide Re-entry Council having been reappointed thrice by Gov. Jay Inslee. Francis and his wife also own and run a small business in Spokane.
Francis is an H. George Frederickson Honors Graduate of Eastern Washington University and adjunct faculty at Whitworth University as well as Gonzaga Law School. Francis was admitted to the WSBA in June 2000 and has since practiced as assistant public defender for the City of Spokane.
Email: fadewale@spokanecity.org
Nam Nguyen | President–Elect (2026–2027
Nam Nguyen was elected to the Board of Governors in 2022 and re-elected in 2025. The Board also elected him to serve as 2025-2026 WSBA treasurer and as 2026-2027 president-elect. Nguyen is an assistant attorney general in the Sexually Violent Predators Unit in Tumwater. Prior to this position, Nguyen served as the executive director of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. Immediately after law school, he volunteered in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, for AmeriCorps’ BP oil spill relief program. Nguyen also serves on the board and as treasurer for the Judicial Institute, an organization that provides a comprehensive clinic, other introductory programs, and mentors to develop the skills and connections necessary to seek appointment or election to the bench. Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and grew up in the South Seattle suburbs. He graduated from the University of Washington and Boston University School of Law, and he has a master’s degree in foreign policy from the University of Michigan. Nguyen resides in Seattle and enjoys running, reading, cooking, and spending time with his dog, Dog Vader.
Email: Nam.wsba@gmail.com
Tom Ahearne | Governor, At-Large (2023–2026)
Tom Ahearne chose this photo of himself to illustrate why inclusion is important to him. An Air Force brat who grew up all across our country, he’s been a Seattle litigator since 1986. For most of his life, he never felt like the outsider in a group. Or discriminated against. Or excluded. But a 2014 snowboarding accident reversed that by imprisoning him in a wheelchair—where he now feels aloneness, inequity, and exclusion every day. He therefore ran for a seat on the Board of Governors to focus on the WSBA’s equity and justice for all efforts—“for all” because he believes our country is better off if every person has a realistic opportunity to become the best that they can be. Ahearne believes diversity does not replace merit—it releases it. His other activities have included serving on the boards of the NAACP Alaska/Oregon/Washington Conference, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, King County Bar’s Appellate Section, and Washington Council of School Attorneys. His nonwork activities include using an arm pedal tricycle in bicycle races like the Seattle To Portland (STP), Mount Rainier RAMROD, Mt. Baker Hillclimb, and Ride the Hurricane race. Ahearne’s ultimate goal is to be a sheep instead of a goat. (Matthew 25:31-46.)
Email: ahearne@foster.com
Christopher Takashi Bhang | Governor, At-Large (2025–2028)
Christopher Takashi Bhang was appointed to the Board of Governors in 2025 as an at-large member, filling a late-term vacancy. He was elected to serve a second term in September 2025. Chris started his legal career as an immigration attorney, providing low and pro bono services thanks to a grant from Seattle University School of Law’s incubator program. He currently works for King County Metro, leading civil rights programs in service to Metro’s 6,000 employees and millions of customers and riders. Previously, he was a full-time community volunteer, high school science teacher, bass guitar player, and a student volunteer at the Korematsu Center for Law and Equality. He is a graduate of the University of Washington (B.S. in microbiology), Eastern University (M.A. in community development), and Seattle University (J.D., cum laude). He loves speculative fiction, puzzles, and lives in Renton with his wife, son, and dog.
Email: chrisbhangbog@gmail.com
Jordan Couch | Governor, At-Large (2024–2027)
Jordan Couch was first elected to the Board of Governors in 2021 and re-elected
in 2024 to represent new and young lawyers in an at-large position. Couch is a partner at Palace Law, practicing workers' compensation and personal injury. In his spare time, he is an avid outdoorsman — probably stemming from his childhood spent
between an island in Alaska and the Bighorn River valley in Montana. Prior to joining the Board of Governors, Couch served as a trustee for the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, chair of the Access to Justice Board's Technology Committee, and
chair of the Washington Young Lawyers Committee, and has held various leadership roles on the Solo and Small Practice Section's Executive Committee. Couch is passionate about solving access to justice by helping lawyers build better, more client-centric
practices, and never gets tired of talking about how to improve our profession (or fishing).
