Washington Young Lawyers Committee
The Washington Young Lawyers Committee Welcomes Applicants for Open Positions
Share Your Skills. Volunteer with the WSBA. Apply Today!
Members of the Washington Young Lawyers Committee (WYLC) have a shared interest in programs, benefits, and issues facing new and young lawyers. Service on the WYLC offers you the unique opportunity to develop your leadership skills, network with others around the state, and create programs and benefits for a new and young lawyer audience. The WYLC will have the following positions to fill for terms starting Oct. 1, 2024:
- North Central Region Representative
- South Central Region Representative
- Pierce County Representative
- Northwest Region Representative
- King County Region Representative
Learn More and View other WSBA Volunteer Opportunities!
The WSBA Board of Governors is seeking applicants for the below positions:
- At-Large (Young Lawyer): currently held by Governor Jordan Couch. Couch is eligible and is undecided regarding a second term. The application deadline for this position is April 15.
This position is 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.
For more information on the application process, please click here.
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 committee shall forward at least three candidates to the Board of Governors who qualify as young lawyers as defined by Article XII(B) of these bylaws in the year of the election. The Board 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 WSBA executive director shall notify the Board of Governors, 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.
The Washington Young Lawyers Committee is a diverse group of 18 new and young lawyers representing different regions throughout Washington state. Leadership on the committee allows new and young lawyers to build connections across the state and throughout the legal community.
Some of what the Committee is here to do:
- 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 the second Saturday of every other month. 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. Find more information about the projects here.
Meet the Washington Young Lawyers Committee
View a map of WYLC District Composition.
2023-2024
Aaron Haynes, Chair Zachary Davison, Immediate Past Chair Adin Johnson, Southwest Region: Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific,
Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties Vacant, Northwest Region: Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties
Bethany Nolan, King County Vacant, King County Elyse Waters, At-Large Catarina Ferreira, Peninsula Region: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties Vacant, South Central Region: Yakima, Kittitas, and Klickitat counties
| Mason Ji, Chair-Elect Vacant, Pierce County Cody Branstetter, Greater Olympia Region: Lewis and Thurston counties Sydney Sherman, Snohomish County Alexander Reaganson, Greater Spokane Region Chawisa Laicharoenwat, At-Large Stephan Yhann, At-Large Mackenzie Lloyd, Southeast Region: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties Jordan Couch, Board of Governors Liaison Vacant, North Central Region:
Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties |
Staff Liaison: Julianne Unite
Staff Support: Chelle Gegax
Next Committee Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Washington State Bar Association, that a Washington Young Lawyers Committee meeting will be held on:
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. until all business is completed
Join the Zoom meeting.
Call-in: 253-215-8782 || Toll-free: 888-788-0099
Meeting ID: 845 8591 0394 || Passcode: 032727
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.
Please check back for meeting materials.
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided upon request. Please email accommodations@wsba.org.
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 2023 Past Meeting Materials
Past Meeting Materials & Minutes
FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
