News

by WSBA

Hunter M. Abell recently was sworn in as President of WSBA. Washington Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens administered the oath of office during the September meeting of the WSBA Board of Governors in Spokane, Washington.

Abell stood between his two young daughters, Libby and Wynsome, to accept the oath.

“I am hoping this year will be focused on building the public’s trust and confidence in our legal system,” said in an upcoming Q & A for Washington State Bar News. “Toward that end, I have adopted the theme ‘For the People’ for the coming year. The rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy, establishing and upholding the rights of all people.”

Abell is a resident of rural Ferry County where he lives on a fourth-generation family ranch.  He is an attorney at Williams Kastner in Spokane, where he focuses on civil litigation, real estate, and Indian law. Abell first was elected to the Board of Governors in 2019. Previously, he served as chair of the WSBA Professionalism Committee and Indian Law Section. Before joining Williams Kastner, he served as a JAG officer with the U.S. Navy, and is currently a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

In 2015, Abell received the WSBA’s Courageous Award, bestowed to those who have displayed exceptional courage in the face of adversity, thus bringing credit to the legal profession. He received the award for his service with the detainee operation in Guantanamo Bay while leaving his growing family behind – including his youngest who was born during the deployment — and putting his law practice on hold for a year.

A focus on the public has long been foremost on Abell’s mind. In his Courageous Award video, he said, “I have concerns when I see a genuine legal issue that needs to be addressed and the potential client just can’t afford to get the relief that they’re looking for… there’s an increasing gulf between the legal profession and the public, and if we can try to bridge that, we’re in better shape for it.”

A graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., Abell attended Gonzaga University School of Law and received an LL.M. at Georgetown University Law Center. Abell is also a proud graduate of Inchelium High School.

As WSBA President, Abell will oversee the long-range, strategic planning process for the future of the WSBA. His term as president runs through September 2024.

At the September Board of Governors meeting, Justice Stephens also swore in WSBA President-Elect Sunitha Anjilvel; Immediate Past President Daniel D. Clark; Treasurer Francis Adewale; and new governors Allison Widney (District 3), Todd A. Bloom (District 6), Kristina Larry (District 8), and Tom Ahearne (At-Large). Matthew Dresden was reelected in District 7-North.

Download a printable PDF version of this release.