In each issue of Bar News, WSBA President Adewale will ask one Washington legal professional, one “Hero of Justice,” to share how they came to practice law.
Hunter Abell
State House Representative, District 7-Position 2, and of counsel at Williams Kastner & Gibbs
My earliest encounter with the law was in 6th grade. There was a minor disciplinary infraction at recess, and our teacher decided to hold a trial to get to the truth of the matter and mete out justice. He served as the judge, empaneled a jury of students, and appointed defense counsel and prosecutor. I served as the prosecutor. I won my first “case,” and was hooked on the law ever since.
Today, roughly 35 years later, I practice at Williams Kastner & Gibbs in the firm’s Eastern Washington office. I assist clients with real estate litigation and transactions and serve as a commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Finally, I have the honor of representing the 7th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives.
My fight for justice is similar to the fight that thousands of attorneys engage in every day: The struggle to vindicate our clients’ rights in accordance with the law and our professional obligations. It is not easy. But it is important and noble work. I am frequently reminded of the obligation in Proverbs 31:8 to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
My passion is enhancing the public’s trust in institutions, including our legal and judicial professions, as well as the political branches of government. We have a lot work to do if we are going to build and strengthen our profession, state, and country as we celebrate 250 years of American independence.
I occasionally think back about that 6th grade trial. My daughters are roughly the same age now that I was then. Increasingly, my fight for justice and involvement in public service is for them: to make our state a better place for them to live, work, and raise a family.