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Washington State Bar Association Honors James Nagle as a Local Hero

Updated: July 30, 2025

WALLA WALLA, Wash., July 17, 2025 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) is pleased to announce that former Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney James L. “Jim” Nagle has been named the bar’s latest Local Hero.

The Local Hero accolade is presented to legal professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service to their communities and the legal profession. WSBA President Sunitha Anjilvel presented the award at the July 17 meeting of WSBA Board of Governors in Walla Walla.

Nagle, who has had a distinguished career in public service for nearly four decades, was nominated for the Local Hero award by the Walla Walla County Bar Association for his unwavering commitment to justice and his profound impact on the local community. His tenure as the Walla Walla County Prosecutor was marked by his tireless efforts to uphold the law while demonstrating compassion and integrity.

Jim Nagle and Sunitha Anjilvel
Jim Nagle with WSBA President Sunitha Anjilvel.

"We are thrilled to recognize Jim Nagle as our latest Local Hero,” said Sunitha Anjilvel, president of the Washington State Bar Association. “His exemplary service and steadfast dedication to the people of Walla Walla County embody the highest standards of our profession. Jim’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of legal professionals."

Throughout his career, including 33 years as Walla Walla County Prosecutor, Nagle advocated for justice, served as mentor to young attorneys, and became as a respected leader within the legal community. His initiatives have not only enhanced the legal framework of Walla Walla County but have also fostered a sense of unity and support among its residents.

Nagle began working with the Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 1985. He was first appointed prosecutor by the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners in 1988 to finish an unexpired term when the spot was vacated. He ran unopposed in all but one of his re-election campaigns until he chose not to run and retired in December 2022. While serving as prosecutor, he also served as president of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys a d vice-president of the National District Attorneys Association.

Before joining the prosecutor’s office, Nagle worked in private practice, including taking criminal cases as a defense attorney, in Grays Harbor and Walla Walla counties. In addition to his legal career, Nagle also served as a volunteer firefighter with Walla Walla County Fire District 4 and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Walla Walla.

The Local Hero Award is a testament to Nagle’s significant contributions and his remarkable ability to effect positive change. His work has left an indelible mark on Walla Walla County, and his legacy as a pillar of the legal community will endure for years to come.

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About the Washington State Bar Association

The WSBA operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the Bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system; and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. The Bar’s mission is to serve the public and its members, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.