Washington State Bar Association swears in new officers as Justice Mary Yu announces planned retirement

Justice Mary Yu, an associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court, announced her intention to retire “in the new year” and administered the oaths for the Washington State Bar Association’s incoming officers at a ceremonial meeting of the association.

The announcements and oath administrations were the centerpiece of a leadership-transition ceremony during which Francis Adewale (referred to in one oath transcript line as “Francis Alaba”) was sworn in to serve as president, Kari/Carrie Petrasek (recorded variously in the transcript as “Kari Petrasek” and “Carrie Marie Petrasic”) was sworn in as president‑elect, and Wingdutt Nam was sworn in as treasurer. Justice Yu also spoke about remaining active after retirement and pledged continued advocacy for the courts and the rule of law.

Why it matters: Leadership at the Washington State Bar Association influences bar governance, regulatory and mentoring programs, and statewide legal‑community priorities. Justice Yu’s long tenure on the state’s highest court and her role in bar programs including the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) were highlighted as part of the ceremony.

Justice Yu, who the meeting host said joined the Supreme Court in 2014 and described as a “trailblazer,” told attendees that retirement did not mean withdrawing from public life. “I wanna assure everyone … retirement does not mean going away,” Justice Mary Yu said. “I’ll be an advocate from a different perch.” She also thanked the bar for its mentoring and regulatory work and noted she expected to “activate my status again, as a lawyer.”

Francis Adewale delivered brief remarks after being sworn in and outlined an inclusive approach to the association’s work. He told governors and members that he would listen and be available. “I will listen to you. I will be available to you at any time,” Adewale said, and stressed the importance of hearing minority opinions as part of the association’s deliberations.

The ceremony included the formal recitation of the bar oath for each officer by Justice Yu; the oath text recited during the event included a pledge to “serve as president of the Washington State Bar Association,” to “strive to serve my fellow members,” and to support “the interest of justice” and “equal justice for all.” The meeting record shows the oaths were administered sequentially to the incoming officers and a roster of incoming governors was read aloud and recognized.

Names recognized during the ceremony included incoming and continuing governors: Chris Bang (governor at large), Parvin Price (District 1), Hari Petrasek (District 2), Kevin Fay (District 9), Nam Nguyen (also noted as serving as treasurer in the transcript), Allison Whitney (District 3), Mary Rathbone (District 4), Emily Arneson (District 5), Todd Bloom (District 6), Matthew Dresden (District 7 North), Alain Villeneuve (District 7 South), Christina Larry (District 8), Jordan Couch (governor at large), Tom Ahern (governor at large), and others who were recognized for continuing service. Past‑president Dan Clark and outgoing leaders were also acknowledged.

Program context noted during remarks: Justice Yu was described as a longtime chair of a disciplinary advisory roundtable and a recent co‑leader of the Washington Leadership Institute, a partnership referenced between the bar and the University of Washington School of Law that the speaker said “has produced many … diverse leaders” for the bar. Francis Adewale credited his WLI experience as formative in shifting his focus from individual representation toward systemic change.

The meeting did not specify effective dates for the officers’ terms or provide a firm calendar date for Justice Yu’s retirement beyond the speaker’s statement that she intends to retire “in the new year.” No formal votes or contested motions were recorded in the transcript excerpt of the ceremony; the record shows ceremonial oath administrations and recognitions only.

The ceremony concluded with presentations of plaques and gifts to outgoing leaders and brief remarks of gratitude from multiple participants. The meeting record indicates the gathering was celebratory and ceremonial rather than policy‑making in nature.