Nothing can really prepare you. That was the sentiment from the WSBA’s newest president, Francis Adewale.
“Our profession faces a lot of turmoil, including an extremely difficult business environment, shifts in technology, and political whirlwinds,” writes Adewale in the first regular column of his presidency, published in the latest issue of Washington State Bar News.
Facing political pressures, new technological quandaries, and a public that simply does not trust the law like it used to, Adewale’s plan for the next year of his term is to be open: “As your president, I make this solemn promise: I am here to listen to you. It doesn’t matter your political persuasion or social status. You will be heard. The majority may have the votes, but the minority will be heard, and their reasons will be considered. As history frequently reminds us, the minority opinion today might become the wisdom of tomorrow.”
In addition to Adewale’s first column in this issue of Bar News, you can also read a wide-ranging Q&A with Adewale that covers his professional background, what motivated him to become WSBA president, his outlook for the next year, and more.
“My message to all WSBA members is to actively work to pull the arc toward justice, not passively wait for it to happen on its own,” Adewale writes. “Nothing about equity and justice is natural or automatic. It takes conscious human effort and commitment.”
Once you’ve met the new WSBA president, get acquainted with the rest of the Board of Governors. We have profiles of all 16 members. But it’s not just the political members of the Bar getting recognition. Last year, more than 1,100 legal professionals in Washington reported a total of 84,733 hours (roughly 10 years!) of pro bono service. We have the names of each individual who reported at least 50 hours of pro bono publico in 2024.
Plus, in this issue learn about Skagit Legal Aid, get a breakdown of a new WSBA advisory opinion on reporting client data to legal aid funders, find out what changes were made to the law on parenting limitations, get up to date on changes to the Bluebook, and more.