Email: jordan@palacelaw.com
Min Kang | Governor, District 2 (2026–2029)
Min Kang was sworn in as governors position for District 2 in September 2026. She is a member of his firm's DEI Committee and Asian Pacific American Affinity Network. She is active with KABA of Washington, the Snohomish County Bar Association, JAJEC. She also has served as adjunct disciplinary counsel for WSBA. He also mentors emerging attorneys and law students.
Email: mkang@hinshawlaw.com
Parvin Price | Governor, District 1 (2025–2027)
Parvin Price was elected to the Board of Governors in 2024. He was re-elected in September to serve the remainder of the 2025–2027. Following college at the University of Evansville,
and law school at the University of Louisville, Price was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1977. He began his legal career with state government, first as a Deputy Attorney General and then as the Director of a state agency. In 1987, he opened a solo
practice. In 1991, he was invited to join a midsize firm as a partner to build a practice group focused on utilities. In 2016, he was invited to join a large firm, Barnes & Thornburg LLP as a partner, where his practice continued to focus on litigation,
funding, and permitting for various utilities. During his private practice years, he was involved in numerous community activities including among others being elected as a member and president of his local school board. In March of 2021, he became
a member of the Washington Bar with the sponsorship of his oldest daughter, an attorney with the Public Employment Relations Commission. In December 2021, he retired from his partnership at Barnes Thornburg. In 2022, he was appointed to the Pro Bono
and Public Service Committee (PBPSC). In 2023, he was appointed Co-Chair of the PBPSC. He and his wife live in Bothell, WA.
Email: lparvinpricebog@gmail.com
Allison Widney | Governor, District 3 (2026–2029)
Allison Widney was first elected to the Board of Governors in 2023. In September 2026, she was sworn for her second term representing District 3. She graduated from the University of Oregon
School of Law in 2011. Before that, she earned a criminal justice bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. After law school, she worked as a public defender in Clark County. In 2017, she moved into civil law and currently works as a
personal injury defense attorney. Widney grew up in Yakima. She enjoys running, hanging with her dog named Swift (not after Taylor Swift), learning about wine, and traveling.
Email: allisonwidneyBOG@gmail.com
Mary M. Rathbone | Governor, District 4 (2024–2027)
Mary Rathbone was elected to the Board of Governors in 2022 and reelected in 2024. She is a partner at Moberg Law Group, P.S. She has a B.A. in business administration from Washington State University, with an emphasis in international business. She obtained her license to practice law through the APR 6 Law Clerk Program. For the last 14 years, she has worked primarily in civil defense litigation. When she is not at the office, she can be found balancing ballet, piano, karate, and baseball with her two children.
Email: mmrbog4d@gmail.com
Emily K. Arneson | Governor, District 5 (2024–2027)
Emily K. Arneson was appointed to the Board of Governors in 2026. An experienced legal analyst, advisor, and litigator, Min focuses on advising clients on risk management, insurance coverage, contract disputes, and appellate matters. She represents a broad range of clients, from large-scale national corporations to small local businesses to private individuals. Min is adept in various areas, including business litigation, appellate, class action, transportation, trucking, aviation, cannabis, and e-commerce matters. She is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional. A respected leader within the legal community, Min previously served as president of the Korean American Bar Association of Washington, with whom she remains on the Advisory Board. She has also served as a civil legal advisor for the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle and a prior representative for the Washington State Joint Asian Judicial Evaluations Committee. She is currently an active member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Asian Bar Association of Washington, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington. She is also a member of Hinshaw’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.
Email: NormaLinda@AmayaFamilyLaw.com
Todd A. Bloom | Governor, District 6 (2026–2029)
Todd Bloom is a sole practitioner with over two decades of experience in providing professional services
to private and publicly-held companies, high net worth families, executives, and private business owners. Bloom’s prior experience includes over a decade as a tax attorney and senior manager in Big Four accounting, as well as in-house counsel.
