Washington State’s Sunitha Anjilvel Becomes first South Asian Female President of a State Bar Association
SEATTLE — Sunitha Anjilvel has made history in September by becoming the first South Asian female to serve as president of a state bar association in the United States, marking a significant achievement for both the legal profession and the South Asian community. Her election signals a major step forward for inclusivity in law, as she takes the helm of the Washington State Bar Association, an organization dedicated to serving the public and members of the Bar, ensuring the integrity of the legal profession, and to championing justice.
“It’s an incredible honor to serve as president of the Washington State Bar Association,” said Anjilvel. “As the first South Asian female to hold this position, I hope to inspire others from underrepresented communities to pursue leadership roles within the legal profession and beyond. The law serves all people, and it is essential that its leadership reflects the rich diversity of our state and our nation. My aim is to build community, consensus, and collaboration within the legal profession.”
Anjilvel has an extensive and distinguished career, spanning more than 25 years in private practice, including family law and estate planning, criminal law, and civil litigation in the Pacific Northwest, California, and Canada. She has an unwavering commitment to social justice. As a passionate advocate for equity, Anjilvel has spearheaded initiatives aimed at improving access to legal resources in marginalized communities. She is a member of the Washington State Bar’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council from 2020-2024, and also served a three year term on the board of Domestic Relations Attorneys of Washington. She has previously volunteered with the Kinship Care Project and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.
In her new role as president, Anjilvel has outlined key priorities, including advancing belonging in the legal profession; addressing the shortage of lawyers in rural areas; supporting the need for a member well-being study; and supporting the work of a recently-created Legal Technology Task Force.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Sunitha’s caliber and vision leading the Washington State Bar Association,” said Executive Director Terra Nevitt. “Her presidency is not just a personal achievement but a significant moment for all communities who seek greater representation in positions of power.”
Anjilvel has a B.A. from McGill University and a J.D. from Dalhousie Law School. She is licensed to practice in Washington and California.
About the Washington State Bar Association
The WSBA operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited license legal technicians. The WSBA both regulates legal professionals under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association — all without public funding. The WSBA administers the Bar admission process, including the bar exam; provides record-keeping and licensing functions; administers the lawyer discipline system; and provides continuing legal education for legal professionals, in addition to numerous other educational and member-service activities. The Bar’s mission is to serve the public and its members, to ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.
