Leaders Wanted. Take Your Seat at the Table!
According to the ABA Center for Bar Leadership, the best board members...
- Show up prepared and ready to engage.
- Understand the board's fiduciary and strategic roles.
- Engage with members and listen to their perspectives.
- Don't dodge difficult issues or decisions.
- Put their self-interests last.
- Focus on the path forward.
If this describes you, consider submitting an application to serve as a member of the WSBA Board of Governors.
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.
The WSBA will be conducting an election for the Congressional District 7 South position. The election will begin March 15. Learn about the candidates.
Congratulations!
Mary Rathbone has been declared the winner of the Congressional District 4 position.
Francis Adewale has been declared the winner of the Congressional District 5 position.
The WSBA is seeking applicants for the below positions:
- District 1: application deadline is April 9.
- President-elect: application deadline is April 9.
- 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.
Before You Apply: Learn More & Join an Information Session.
Take a moment to review this Serving on the WSBA Board of Governors. In addition, here is a list of the roles and responsibilities of Governors, Officers and Executive Leadership.
Information Sessions:
Session 2: March 20 (11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 851 2989 3985
Passcode: 624457
Session 3: April 8 (4–5 p.m.)
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 868 6896 6736
Passcode: 087109
District 1 Position
The District 1 position received no applications by the original filing deadline of February 15. In accordance with the Bylaws, the position will now be filled by Board appointment for one-year until the next election cycle only, in which the position will be included in the election cycle for the remainder of the term.
Term
The term will begin at the conclusion of the September 6-7, 2024 Board of Governors meeting and end at the conclusion of the September 2025 meeting.
Appointment Process
Applicants for this position will be interviewed and appointed by a vote of the WSBA Board of Governors. This interviews will take place at the May 2-3, 2024 Board meeting in Richland, WA. Candidates are welcome to attend in-person or via Zoom.
Eligibility
In accordance with the WSBA Bylaws, Any Active member of the Bar, except a person who has previously served as a Governor for more than 48 consecutive months, may be nominated or apply for election as Governor from the Congressional District, or geographic
regions within the Seventh Congressional District, in which such a person resides.
Members that have served as Governors for more than 48 consecutive months at time of filing an application, are not eligible to be nominated or apply for election or appointment as Governor from the Congressional District, At-Large Governor position,
or geographic regions with the Seventh Congressional District, in which such person resides, for a period of 36 months after the conclusion of that term of service. Any dispute regarding eligibility of a member to serve on the Board of Governors shall
be addressed by the Board of Governors.
View the WSBA Bylaws to learn more about the Election process (Article VI).
Finding Your Congressional District
Using your home address, use this congressional district finder to confirm your congressional district. You must reside in the district you wish to apply for. Note: There has been a delay in updating the congressional districts in WSBA's database. Therefore, the district listed in WSBA's database may be incorrect. Please use the district finder to confirm your district. Staff will confirm your district upon application to ensure eligibility.
Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 9.
Please submit:
- Board of Governors Congressional District Application Form 2024 (required).
- Cover letter, resume and any letters of support (optional).
Send all materials to barleaders@wsba.org. Late materials will not be accepted. All materials will be published online in the Board meeting materials.
President-elect
The WSBA Board of Governors will elect an Active WSBA lawyer member to serve as President-elect.
Term
The President-elect will take office upon the incumbent President-elect becoming President or upon vacancy of the office of President-elect. This will occur at the conclusion of the September 6-7, 2024 meeting of the Board of Governors. President-elect will serve until September 2025, President until September 2026 and Immediate Past President until September 2027 (subject to change based on exact dates of Board meetings).
Eligibility
Any Active lawyer member may apply to serve as President-elect. View the WSBA Bylaws to learn more about the Election process (Article VI).
Election Process
Applicants for this position will be interviewed and appointed by a vote of the WSBA Board of Governors. This interviews and election will take place at the May 2-3, 2024 Board meeting in Richland, WA. Candidates are welcome to attend in-person or via Zoom.
Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 9.
Please submit:
- WSBA Board of Governors President-elect Application Form 2024 (required)
- cover letter, resume and any letters of support (optional)
Send all materials to barleaders@wsba.org. Late materials will not be accepted. All materials will be published online in the Board meeting materials.
Governor At Large - Young Lawyer
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.
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 Washington Young Lawyers Committee 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 BOG 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 Executive Director shall notify the BOG, 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.
Please submit the following:
- Board of Governors Young Lawyer Member At Large Governor 2024 Application Form*. This
form is required. Please confirm you meet the definition of a young lawyer (see eligibility information above).
- Candidate Statement (200 words max.). Candidate statements will be published online and included on the ballot.
- Profile Form. Profiles will be published online. Note: after submission, profile forms may be edited to align with WSBA branding guidelines.
- Photo. Photo will be published online, included on the candidate profile and the ballot. Photo should be of good quality. The ideal photo size for web publishing is 150px (width) by 200px (height) at 72 dpi.
- Letters of Support. Letters will be published online in the format in which they were received.
Send all materials to barleaders@wsba.org no later than 5:00pm PST on Wednesday, April 15. Late application materials will not be accepted.
*The application form is required. All other materials (#2-5) are recommended but not required.
Candidate Video Recording Sessions
Recording sessions will be scheduled on May 6 and May 7. Each application will have the opportunity to record a brief candidate video. Candidates will be provided predetermined questions and prompts in advance of the video recording. Each candidate will be provided the same questions/prompts. To ensure timely publication of the videos, we ask that candidates record their videos on one of these dates if possible. More information will be provided to applicants.
Orientation Period
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 also attend public meetings of the BOG as non-voting Governors. This attendance does not include executive sessions, unless authorized by the BOG.'
Therefore - mark your calendars; the following dates are important for any newly elected Governor:
- July 9: New Governor Orientation at the WSBA offices in Seattle.
- July 18-19: Board of Governors meeting in Nespelem, WA (includes a retreat).
- Sept. 6-7: Board of Governors meeting in Olympia, WA.
In-person attendance is encouraged. Expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the WSBA Fiscal Policies. Virtual attendance option is 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 Volunteer Engagement Advisor, 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.