COLUMN
BY FRANCIS ADEWALE
But, Mousie, thou art no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!— Robert Burns, from To a Mouse (1785)
The Washington State Bar Association presidential election process is long and arduous. You are elected two years before assumption of office. The primary reason for this is to help the president-elect prepare for their year as president by learning from their predecessor. Let me admit that I learned quite a lot from now Immediate-Past President Sunitha Anjilvel. Over the past two years, Sunitha has led our Association with honor and distinction. She assumed the reins of duty with little notice, as she had to step up when her predecessor got elected as a state representative. In a trying and turbulent time, her leadership has been constant and her confidence unimpeachable. For me, personally, she has been kind and generous with her wisdom. Her leadership will be missed.
Even though the process for transition into leadership seems to be geared toward internal dynamics within our Association, this year’s presidential transition has also featured external influence outside the control of the Bar.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. And previous presidents have had to struggle with similar dynamics. I campaigned for the office and convinced my learned colleagues that of all our 40,000-plus members, I am best placed to serve as president. I knew what it would take. I had high hopes. But nothing prepares you for the current environment. Our profession faces a lot of turmoil, including an extremely difficult business environment, shifts in technology, and political whirlwinds. For instance, whilst we are battling the impact of artificial intelligence on law practice, no one knew that the president of the United States would issue an executive order targeted at one of Washington’s most historic law firms.
The political environment is not the only area that is of concern to Washington lawyers. It seems the business and practice of law itself is on trial. Legal practitioners are increasingly finding it difficult to survive in this economy. As one attorney told me, “Our clients plead for help in providing services, you do your job and wait in vain to get remunerated.”
These challenges are not restricted to private legal practitioners. Those of us who are government attorneys are dealing with budget crunches that force layoffs and furloughs. Attorney caseload standards are of concern for prosecutors, public defenders, and the staff that support them. This is what happens when we do not prioritize funding of the judiciary. In the last several years, our state funding of the judiciary has been less than 1 percent of the entire state budget. The best way to promote independence of the judiciary and the legal profession is through a robust support of its integrity and fiscal stability. An independent and effective legal system accessible to all is the best dividend of democracy.
In the midst of all these contending forces, our profession is also facing a huge headwind from technology disruptions—AI, machine learning, and the unauthorized practice of law environment. Even though we are buffeted on every side by forces within and outside of our control, I strongly believe this noble profession remains the best answer to the challenges we face. No doubt, the impact of machine learning on law practice is profound and multifaceted. It has revolutionized legal research, document review, and litigation strategy, offering significant efficiencies and insights. But the negative impacts of technology on the practice of law have become equally worrisome. Practitioners who rely on AI-prepared briefs have had to grapple with inaccuracy, bias, breaches of confidentiality, and other ethical considerations.
Even though we are buffeted on every side by forces within and outside of our control, I strongly believe this noble profession remains the best answer to the challenges we face.
Nevertheless, my spirit is buoyed by the response of legal practitioners to the challenges we face. The Law Day courthouse events, attended by attorneys all over the state, imbued me with hope for the future. More than 1,600 legal professionals across the state—from rural courthouses to urban courtrooms and law schools—publicly retook their oaths to uphold the rule of law, reaffirming their commitment to the Constitution and justice for all. Legal professionals remain a bastion of hope for civil society. Our fight for justice for all is the foundation upon which democracy and the rule of law is established and thrives.
Perhaps one of the biggest decisions I made after my election as your Bar president was to step away as District 5 governor to prepare for my term as president. This time has afforded me an opportunity to examine our policies and review our processes. I have traveled across the state and talked to legal practitioners on how best to respond to crisis without unnecessarily taking a partisan stand. Most wanted their Bar Association to be there for them as they represent their clients. Some wanted the Bar Association to stand clear of political controversy. Others just want the Bar to help protect the practice and business of law. I heard you all.
In one meeting the WSBA executive leadership team and I had with members of our state’s civil legal aid community, I was reminded of the Bar’s responsibility to center community concerns in our decision making. The need to use our voices to stand up for equity and justice for all. Our obligation to defend the sanctity of the courthouse as the temple of justice with access for all and not just a few privileged folks. Most importantly, to support state funding for civil legal aid. I heard you, and your Board of Governors heard you. The WSBA executive leadership team, led by Executive Director Terra Nevitt, heard you, too.
We may not always agree on everything, but you can trust that we will do our best to hear all sides and make the best decisions we can. We understand the enormity of the task set before us. We know the unique demands of a mandatory state bar. Our focus this year as stewards of justice is to deliver on the promise of “justice for all.” We will commit to protect and nurture the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. We will advocate for policies and practices that uphold justice for all, support independence of the judiciary, and facilitate the practice of law unencumbered by political leanings. Your Bar Association will be there to support you as you deliver the promise of justice for all without fear of retribution; whether you practice at a big law firm or are a solo practitioner, we’ve got your back.
We will also be accountable to our members and the community we serve. The Washington Supreme Court mandate for your Bar Association is to be a champion for justice, and to promote diversity and equality in the courts and the legal profession. These are also the promises we make to our members and the public we serve, and we will strive to keep these promises, as enunciated in General Rule 12. The process we take to achieve our objectives will be grounded in the three Cs: civics, civil discourse, and collaboration.
Here is what we will not do: The Washington State Bar Association will not take positions on issues concerning the politics or social positions of foreign nations, take positions that do not relate to or affect the objectives of GR 12.1 or GR 12.2(a) or (b); or support or oppose, in an election, candidates for public office. (See GR 12.2 (c).)
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 turn, I seek your kind understanding and consideration to join the Rule of Law Ambassador Program. This is a volunteer program set up pursuant to the preambles to our Rules of Professional Conduct, to build trust and confidence in the legal system, and to promote the rule of law as a foundation of our democracy. We will not leave you rudderless in educating your community about the importance of legal practice in upholding democracy. (A tool kit is available at www.wsba.org/about-wsba/ambassadors.) We will continue to create and curate ambassador resources and virtual drop-in sessions where state and national experts provide insights and skills. I encourage you to participate in an upcoming WSBA podcast series. This will be a space for people to tell their stories, how they came to the law, and why the rule of law matters. As Abraham Lincoln charged the citizens of his day, “Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap—let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice.”11 Abraham Lincoln, “Lyceum Address,” Jan. 27, 1838, available at www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm.
Bend the Arc!
GUEST COLUMN > In each issue of Bar News, WSBA President Adewale asks one Washington legal professional, one “Hero of Justice,” to share how they came to practice law, read the column here.
About the author
Francis A. Adewale is the 2025-2026 WSBA president. He can be reached at:
NOTE
1. Abraham Lincoln, “Lyceum Address,” Jan. 27, 1838, available at www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/lyceum.htm.