
Introducing the 2025 WLI Fellows
Now in its 20th year, the WLI board selects 11 fellows for collaborative leadership program between the Washington State Bar Association and the University of Washington School of Law.
The Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) is a leadership development program created in 2004 by the WSBA Board of Governors at the behest of then president Ronald R. Ward. Its mission is to recruit, train and develop traditionally underrepresented attorneys for future leadership positions in the Washington State Bar Association and legal community. It is a collaborative leadership program between the Washington State Bar Association and the University of Washington School of Law.
The program strives to recruit fellows for each class who reflect the full diversity of our state, which includes race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability and geographic location. The program sessions include topics such as the “nuts and bolts” of law practice, leadership styles, the judiciary and the legislative process.
The WLI provides the fellows with numerous opportunities to personally interact with legal, judicial and political leaders. The program offers a unique combination of benefits:
The application period for the 2025 Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) Fellowship has closed as of October 10, 2024. However, for those interested in applying for next year’s cohort, here are the key requirements and expectations for eligibility and participation:
To be considered for the program, applicants must:
If you're interested in applying for the next cycle, keep an eye out for application announcements and prepare the necessary materials in advance to ensure timely submission.
Questions? Please email uwlawwli@uw.edu.
“WLI was huge in giving me the tools I need to be better. The relationships in particular continue to be important and rewarding. I appreciate that the end goal is to understand the meaning of community and to then serve. The program is not just career oriented – but with the career advancement, one also gains a corresponding credible voice that is needed to make a difference.”
— Judge Bernard F. Veljacic, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 2
The ABA Midyear meeting was held virtually in February 2022. Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) Program was highlighted along with The Men of Color Project. Checkout the video!
Now in its 20th year, the WLI board selects 11 fellows for collaborative leadership program between the Washington State Bar Association and the University of Washington School of Law.
WLI board selects 11 fellows for collaborative leadership program between the Washington State Bar Association and the University of Washington School of Law.
Erika Evans and Craig Sims have been selected as Co-Chairs of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI), leading efforts to recruit and develop underrepresented attorneys for leadership positions.
Recent graduating class of the WLI Fellowship Program provide a guide for new, underrepresented attorneys and incoming law students.
Retired Washington Supreme Court Justice Fairhurst served on the Court from 2003 to 2020 and was a board member of the Washington Leadership Institute.