Executive Committee Biographies
Chair Jim Richardson
Jim is an assistant attorney general. He primarily advises the Department of Children, Youth, and Families on issues related to adolescent children in the Department’s care. His experience includes representing the state in dependency and termination cases at the trial and appellate level. Jim grew up in Shelton, Washington. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in biology from the Evergreen State College in 2006 and a Juris Doctorate degree from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2009. Prior to joining the Attorney General’s office in 2016, Jim spent six years in private practice, practicing family law and representing children in dependency cases in Thurston County. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and cats, water skiing and tending his flower garden in the summer, and fishing in the winter.
Chair-Elect Marci Comeau
Marci Comeau (she/her) is a Managing Attorney at the Washington State Office of Public Defense in the Parents Representation Program. Prior to joining OPD, Marci worked as an administrative law judge for the Washington State Office of Administrative Hearings. From 2012 to 2020, Marci worked in public defense, representing parents and children in child welfare cases. From 2006 to 2012, Marci worked as an assistant attorney general, representing DSHS in child welfare cases. Throughout her career, Marci has enjoyed providing local, statewide, and national trainings on various topics, including dependency practice and procedure, discovery, the harm of removal, and anti-racist practice. Throughout her career, Marci has provided local, statewide, and national trainings to stakeholders in the dependency system on topics including dependency practice and procedure, discovery, the harm of removal, the mental health of dependency practitioners, and anti-racist dependency practice. Marci sits on a variety of court and system improvement committees dedicated to changing the child welfare system. Marci holds a B.A. from the University of Washington and a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.
Immediate Past Chair/At-Large Member Bailey Zydek
Bailey Zydek (she/her) currently serves as an at-large member of the Juvenile Law Section and has served as a member of the section’s executive committee since 2019, including as a Legislative Committee Co-Director and Chair. For her day job, Bailey is the Children’s Representation Program Director at the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid. When not at work, Bailey enjoys all of the outdoor beauty Washington has to offer with her husband, daughter, and mischievous little pup, Kip.
Secretary Anastasia Clark
Anastasia Clark is a solo practitioner representing youth in dependency and minor guardianship cases. Although still a new attorney, Anastasia has always professionally served children and families in Washington. Starting with a high school job teaching at a science museum, a college job coordinating afterschool art programs, to a postgrad job as a service counselor at a food bank. Anastasia spends her free time reading science fiction books and volunteering to honor veterans.
Treasurer/Legislative Committee Co-Director Jeffrey Adams
Jeffrey Adams is the training coordinator at the Washington State Bar Office of Civil Legal Aid’s Children’s Representation Program and a certified Child Welfare Law Specialist by the National Association of Counsel for Children. Prior to joining OCLA, Jeffrey spent twelve years advocating for parents and children in the child welfare system, including extensive work with Native American families as part of Spokane County’s Indian Child Welfare Act court team. Beyond this legal work, Jeffrey has lectured on the Indian Child Welfare Act for the American Bar Association, the OPD, and OCLA. Jeffrey also served as a court commissioner pro tem in Spokane County, Board Chair of KSPS, the local public television affiliate, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University.
At-Large Member Kari Petrasek
Kari Petrasek is a graduate of the Seattle University School of Law. She is a solo attorney, having started her own firm, Petrasek Law, in Mukilteo, Washington in January 2015. In the thirteen years prior to starting her own firm, she worked in several small firms in Everett, Washington. She is a civil litigator with significant experience in the area of juvenile law, guardianships, estate planning, and elder law. Ms. Petrasek is also a dedicated advocate for children, having served as a Volunteer and Attorney Guardian ad Litem for dependent children and has been one of the Snohomish County CASA Program attorneys for over 15 years. She was named Volunteer Guardian ad Litem of the month in June 2008 and March 2010. In addition, Ms. Petrasek has served as a judge and commissioner pro tempore at Snohomish County Superior Court since 2010. She is a past-chair of the WSBA Solo & Small Practice Section, Treasurer of Washington Women Lawyers, a past-president of the Snohomish County Bar Association, a member of Washington State CASA, a leader in the ABA GPSolo Division, a coach for the Archbishop Murphy High School Mock Trial teams, and serves on numerous other boards and committees in her community. In her free time, Ms. Petrasek enjoys skiing, golfing, football, and baseball.
CLE/Outreach Coordinator Daria Spartan
Daria Spartan (she/her) is a Managing Attorney at the Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid in the Children's Representation Program. Prior to joining OCLA, Daria served as an Assistant Attorney General representing DCYF in child welfare cases, and previously served as a Guardian ad Litem or attorney for children and parents in family law and dependency matters since 2002. Daria enjoys spending time with her family camping, hiking, kayaking and general adventuring.
Civil Legal Needs Committee Co-Director Lisa Melvin
Lisa Melvin is the Executive Director of Chelan Douglas CASA in North Central Washington. Chelan Douglas CASA is an independent nonprofit that equips and empowers court appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children and youth in a Dependency. Lisa has 16+ years of non-profit experience working in fast-paced and evolving social service systems assisting diverse populations. Lisa has managed 5-10+ staff and mobilized 50-90 active volunteers. Lisa has guided strategic and budget planning, organized education awareness and fundraising events, and has referred clients for community resources and services. Lisa is recognized for innovative and community-minded practices. Lisa was awarded Bachelor's degrees in both public administration and law from two Australian universities and has a Master's Degree in US Law. Lisa was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in May 2025. Lisa is not currently practicing law and is looking for pro bono and/or volunteer opportunities. Lisa considers being elected as the Civil Legal Needs Co-Director on the Juvenile Law Section Executive Committee as a chance to learn, grow and serve. Lisa is now happily settled in Wenatchee but attributes much of her personal growth and self-discovery to her solo travels and multicultural experiences.
Dependency and Child Welfare Co-Director Kaelen Brodie
Kaelen Brodie is an Assistant Attorney General in the Children, Youth, and Families Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office. Kaelen represents DCYF in dependency and termination appeals and provides program advice. Kaelen received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Spanish from Western Washington University in 2011 and graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2017. He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for Commissioners Aurora Bearse and Eric Schmidt at Division II of the Court of Appeals. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, gardening, the Mariners, and birding.
Dependency and Child Welfare Co-Director Karrina Guilbault
Coming soon!
New Member Liaison Aminat Sanusi
Coming soon!
