Spokane Attorney Michael J. Pontarolo Elected to WSBA Board of Governors

Seattle Washington, August 15, 2003 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Board of Governors announced the election of Spokane attorney Michael J. Pontarolo as governor for the Fifth Congressional District, which includes the region covering the easternmost segment of the state (17,671 square miles). Mr. Pontarolo, who will be sworn in September 11, 2003, will serve a three-year term as Fifth District governor.

Since 1975, Mr. Pontarolo has been a principal in the Spokane and Seattle law firm of Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo & Walker, PS, focusing on plaintiffs' workers' compensation and personal-injury litigation. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from Gonzaga University in 1969 and his J.D. in 1973 from Gonzaga University School of Law. Since 1987 he has been an adjunct professor of law in workers' compensation at Gonzaga University School of Law. He was elected president of the Spokane Bar Association in 1989, has served on numerous local and state bar committees, and is a frequent lecturer on workers' compensation and personal injury issues.

Listed in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities and American Law, he was named by Washington Law & Politics magazine as a "Super Lawyer" for the years 2001-2003, holds the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and was chosen as one of the Best Lawyers in America, 2003-2004.

"As lawyers, we are called to be stewards of our profession, face challenges, listen, and seek solutions," Mr. Pontarolo said. "For 30 years I have accepted this calling, and now I wish to bring these qualities to the position of governor. I welcome the opportunity to serve."

Mr. Pontarolo lives in Spokane with his wife, Elizabeth, and their four children, who have also attended Gonzaga University.

About the Washington State Bar Association
The Washington State Bar Association is a private, nonprofit organization authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license the state's 27,600 lawyers. The WSBA both regulates lawyers under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association—all without public funding. As a regulatory agency, it administers the bar exam, provides record-keeping and licensing functions, and administers the lawyer discipline program. As a professional association, the WSBA provides continuing legal education for attorneys, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities.

The governance of the WSBA is vested in its 14-person Board of Governors. There are three governors from the seventh congressional district; one from each of the other eight districts; and three at-large members, one of whom represents the Young Lawyers Division. The current president is J. Richard Manning of Seattle, and the president-elect is David Savage of Pullman. The board meets every six weeks at various locations around the state, and its meetings are open to the public. Much of the work of the WSBA is carried out through its 23 standing committees, 24 sections, and a Young Lawyers Division.

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