The required time period for accepting nominations has concluded, and the King County Bar Association New Lawyers Division will now vote on the following slate of candidates to fill vacancies on the NLD Board.
NLD members who wish to challenge the slate may run against the candidates named below by submitting a petition signed by at least five NLD members in good standing (or 25 signatures if challenging the chair position) and filing that petition with the office of the King County Bar Association on or before 3 p.m. Friday, June 13.
For more information about the petition process, please contact KCBA Member Services Director Bridget Schuster at bridgets@kcba.org.
An electronic election will occur only if a petition to challenge one or more candidates is received by the deadline. If an election is required, members will be sent a voting link by June 20 via their email address on file with KCBA.
Ray Williams / Candidate for Chair Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
As many in our legal community transition back to the office, we’re seeing a renewed emphasis on supporting early-career attorneys and fostering their professional growth. I am honored to serve as Chair of the New Lawyers Division during this time of renewed connection and opportunity. We believe that one of the most effective ways to support new lawyers is through active engagement with the NLD and thoughtful investment in our programming. Together, we can build a more inclusive, dynamic, and forward-looking legal community — one that reflects the values and aspirations of its newest members.
Janelle Elysee / Candidate for Trustee Bracewell LLP
As a young attorney practicing in King County, I’m seeking to serve on the New Lawyers Division Board of Trustees to foster a more connected legal community that supports attorneys in the crucial early years of practice. My candidacy is driven by a desire to be more deeply engaged with my immediate legal community. The KCBA NLD provides essential resources and networks, but I believe we can enhance these benefits through targeted programming that addresses the unique challenges newer attorneys face in today’s evolving legal landscape. I’m particularly passionate about bridging the gap between the WSBA and King County’s younger attorneys. New lawyers may feel disconnected from our state bar despite paying dues and meeting requirements. I aim to create stronger pathways for meaningful engagement between these institutions, ensuring newer attorneys’ voices influence both organizations. Additionally, I hope to strengthen existing mentorship opportunities, practical skills workshops, community service opportunities, and social events that combat the isolation many new attorneys experience. Through board service, I can help build a more supportive, inclusive legal community that empowers the next generation of King County attorneys to thrive professionally while finding fulfillment in service to our clients and community.
Emily Husa / Candidate for Trustee Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson PLLC
I would like to serve on the KCBA NLD Board of Trustees to make connections with NLD members and the greater legal community. Through these connections, I would like to use my involvement to help others make connections. Because the legal field is regulated by its members, I think building community and practicing accountability are essential to sustaining the integrity of the profession.
Roxanneh Mousavi / Candidate for Trustee Smith Freed & Eberhard PC
I am seeking the opportunity to serve on the KCBA NLD Board of Trustees to actively contribute to its mission of supporting new attorneys through education, mentorship, and professional development. As an early-career attorney, I am keenly aware of the challenges that accompany the transition into the legal profession. I am particularly interested in strengthening connections between new lawyers and the broader Seattle legal community and encouraging early involvement therein, as well as identifying meaningful ways to bridge that gap through service and community engagement. I view this role as a valuable opportunity to give back, foster inclusion, and support the newest group of legal professionals in King County.
Julissa Rachor / Candidate for Trustee Seattle University School of Law
As someone who has navigated the challenges of entering the legal profession as a first-generation, biracial, and bisexual woman, I understand how vital it is to have access to mentorship, resources, and meaningful opportunities for engagement early on in one’s career. This opportunity to serve on KCBA NLD’s Board of Trustees would allow me to give back and contribute to initiatives that support the growth, diversity, and professional development of new lawyers in King County.
