2025 President-elect of LBAW, Garcidueñas-Sease Shares His Vision for the Legal Community

Mentorship, community, and connection are essential to the success of burgeoning attorneys, especially in a field where students of color have been historically underrepresented. During law school, Sergio was introduced to the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW), where he found just these things.

Looking back fondly on his time in law school, he recognizes the role LBAW played in his growth and sense of belonging. Now, he serves as President.

In an interview with Washington State Bar News, 2025 LBAW President Zaida Rivera and 2025 LBAW President-elect Sergio A. Garcidueñas-Sease share the institutional history of LBAW, along with its mission, mentorship opportunities, exciting accomplishments, and more.

“To ensure the success of future Latina/o attorneys, LBAW hands out scholarships to law students studying for the bar exam and to support their studies, and to undergraduate students interested in attending law school who are taking the LSAT,” the two said.

They also outline opportunities for growth through Continuing Legal Education (CLE), and free monthly legal clinics at El Centro de la Raza and throughout the state in rural and remote areas where it sees a need from its community.

“LBAW volunteers are rising to the occasion and answering the call to fight back,” Sergio and Zaida said. “We’re educating our community by hosting ‘Know Your Rights’ seminars–in English and Spanish–that discuss the legal rights every person has, regardless of their immigration status.”

Sergio and Zaida also urge Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) members to get involved in LBAW by volunteering at legal clinics and attending the organization’s gala, which benefits the clinics and LBAW at large.

Read the full article here: “Q&A with LBAW President Zaida C. Rivera and LBAW President-Elect Sergio A. Garcidueñas-Sease.”