Yousri Omar doesn’t credit his career to chance. He credits people. Mentors who invested in him early. Colleagues who made space at the table. Leaders who opened doors before he knew to knock. For him, success has never been a solo pursuit — it’s been a collective endeavor shaped by trust, kindness, and the influence of those who believed in his potential. 

Katina Thornock always wanted to be a lawyer. At around age 10, she was given a briefcase as a present. She has a picture of herself proudly carrying that briefcase, full of solutions. She was ready to go.

Natalie Roberts, a seasoned family-law attorney, is known for her litigation acumen and empathetic advocacy. As she steps into partnership at Wechsler Becker, she reflects on the chance encounter that inspired her to pursue law, and the fulfilling career that followed. Roberts draws on her background as an athlete to promote civility and balance, and emphasizes the importance of calendaring nonwork commitments to preserve time for family, community, and rest. She led KCBA’s family-law section this past year and encourages practitioners not to shy away from family law, highlighting its complexity, interdisciplinary nature, and profound capacity to positively affect people’s lives.

Felipe Mendez is a community leader and sports lawyer who serves as Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026 organizing committee. A third-generation Mexican American raised in Sunnyside, Washington, Felipe draws on his family’s legacy of hard work and cultural pride to guide his career and leadership style. After beginning in litigation and spending a decade in school law, he transitioned to sports law, earning a global master’s degree and serving as General Counsel for the Seattle Sounders. Author Helen Boyer shows how Felipe's deep roots in both soccer and service combine legal rigor with a passion for community impact. 

Joanna Black loves a good puzzle. “I enjoy the thrill of problem-solving, uncovering hidden truths, and engaging my brain in a fun and challenging way,” she says. But for her, this passion is more than a pastime — it’s a driving force that has shaped her career. 

There may not be anyone who embraces change as wholeheartedly as Paula Emery. As an experienced attorney, mediator, leader, and educator, Paula has created an interdisciplinary practice at the forefront of her field. While Paula serves today as the Chair of the WSBA and interim Chair of the KCBA’s Dispute Resolution sections, her path to a career in mediation does not appear, at first glance, to have been linear. However, in many ways, this could not be further from the truth. Both inside and outside of the profession, Paula’s career speaks for itself—her deep commitment to justice and conflict resolution began long before she first took her Oath of Attorney. In fact, Paula embodies the true definition of someone who has always known their calling, and who has done everything in her power to find ways to best serve her clients.

Jaime Drozd’s journey to becoming the first woman Managing Partner at Davis Wright Tremaine is a story of breaking barriers, building connections, and leading with purpose. Her historic appointment isn’t just a milestone for the firm, it’s a testament to her servant leadership and transformative vision. “I’m humbled to be the first in this role, but I stand on the shoulders of strong women who paved the way,” she remarked, honoring a legacy of female leaders who have shaped the firm as executive committee chairs, practice group leaders, and office partners-in-charge. Now at the helm, Jaime is charting an ambitious course for the firm’s future, one defined by bold innovation, exceptional client service, meaningful community impact, and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of exceptional and diverse lawyers and business professionals.

It is 9:07 on a late November morning and Judge Andrea Darvas is wondering whether she’s just presided over her final trial as a King County Superior Court Judge.

You may think you know James Williams, Seattle Office Managing Partner at Perkins Coie. He’s your Washington State delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates. Or maybe you know him as a founder and, until recently, co-chair of the Washington Leadership Institute. And, of course, he’s been a leader in the local bar—not just the KCBA, but also the Loren Miller Bar Association, of which he is a past president. But a leader like James doesn’t just pop up fully formed. He is an amalgam of his life experiences. And that’s what brings us to the many things you likely don’t yet know about James Williams.

One way to learn how “powerful” or “influential” a person is in King County is to search the person’s name in the Puget Sound Business Journal. When you search the name of Kelly Twiss Noonan, there are too many “hits” to count, as her accomplishments over her 35 years in the law have put her high on the lists of power and influence in our community. In 2022, Kelly was recognized by the PSBJ as one of its “Women of Influence” and, in a separate list, PSBJ named her in its “Power 100” in recognition of her positive influence in our community.