Take Your Seat at the Table
The WSBA Board of Governors focuses on policy, leadership, strategy, and oversight of the organization. Service on the Board requires vision, leadership, diplomacy, and passion in pursuit of the WSBA's mission to serve the public and the members of the WSBA, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession and to champion justice.
Serving on the WSBA Board of Governors
Congratulations!
Just Announced: Tom Ahearne - Governor At-Large
Term: September 2023–September 2026
In my eyes, I am no less a good lawyer today than I was on Feb. 10, 2014.
But society’s eyes are different. A Feb. 11, 2014 snowboarding accident left me imprisoned half paralyzed in a wheelchair. And the contrast between how others treated and included me before my accident vs. after is like day and night. In short: while cripples are not part of the prevailing DEI triad of race/gender/orientation, our daily on the ground experiences directly relate to our legal system’s lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
That “Can You Relate?” song articulates my post accident attitude very well. For example: I could say from my service on the NAACP Executive Board (Alaska/Oregon/Washington conference) that I understand what it’s like to be marginalized because of race. But I can’t know what it’s like to be black. Just like others can’t know what it’s like to be a cripple. Yet, as that song says, all of us are the same – just in different kinds of ways. I’m applying for this position because, if we really want our legal system to be inclusive and fair for all people, talking the talk is not enough. WSBA has to lead us to actually walk the walk.
Sunitha Anjilvel - 2023–2024 President-elect
Term: September 2023–September 2024
Governor Sunitha Anjilvel has been elected as the 2023–2024 President-elect. Governor Anjilvel will be sworn in as President-elect at the conclusion of the Board of Governors meeting in September. Upon being sworn in, Governor Anjilvel will be the sixth female and first woman of color to serve as WSBA President.
Sunitha Anjilvel has been a member of the WSBA Board of Governors since 2019. She has practiced in family law in the Pacific Northwest since 2008. Since her first admission to practice in 1990, Anjilvel has practiced in a variety of courts in Canada, California, and Washington in family law, criminal law, and civil litigation. in 2005, she served as director of a bipartisan campaign to support a redistricting reform initiative on California's statewide ballot. She has a B.A. from McGill University and a J.D. from Dalhousie Law School. She is licensed to practice law in Washington and California.
Allison Widney - District 3 Governor-elect
Term: September 2023–September 2026
I am a personal injury defense attorney and have been a member of the Bar since 2011. Prior to my current career, I worked as a court appointed attorney in Clark County. I work hard for my clients and within the community and will apply the same drive
toward service for the members of the WSBA.
I value transparency, integrity, and responsible spending. If elected, I will strive to improve communication between the Bar and its members and work to limit spending. As a lawyer who has worked
in Clark County for over 10 years, I hope to bring a new perspective to the numerous issues facing the Bar and commit to giving all members of our district a strong voice.
Todd A. Bloom – District 6 Governor-elect
Term: September 2023–September 2026
Todd Bloom has over 20 years of experience in providing tax and estate planning services to private clients. Todd’s prior experience includes over a decade in Big Four accounting, and industry experience as Comptroller and Counsel with a Financial Services Firm. Todd has advised on myriad tax issues and has represented clients before the IRS and state taxing and regulatory authorities.
After having been recalled to the Navy after 9/11 and serving for over a decade, Todd retired as a Lieutenant Commander in 2018. He deployed in support of military and counter-terrorism operations in the Persian Gulf, in the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and
South America during his seagoing and expeditionary tours and has been VA-rated disabled.
Todd received his B.A. (Econ) from Simpson College. He received M.B.A. and J.D. degrees from Tulane University, an M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College,
and an LL.M. (Tax) from UW Law School. He earned a diploma from the College of Naval Command and Staff.
Todd has been an adjunct faculty and has presented tax and financial planning topics to various professional organizations. He has served as a FINRA Arbitrator, and he has been involved with the CFA Institute’s Examination program.
Governor Matthew Dresden – District 7 North Governor-elect
Term: September 2023–September 2026
I want a bar association with strong leadership and transparent finances that supports its members, values the sections, and addresses access to justice and other challenges facing the profession. This is the bar association that we have now (although
there’s always room for improvement) and I am proud of what the BOG has accomplished over the past few years. We have a competent, stable organization, a true partnership between WSBA staff and BOG, and a renewed focus on serving members
– all members. And we’ve kept WSBA dues stable!
I believe deeply in public service. Prior to serving on the Board of Governors, I was on WSBA’s International Practice Section’s executive committee for eight years, including
a term as chair. As District 7N Governor, I have been active and involved, from attending every BOG meeting to chairing committees to liaising with sections and specialty bar associations to shepherding initiatives such as the formation of a Technology
Committee. If re-elected, I will continue to work hard for every member.
I live in Ballard with my family and am a solo practitioner. My firm website is here.
Kristina Larry – District 8 Governor-elect
Term: September 2023–September 2026
I have been in service to the profession and the public for most of my WSBA membership. Starting as a volunteer with the Trial Advocacy Program committee; then becoming a Young Lawyer Liaison to the Solo and Small Practice Section before serving on the executive committee for 8 years.
I have supported the public service initiatives of the Bar by taking the Call to Duty Pledge to serve the military and signing up as a Moderate Means Program Panel Attorney, providing reduced-rate legal services. The later lead me to becoming the staff attorney of the program at the University of Washington School Law where I also teach the Moderate Means Practicum. Through my support of these initiatives, I became a trustee and eventually president of the Washington State Bar Foundation.
I have served the public through the King County Bar Association’s Kinship Care Project and the Housing Justice Project, where I volunteered for 10 years.
Currently I am serving on the Practice of Law Board; in addition to serving and volunteering I have been true solo attorney since 2012.
The new governors-elect will serve three-year terms. They will be sworn into office at the end of the Sept. 8–9 Board of Governors meeting. Email barleaders@wsba.org to request complete election results.
Looking Ahead: 2024–2025 Board of Governors Positions & Deadlines
The WSBA Board of Governors will be seeking applications for the following positions in January 2024.
Governor District 1, currently held by Governor Sunitha Anjilvel
Governor District 4, currently held by Governor Mary Rathbone
Governor District 5, currently held by Governor & Treasurer Francis Adewale
Governor District 7 South,
currently held by Governor Serena Sayani
Governor At Large (Young Lawyer), currently held by Governor Jordan Couch
Accommodations
The WSBA is committed to full access and participation by persons with disabilities. If you have any questions about accessibility or require accommodation, please contact accomodations@wsba.org and visit our Accommodations page for more information.
Questions?
Please contact Paris Eriksen, WSBA Volunteer Engagement Advisor, at parise@wsba.org or barleaders@wsba.org.
The WSBA values diversity and inclusion, and encourages Black, indigenous, and people of color; women; people from the LBGTQ communities; people with disabilities; and members of other groups who have been systemically oppressed to apply for our committees, boards, and panels.
