Tisha F. Pagalilauan Receives 2005 Washington Young Lawyers Division Professionalism Award

Seattle, Washington, April 24, 2006 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) announced that Seattle lawyer Tisha Pagalilauan received the 2005 Washington Young Lawyers Division (WYLD) Professionalism Award. The Professionalism Award honors a young lawyer who exemplifies the spirit of professionalism in the practice of law. "Professionalism" is defined as the pursuit of a learned profession in the spirit of service to the public and in the sharing of values with other members of the profession. WYLD President Noah Davis presented the award on April 3, 2006, at a reception held in honor of Ms. Pagalilauan at Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, where she is a partner.

Ms. Pagalilauan received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. At Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, she counsels and represents public and private clients regarding environmental litigation and regulatory issues. Her regulatory practice primarily focuses on negotiations with agencies regarding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Model Toxics Control Act.

Ms. Pagalilauan has been active in the legal community as an advocate for the inclusion of women and minorities in the legal profession and for equal access to justice for all members of the community. As a member of the Washington Women Lawyers (WWL) she has worked for women's rights and to build bridges with minority communities. She currently serves as the 2005-2006 WWL president.

Ms. Pagalilauan also served on the King County Bar Association's Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee, where she co-developed a seminar series to address the issue of low retention of associates of color in partnership ranks within law firms, a problem identified in the Glass Ceiling Report (conducted by Northwest Research Group for the Glass Ceiling Task Force). As a member of the King County Bar Foundation, Ms. Pagalilauan co-chaired two seminars entitled "Building a Book of Business," focused on informing attorneys of color in private practice how to generate business with the intent of improving retention of attorneys of color in private law firms. She also took part in a small group of individuals representing various organizations who worked for close to two years to develop the Initiative for Diversity.

Steven R. Rovig, of Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson, wrote: "Tisha has been an unwavering advocate for diversity as a member of the Initiative for Diversity's Governing Council. In this effort, as with so many other of Tisha's activities, her ability to balance the many demands of family, practice, and extraordinary community involvement is inspiring."

Ms. Pagalilauan also serves on the WSBA Environmental and Land Use Section Editorial Board, King County Women Lawyers Glass Ceiling Task Force Committee, and University of Washington School of Law Alumni Ambassador and mentor programs.

"The depth of her commitment to the legal profession is truly admirable and deserving of the legal profession's recognition and thanks," wrote Ramona M. Emerson, managing partner, Seattle office of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, in her nomination of Ms. Pagalilauan.

She was also identified by Washington Law & Politics as one of two associates in law firms to be mentioned as a highly accomplished woman in Washington state.

About the Washington Young Lawyers Division
The WYLD provides programs and services of special interest to young lawyers, the public, and those denied access to the justice system. In particular, the WYLD sponsors continuing legal-education seminars of interest to young lawyers; publishes De Novo, a bimonthly publication serving young lawyers; sponsors programs that benefit high-school students, including the YMCA Mock Trial Competition; as well as a variety of seminars addressing issues facing young lawyers.

Any active member of the WSBA is a member of the WYLD until December 31 of the year in which the member attains the age of 36 or until December 31 of the fifth year in which the member has been admitted to practice in any state, whichever is later.

About the Washington State Bar Association
The WSBA is part of the judicial branch, exercising a governmental function authorized by the Washington State Supreme Court to license the state's 29,800 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, the WSBA administers the bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; and administers the lawyer-discipline system. 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 2005-2006 president is S. Brooke Taylor, of Port Angeles, and the 2005-2006 president-elect is Ellen Conedera Dial, of Seattle. The Board meets regularly (every six weeks) at various locations around the state, and its meetings are open to the public. Much of the work of the Bar is carried out through 23 standing committees; 25 sections; and a Young Lawyers Division, with its many committees.