Board of Governors
Congressional District 2
The WSBA Board of Governors is the governing body of the Washington State Bar Association. The Board of Governors focuses on policy, leadership, strategy, and oversight of the organization. Governors and Officers of the Board of Governors exhibit a commitment to service, vision, leadership, diplomacy, and dedication to the mission to serve the public and the members of the WSBA, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession and to champion justice.
Important: Learn more about serving on the WSBA Board of Governors.
Congressional Districts
Meet the District 2 Candidates:
Lawyers have long been given a higher status in society. There are number of reasons for this, going back at least as far as the Middle Ages. They earned this status because of the services they rendered for Kings and Queens. They were far better educated than most people of those times.
That status came to the Colonies just a part of society, such as merchants. As the Colonies evolved into a new country, rules of society needed to be established, legislation setting forth property rights and criminal laws. Lawyers were important and had a higher status in society.
Although it was not formally written, the status which lawyers were given required that they provide services to the government and to help society, often at no costs to the person.
In the last 50 years the people began to look at lawyers with less and less as higher in society and more and more as a business.
If I am selected for the Board, I would like to see the Bar Association encourage lawyers to move away from just being a business and back to highly respected members of society.
It is a calling not a job.
I write to express my interest in the WSBA Board of Governors position for District 2 - where I live and am invested deeply in its legal and civic fabric.
My candidacy is grounded in a conviction with the WSBA's goals and mission - that a strong bar association must actively advance justice and hold our profession to its highest ethical standards. I pursue that through consistent engagement: as a member of my firm's DEI Committee and Asian Pacific American Affinity Network; active involvement with KABA of Washington, the Snohomish County Bar Association, JAJEC, and various other local affinity groups; and as Adjunct Disciplinary Counsel for WSBA.
I also mentor emerging attorneys and law students, because the most enduring way to further WSBA's goals is to develop the next generation of lawyers who are equipped - and expected - to carry that work forward.
I practiced law for 34 years in Georgia before relocating to Mukilteo, Washington in 2024 with my wife, dog, two cats and three turtles.
I am Senior Counsel with Andritz Inc., a Vienna based multinational company. As an in-house lawyer working remotely, I don't have as many opportunities to meet and interact with other members of the bar.
As a new member of the Washington State Bar Association, I want to get involved with the WSBA. My goals are to stay active in my chosen profession, continue giving back to my community, and make new friends in the legal community.
I am applying for the open position with District 2 because I believe by volunteering my time in this manner it will help me achieve my goals and help others.
Description of Open Position
The WSBA Board of Governors seeks applications from WSBA members (lawyers, LLLTs and LPOs) who reside in District 2.
Current Congressional District 2 GovernorKari Petrasek resigned their seat effective at the conclusion of the Sept. 24–25, 2026 meeting of the Board of Governors.
Term
The term for this position is two-years, beginning at the conclusion of the Sept. 24–25, 2026 meeting and ending at the conclusion of the September 2028 meeting. The individual appointed to this position will be eligible to apply for the remaining two years of this term.
Eligibility
In accordance with the WSBA Bylaws, any active member of the Bar, except a person who has previously served as a governor for more than 48 consecutive months, may be nominated or apply for election as governor from the congressional district, or geographic regions within the seventh congressional district, in which such a person resides.
Members that have served as governors for more than 48 consecutive months at time of filing an application, are not eligible to be nominated or apply for election or appointment as governor from the congressional district, at-large position, or geographic regions with the seventh congressional district, in which such person resides, for a period of 36 months after the conclusion of that term of service. Any dispute regarding eligibility of a member to serve on the Board of Governors shall be addressed by the Board of Governors.
Election Process
Application materials were due by 5 p.m. PST on Tuesday, April 7. Late applications will not be accepted.
Interview Process
The Board of Governors will interview candidates and vote. The interview and vote will take place at the May 1–2, 2026 Board meeting. The meeting is held both in-person at the Wenatchee Convention Center and online via Zoom. More information will be provided to all candidates prior to this meeting.
Important Dates
If elected, governors-elect should plan to attend the following as part of their orientation:
- July 22. New Governor Orientation in Marysville. Attendance is required.
- July 23–24. Board of Governors Meeting in Marysville. Governors-elect are expected to attend as part of their orientation. In-person and remote participation available.
- July 25. Board of Governors Meeting Planning Retreat. Governors-elect are expected to attend as part of their orientation. In-person and remote participation available.
- Sept. 24–25. Board of Governors Meeting in Spokane. Swearing-in ceremony for all new Governors. Governors-elect are expected to attend. In-person and remote participation available.
Questions
Contact WSBA Manager of Volunteer Engagement, Paris Eriksen at parise@wsba.org or barleaders@wsba.org.
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.
Previous District 2 Governors (2000–Present)
- Kari Petrasek (2022–2025 and 2025–present)
- Carla Higginson (2018–2019 and 2019–2022)
- Rajeev Majumdar (2016–2018)
- Bradford Furlong (2013–2016)
- Philip Buri (2010–2013)
- Geoffrey Gibbs (2007–2010)
- Eron M. Berg (2004–2007)
- Jon E. Ostlund (2001–2004)
- James E. Deno (1998–2001)
Other Open Positions on the Board
Early Election Results
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.
