Elizabeth Hanley of Seattle-based Schroeter Goldmark & Bender was recently welcomed as Washington State Association for Justice’s 71st president.

After spending the past year as president-elect and working closely with former WSAJ president Colleen Durkin Peterson, Hanley becomes the third female SGB attorney to hold the position, following Janet Rice (1999-2000) and Becky Roe (2012-2013).

Hanley’s commitment to WSAJ runs deep. She became involved with the organization shortly after graduating from law school, and recalls feeling immediately welcome in the community. She has always been impressed by WSAJ’s strong support of women.

As president, Hanley says her focus will be on three key areas, which she outlined in an interview in WSAJ’s Trial News.

Elizabeth’s first goal as President concerns WSAJ’s renowned legislative affairs work. She said, "this is going to be a year of transition in government affairs" based on the retirement of Larry Shannon, who has deftly guided our government affairs work for decades. She has "incredible confidence" in Larry’s successor, Kelli Carson, "who has labored with Larry for years," to continue and expand that legacy. "[M]y number one goal [as President] … is to ensure that transition of leadership is rolled out statewide and nationwide, and that we continue to maintain our status as the credible authority for policy makers and legislators."

Elizabeth’s second presidential goal is "to ensure that our membership continues to thrive, whether they’re in the east or the west or in-between in our state—whether they’re in big firms or small." She wants to make sure WSAJ is "always a place" our members are heard, and "that the needs they have to ensure access to justice … are met." Her related "third goal" is to grow a membership that represents the community at large and that is a "place of belonging" for all.

At SGB, Hanley focuses on representing individuals impacted by discrimination, wrongful termination, and serious injury or sexual assault, while remaining committed to advancing access to justice through collaborative leadership.

Read more about Elizabeth Hanley in the September 2024 issue of Trial News here.