The Class of 1976

The WSBA celebrates members with 50 years of dedicated service at the Museum of Flight

BY WSBA STAFF

WSBA President Francis Adewale stood before a packed house and asked everyone to take it all in for a moment.

“When 35 lawyers came together in 1890 to found this institution, they had a vision for what the legal profession in Washington could be,” said Adewale, who was speaking before more than 200 legal professionals, friends, and family members who gathered to celebrate 50 years as licensed legal professionals. “But they never expected that there would be a room full of lawyers that have practiced law for 50 years in a room like this. … Thank you. You’re still living the oath you swore in 1976. You have each spent 50 years living out that vision, building on it, shaping it, and passing it forward.”

For the third year in a row, the WSBA’s 50-Year Member Luncheon was held at the Museum of Flight, and the visual metaphor was not lost.

“What a wonderful place to have an opportunity to share memories …,” Adewale said. “Fifty years of time can be seen behind us. You see the changes in the kind of planes that were being flown in 1976. Some of the airlines that used to operate in 1976, they are no longer in existence. But you are here. You’re still serving. You’re still committed to the profession. We appreciate you.”

Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens spoke next.

“So, I want to emphasize that this celebration is not a retirement party,” Stephens said. “It is a celebration. … This is not a retrospective, and it’s not a time to be nostalgic about the way things used to be because we live in the present moment, and the way things are is in many ways I think philosophically I truly believe it is exactly what it is supposed to be, but that doesn’t mean it is not without its challenges and opportunities for us to continue to lean into.”

Stephens said she came prepared with a request for three commitments from the 50-year members in the room: to help mentor the next generation of legal professionals, to weigh in on the alternative licensure pathways the Supreme Court and the WSBA are reviewing, and to get out into the community and be ambassadors for the critically important rule of law.

“So, I am sorry to tell you I’m not interested in seeing you sit on the deck with a gin and tonic and put up your feet,” she said. “I am interested in seeing you share your 50 years of experience and wisdom, your passion for this profession, your commitment to justice, and continue to strengthen what we have and build the next generation so that this profession and those values can long endure.”

There were 239 new WSBA members admitted in 1976. Seventy-nine of those members were in attendance at the event. Also in attendance were WSBA Governors Christopher Bhang, Matthew Dresden, Kevin Fay, and Alain Villeneuve. WSBA staff and members of the WSBA Executive Leadership Team also joined the celebration, including Executive Director Terra Nevitt, Chief Communications Officer Sara Niegowski, Shelly Bynum, Connor Luk, Colin Rigley, Aziza Ozgoren, Darlene Parker, and Evan Pham.

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WHAT HAPPENED IN 1976?

IN THE NEWS

• Americans celebrated the country’s bicentennial, with celebrations held coast to coast, and 16 tall ships from around the world sailed into New York Harbor. Quarters, half dollars, and silver dollars minted that year were stamped 1776–1976.
• Jimmy Carter was elected to be the 39th president of the United States, defeating the incumbent, Gerald Ford. It was the first time since 1932 that a sitting president lost the general election.
• The Jelly Belly candy company was born. The eight flavors of gourmet jelly beans were famously loved by soon-to-be President Ronald Reagan.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer Company, one year after Microsoft was formed.

ARTS & CULTURE

• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The film’s star, Jack Nicholson, also took home Best Actor, and the film swept five major awards in total.
• Stevie Wonder’s album “Songs in the Key of Life” spent 13 consecutive weeks at the top of the charts.
• Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night” became the top song of the summer.

SPORTS

• The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys at Super Bowl X.
• The Summer Olympics were held in Montreal. Romanian gymnast Nadia Comăneci made history by earning the first ever perfect 10 score in gymnastics.

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Full List of 50-Year Members

To the members of the WSBA who were admitted to practice in Washington in 1976, we celebrate your many accomplishments, offer our thanks for your decades of service to the people of Washington, and congratulate you on achieving this very significant milestone.

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