WSBA Honors Richland Legal Technician Mark Von Weber with Local Hero Award
RICHLAND, WA, Nov. 6, 2026 — The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) today recognized Mark Von Weber, a Limited License Legal Technician based in Richland, with its Local Hero Award to celebrate his longstanding service to his profession, his community, and his country.
Von Weber is a legal technician emeritus with A Legal Technician Office in Richland, a verified veteran organization providing service in family law to members of the local community eligible for assistance via Benton Franklin Legal Aid. He was honored during a Local Hero Lunch at the Courtyard by Marriott Richland Columbia Point as part of the WSBA Board of Governors’ visit to the Richland area. The award is presented to legal professionals who have made noteworthy contributions to their communities through exemplary service and dedication.
WSBA President Kari Petrasek commended Von Weber for his career of helping others and, in particular, his thousands of hours of volunteer work
“Volunteers are an indispensable part of the Washington legal profession, and Mark has proven himself to be just that,” Petrasek said. “From 2023 to 2025 alone, Mark volunteered more than 3,500 hours of pro bono service. His colleagues have consistently praised Mark as someone without whom they could not provide the services they do.”
Mark Von Weber with WSBA Executive Director Terra Nevitt and WSBA President Kari Petrasek |
“Mark’s energy toward volunteering is to find a way to be proactively helpful,” said Joyce Diaz, WSBA staff liaison to the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee. “Our team knows that Mark personally volunteers more time on his own than some entire programs. He has dramatically improved the lives of people living in the Tri-Cities.”
Prior to his legal career, Mark served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force. He was detailed to the Strategic Systems Program Office, which brought him to places like Scotland, Georgia, and eventually Washington. Mark applied his GI education benefits toward a paralegal credential, later becoming licensed as a LLLT.
Following the ceremony, WSBA Executive Director Terra Nevitt joined President Petrasek in presenting Von Weber with his award and congratulating him on his service and leadership.
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.
