Updated: Feb. 25, 2025

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.

 

 

Notice of Election

The WSBA is conducting elections for the following positions:

  • Congressional District 2
  • Congressional District 10

Click here to learn more about the candidates.

All Active WSBA members residing in those districts are eligible to vote and will receive an e-ballot. The election begins Monday, March 17 and ends at 5:00pm PST on Tuesday, April 1.

Make Board Service Your New Years Resolution

The WSBA is seeking applicants for the following positions on the Board of Governors:

  • President-elect: application deadline is 5:00 pm PST on April 8.
  • Governor At-Large: currently held by Governor Chris Bhang. Application deadline is April is 5:00pm PST on April 15.

Learn More:

March 26 (12 - 1pm)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 854 5623 3643
Meeting Passcode: 254336

April 8 (4 - 5pm)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 889 2742 3431
Meeting Passcode: 399024

RSVP to barleaders@wsba.org. An RSVP is recommended but not required.

President-elect - 2025 Election Information

Eligibility: any Active lawyer member of the Washington State Bar Association may apply to serve as President-elect.

Term:  the term for President-elect begins at the conclusion of the September 2025 meeting of the Board of Governors. The President-elect assumes the President role in the year after and the Immediate Past President role the year after that, for a total of three-years concluding at the end of the September 2028 meeting.

President-elect Application Process:

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 8. Late applications will not be accepted. 

  1. WSBA Board of Governors President-elect Application Form 2025 (required)
  2. Statement of Interest
  3. Resume
  4. Letters of Support

Email the above materials to barleaders@wsba.org no later than 5:00pm on April 8.

Election: Per WSBA Bylaws, 'The BOG will elect an Active lawyer member of the Washington State Bar Association to serve as President-elect.' 'The President-elect will take office upon the incumbent President-elect becoming President or upon vacancy of the office of President-elect.' 

The Board of Governors will interview all candidates and take a vote by secret ballot at the meeting scheduled for May 2-3, 2025 in Port Angeles, WA. In-person and virtual attendance options available.

Duties of President-elect: The President-elect performs the duties of the President at the request of the President, or in the absence, inability, recusal, or refusal of the President to perform those duties. The President-elect also performs such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the BOG. The President-elect is not a voting member of the BOG except when acting in the President’s place at a meeting of the BOG and then only if the vote will affect the result

Governor At-Large - 2025 Election Information

Eligibility: Any Active member may apply to serve for Governor At-large. For this position, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council shall forward at least three candidates who have a lived experience and knowledge of the needs of those members whose membership is or may be historically underrepresented in governance to the end that the BOG will be a more diverse and representative body than the results of the election of Governors based solely on Congressional Districts may allow. Diversity refers to meaningful representation of, and equal opportunities for, individuals who have a lived experience as a member from one or more historically underrepresented communities in the legal profession. Underrepresentation encompasses and is not limited to, race, disability, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

The DEI Council will interview applicants on Wednesday, April 30 from 3:00 - 4:30pm. 

Term: three-year term begins at the end of the September 2025 meeting of the Board of Governors and will end at the conclusion of the September 2028 meeting. 

Governor At-large Application Process:

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 15. Late applications will not be accepted.

  1. Board of Governors Governor At Large Application Form 2025*. This form is required. Please make sure to indicate which district you are applying for. See eligibility information below.
  2. Candidate Statement (200 words max.) Candidate statements will be published online and included on the ballot.
  3. Complete the Board of Governors At Large Candidate Profile Form 2025. Profiles will be published online. Note: after submission, profile forms may be edited to align with WSBA branding guidelines.
  4. Photo. Photo will be published online, included on the candidate profile and the ballot. Photo should be of good quality. Photo size for web publishing is at least 150px (width) by 200px (height) at 72 dpi.
  5. Letters of Support. Please have letters of support sent to barleaders@wsba.org no later than 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 15. Letters will be published online in the format in which they were received.

Email all materials to barleaders@wsba.org no later than 5:00pm PST on April 15. Late applications will not be accepted. 

*The application form is required. All other materials are optional but recommended.

Election: The election will be conducted through an electronic ballot provided by 

Key Dates:

  • April 30. Applicants interviews with the DEI Council. 
  • May 5 & 6. Candidate Video Recording Sessions. Each applicant will have the opportunity to record a brief candidate videos. Candidates will be provided predetermined questions and prompts in advance of the video recording. To ensure timely publication of the videos, we ask that candidates record their videos with WSBA staff on one of these dates. More information will be provided to candidates.
  • May 15: The Governor At-large election begins via e-ballot.
  • June 2: Voting ends. 

Orientation:

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 BOG. Governors-elect must attend public meetings of the BOG as non-voting Governors. This attendance does not include executive sessions, unless authorized by the BOG.'

Therefore, mark you calendars; the following dates are important for any newly election Governor:

  • July 16, 2025 New Governor Orientation in Walla Walla.
  • July 17-18, 2025 BOG Meeting in Walla Walla
  • July 19, 2025 BOG Retreat in Walla Walla
  • Sept. 26-27 BOG Meeting in Seattle (WSBA Offices)

In-person attendance is encouraged. Virtual attendance option 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 Manager of Volunteer Engagement, 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.