A Nigerian, Mr. Francis Adewale, has assumed office as the new President of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
The WSBA President, elected last month, hails from Ilesa in Osun State.
Adewale will lead the organization which regulates and serves nearly 40,000 legal professionals for the next one year.
A statement by Communications Manager of WSBA, Jennifer Olegario, said: “Adewale’s career has been defined by his staunch advocacy for the rights of all, particularly in Eastern Washington, where he has practiced movement lawyering and served with the City of Spokane Public Defender’s Office since 2000. He brings a brand of leadership that is focused on the needs of both the legal community and the public.
“As president, I want every legal practitioner in Washington to know that I see you—the WSBA sees you—and we’ve got your back,” Adewale said.
“Together we will—in the immortal words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—continue to bend the arc of justice.”
The statement added that Adewale’s commitment is evidenced by his roles on key organizations, including the Washington State Access to Justice Board, the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and the Spokane Homeless Coalition.
Adewale is also a Fellow of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) and a two-time former WSBA treasurer.
WSBA Executive Director, Terra Nevitt commended Adewale’s leadership, saying, “We are so lucky to have such a committed advocate and salt-of-the-Earth human being like Francis lead our organization over the next year. In this pivotal moment for our profession, I can think of few people better suited to guide the WSBA toward being a more dedicated and responsive organization for our members and the communities in which we live.”
