Follow Us on Google
A Nigeria, Mr. Francis Adewale, has assumed office as the new president of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).
Adewale who was elected last month hails from Ilesa in Osun State.
Adewale is set to lead the organisation which regulates and serves nearly 40,000 legal professionals for the next one year.
A statement by Jennifer Olegario, communications manager of WSBA, 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.
“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.”
Global Legal Roots and Local Impact
Adewale’s legal foundation was established in Nigeria.
He is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained his law degree. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992 before being admitted to the WSBA in 2000. He also holds an Honors degree from Eastern Washington University and serves as adjunct faculty at Whitworth University and Gonzaga Law School.
As president, Adewale recognises the many challenges facing legal professionals and has vowed to support WSBA members on issues ranging from legal technology and waning public trust in institutions to lawyer health and wellness.
Adewale’s dedication has earned him several honors, including the City of Spokane Human Rights Award and the 2018 WSBA APEX Award of Merit for his role in founding the Spokane Community Court. He is also the executive president of the AHANA Multi-Ethnic Business Association of Spokane.