Recalled to the Navy after 9/11 and serving over a decade, Bloom retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 2018. He deployed in support of military and counter-terrorism operations and exercises in the Persian Gulf, the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and South
America during shipboard and expeditionary tours. Bloom earned his B.A. from Simpson College. He received M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from Tulane University, an M.A. from the Naval War College, an LL.M. from the University of Washington, and a diploma
from the College of Naval Command and Staff. Originally from the Midwest, Cmdr. and Mrs. Bloom and their two sons came to the Pacific Northwest by way of New Orleans, Louisiana, where Bloom was first admitted to the bar.
Norma Linda Ureña | Governor, District 7 North (2026–2029)
Norma Linda Ureña was elected to the Board of Governors in 2026. A family law attorney with more than 32 years of practice, she has dedicated her career to serving individuals, families, and underrepresented communities. Raised in a farmworker family in southern Idaho, she worked alongside her family in the fields, an experience she credits with shaping her strong work ethic and commitment to justice. Ureña earned her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law and her bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Seattle University. She has served as president of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, legal advisor to the Mexican Consulate in Seattle on cross-border civil matters, and a volunteer leader with numerous community organizations. Her service has been recognized by the King County Bar Association, which honored her as Volunteer of the Month and Attorney of the Year. She currently serves as King County Superior Court Commissioner Pro Tempore.
Email: matthew@dresdenlaw.com
Alain Villeneuve | Governor, District 7 South (2024–2027), Treasurer (2026–2027),
Alain Villeneuve is the 2026-2027 WSBA treasurer. He was elected to the Board of Governors in 2024. He is senior vice president, general counsel, secretary, and part owner of TRX(R), a leading U.S. fitness company. He has spent more than a decade as the company’s lead intellectual property prosecutor, litigator, and enforcer. He has practiced law for more than 20 years as an IP expert. Villeneuve is admitted in both state and federal courts of Washington and Illinois, before the U.K. Law Society, and with the U.S. Patent Office and U.K. Trademark Office. Before pivoting to law, he worked in Europe as a mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineer and site manager. Villeneuve holds a bachelor’s degree from Polytechnique of Montréal, a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, and portions of an executive MBA from McGill University. He is a dedicated runner and cyclist, winning gold at the 2009 OutGames in Denmark and silver at the 2013 3,000-mile Race Across America road cycling race, and the Abbott World Marathon Majors 6-marathon medal. He recently completed authoring the sci-fi series Sophie—The Attractor Trilogy on Amazon and other platforms.
Email: avilleneuve@trxtraining.com
Qian "Sophie" Ying | Governor, District 6 (2026–2029)
Qian "Sophie" Ying was appointed to the Board of Governors in 2026. A corporate and business attorney, she is the founding partner of Future Discovery Law Group, serving the Eastside economy—from AI startups to local artists— since 2016. Previously, she was in-house counsel and an EPC attorney managing power plant projects and M&A. As founder and past president of the Seattle Chinese Bar Association, she built a nonprofit of 130-plus members. She earned LL.M.s from the University of Washington (health law) and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (civil and commercial law). A self-described “non-retiring artist of life,” Ying blends her legal career with mindful living. She is an ACE Certified Health Coach and completed Harvard Medical School’s CHEF Coaching program. Having traveled to over a dozen countries, she considers the Seattle area her favorite home. Currently writing a healthy family cookbook, she resides in Sammamish with her husband and two daughters, enjoying art, cooking, and nature.
Kevin Fay | Governor, District 9 (2025–2028)
Kevin Fay was elected to the Board of Governors in 2022 and re-elected in 2025. Prior to serving on the Board, he served on the Executive Committee of the WSBA Corporate Counsel Section, the Washington Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel, and the Washington Chapter of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals. He retired after decades of service as in-house counsel for VMware, Inc., PACCAR Inc, and Microsoft Corporation. Prior to going in-house, he was in private practice at Mudge Rose and Shearman & Sterling in New York City, and Bogle & Gates in Seattle. Originally from Seattle, he earned undergraduate degrees in political science and history from the University of Washington, a J.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School. When not governing, he plays clarinet in the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, saxophone in the Washington Wind Symphony and the MachOne Jazz Orchestra, and spectacularly poor golf on courses throughout Western Washington.
Email: kevinfaybog@yahoo.com
