Washington Leadership Institute

We’re thrilled to announce that the application for the 2025 Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) Fellowship has opened today, Monday, September 16th and will be open through October 10th! Attorneys eager to grow their leadership skills and make a lasting impact are encouraged to apply for this transformative program.

To be considered for the program, applicants must:

• Reside in Washington State. If work takes you outside of the state this should be discussed with co-chairs prior to acceptance into the program.
• Timely submission of all required application materials.
• Be an active WSBA member.
• Have been admitted to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction for at least three years and not more than ten years. (Eligibility based on Date of Bar Admission) Therefore, in order for you to be able to apply to WLI this year, you must have been admitted to the bar by Dec. 31, 2021.
• Be nominated by their employer, or if self-employed, by a lawyer with at least 10 years of practice or a judge.
• Make a two-year commitment to the program (participate in every session and following the completion of the first year, Fellows are expected to serve on a WSBA section or committee or participate in a bar or community-related activity).
• 100% attendance and participation are required of all Fellows at each of the eight sessions, regardless of whether the sessions are in person or remote/virtual.

We’re asking for your help in sharing this incredible opportunity with your networks – whether through a quick email, a LinkedIn post, or a personal recommendation. Let’s work together to discover the next class of leaders who will shape the future of our profession!

You can view/download application materials here:

2025 WLI Fellows Application.pdf

Keynote Lunch Speaker Judge Salvador Mendoza, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit