Meet the 2026-2027 WSBA President
Q. Tell us about yourself—your background, law practice, and what inspired you to become a lawyer.
A. I grew up in West Seattle, and when I started looking at what college I wanted to attend, one of the criteria was I wanted to experience “real winters.” So I headed to Minnesota to attend Gustavus Adolphus College (it was 60 below zero and blizzarding my first winter there!). I initially went to that college to obtain a degree in biology because I wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon. But due to a necessary class not being available when I needed to take it, I decided to look at other careers that interested me. I have always enjoyed helping people and finding out the “reason why,” so after taking a couple law-related classes at Gustavus, I decided to go to law school. After graduating from Gustavus, I came back home and attended the Seattle University School of Law. My first job was at a small firm handling family law, juvenile law cases, and criminal law. After that firm, I joined a couple other small firms and continued to practice those areas of law, but expanded into other areas including estate planning, guardianships, property disputes, and contracts. In 2015, I started my solo firm and have continued to practice in the areas of juvenile law, estate planning, guardianships, and family law.
Q. What motivated you to run for WSBA president?
A. I have been a leader throughout my life. Over the course of my career, I have volunteered on many different WSBA committees, boards, councils, and sections as well as local and national boards and councils. I was motivated to run for WSBA president because I believe in this time when the rule of law and diversity are being challenged, I can be a strong voice in holding up the WSBA’s principles and mission.
Q. What is the theme for your presidency?
A. This year, my theme is to recognize, celebrate, empower, and foster a thriving volunteer community made up of over 1,500 WSBA volunteers whose dedication makes our organization’s work possible and enriches the resources we provide to members of the legal community. I also want all volunteers to know the Board and the WSBA support you and are here to help you. If volunteers do not feel supported, please reach out to your Board liaison, WSBA staff, or even me.
Q. What will your message be to the public as WSBA president?
A. The WSBA has been engaging in activities and initiatives to improve access to justice for all, even for those in the most rural areas of our state. We are also working to educate the public about the rule of law and ways the public and lawyers can help ensure the morals of the justice system are upheld.
Q. What will your message be to WSBA members? To other members of the Board of Governors?
A. At a time when both the legal and judicial systems are under attack and people are losing faith, we need to be united in our voice to support justice for all and educate others about the importance of an independent judiciary. The preamble to Washington’s Rules of Professional Conduct calls on every one of us to get out there as ambassadors to “further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system.” We also need to support each other and, regardless of differing beliefs, accept that every voice is important and deserves to be heard, whether in the majority or minority.
Petrasek had her picture taken with Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989 and again in 2011.
Of her Mariners fandom, Petrasek says, “I am a glass-half-full type of person, so I show up year after year, believing in the players and coaches, holding onto the hope that this could be the season it all comes together.”
Q. You care deeply about volunteering, with the WSBA in particular. In what other roles have you volunteered with the Bar, and what would you say to others who are considering getting involved?
A. My first involvement with the WSBA was serving on the Washington Young Lawyers Division (now the Washington New Members Committee) Board of Trustees (BOT). I started as the Snohomish representative on the BOT, and after five years, became the president of the WYLD BOT. After serving on the BOT, I worked with the law office management program to create a mentorship program, which ultimately resulted in the Open Sections Night program that took place annually up until COVID-19.
I have been a member of the WSBA Solo & Small Practice Section’s Executive Committee since 2009, when I served as the young lawyer liaison to the Section, and was chair of the Section from 2018-2020. In addition, I have served on the WSBA Juvenile Law Section’s Executive Committee since 2021. When the WSBA started looking into the shortage of attorneys in rural areas, I volunteered to serve on the Rural Practice Project and subsequently, on the Small Town and Rural (STAR) Council. The shortage of attorneys in rural areas is a deep concern of mine. I have a home in Eastern Washington that I spend quite a bit of time at, and I have seen the great need for attorneys in rural areas.
My advice to others is to find a section, committee, council, task force, or board that you have an interest in and/or are passionate about. All the boards, councils, and committees I have served on are because I had or have an interest in what that entity was doing. It is also a great way to meet new people who you might otherwise never have an opportunity to meet, and it is a wonderful opportunity to network. There are lots of ways to volunteer, whether for the long-term (i.e., a section) or the short-term (i.e., a WSBA task force), or somewhere in between.
Q. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing legal professionals in Washington today?
A. The ever-increasing use of AI in nearly everything we see and use. Many legal professionals are concerned about the use of AI in their practice, whether it’s safe to use, privacy issues, and the potential for hallucinated citations, just to name a few. Another major challenge is the shortage of attorneys in rural areas, particularly in the criminal defense and prosecution offices. Attorneys are retiring and having to close their doors permanently because there is no one to take over their office, leaving many clients without an attorney within 50 or more miles. The undermining of the rule of law and the public’s decreasing level of confidence in the U.S. judicial system and its courts is another major challenge.
Q. How do you think the WSBA can help support practitioners as they navigate these challenges?
A. Our Rule of Law Ambassador Program is going out and helping legal professionals carry out the duties of education and informing their communities about the rule of law in a way to build connections and, ultimately, trust. In addition, now that the Legal Technology Task Force has submitted its final report, the WSBA will be working on implementing some of the recommendations, particularly around the use of AI and other technology in the practice of law. Additionally, the STAR Council has resources for rural practitioners and is continually looking at different initiatives that will increase the number of attorneys in rural areas.
Q. What advice would you give to newer members of the Bar just beginning their careers?
A. Never be afraid to ask for help or for someone to be your mentor. Get involved in your local bar association, join a section, and consider applying for a position on the Washington New Members Committee. Creating connections in your local area is a wonderful way to find a mentor, or someone to call if you have a question or an idea. Invite a fellow attorney out for coffee or lunch; talking informally while sharing a cup of coffee or lunch is an amazing way to decompress and get to know someone on a more personal level. The more you get to know people, the more people will get to know you; this can lead to referrals and other positives.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your time off?
A. I have always enjoyed reading. Growing up, I participated in readathons. Now as an adult, I have been part of a book club for around 20 years. I also enjoy hiking, attending Mariners games and other baseball games, football and hockey games, and horseback riding. In addition, I love to travel. My husband and I have two annual trips we take each year, and regardless of what is going on, we commit to going on those trips to recharge and enjoy time together.
Q. Your cover photo highlights your love of Seattle Mariners baseball. What do you love about the sport and the team, and what has it been like rooting for them through good times and bad?
A. I love baseball because it is a sport built on patience, strategy, and resilience. Every pitch can change the direction of a game, and every season has its own story. I enjoy watching baseball games, especially at a ballpark. Baseball also brings people together across generations and cultures.
I have attended games and been a Mariners fan since the 1980s and have been a season ticket holder for 25 years, so I have experienced the full range of emotions that comes with following this team. Many of the years have been disappointing, which makes the few times the Mariners have made the playoffs stand out even more. I am a glass-half-full type of person, so I show up year after year, believing in the players and coaches, holding onto the hope that this could be the season it all comes together. Having the All-Star Game in Seattle a couple of years ago was very memorable and fun, and seeing the team make it to the playoffs and attending some of the playoff games last year was especially exciting after so many years of disappointment. Rooting for them through good times and bad takes patience, optimism, and loyalty. When you stick with a team through the tough years, the big moments feel even better. For me, I always have the belief that the next great season could be right around the corner.
LEARN MORE > Meet Your 2026-2027 Board of Governors here
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