WELA began in spirit in the late 1980’s as an informal network of plaintiff employment lawyers. In 1994, WELA began to develop formal programs including its Amicus Curiae Committee and education programs. In 1996, WELA was incorporated as a Washington non-profit corporation, and has been growing ever since.

WELA’s Board of Directors consists of the four elected officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer), the Immediate Past President and five appointed members. The appointed members serve as chairs of the Amicus, CLE, Programs, Membership Committees, Legislative, and Communications Committees as follows:

Officers:
Chair > Victoria Vreeland 
Vice Chair > Kathleen Phair Barnard
Treasurer > Stephen Festor
Secretary > Larry Kuznetz 

Committee Chairs:
Amicus Committee > Jeffrey L. Needle
CLE Committee > Teri Healy and Terry Venneberg
Programs and Social Events Committee > Beth Terrell
Membership Committee > Beth Terrell 
Legislative > Jesse Wing, Jeffrey L. Needle, Steve Connor
Communications Committee > Daniel F. Johnson 
Immediate Past Chair > Jesse Wing  

To see our bylaws concerning officers, click here.

Search Last Name
Search Specialty
Search Location
Membership in WELA is available to any Washington attorney whose employment-related legal representation is at least 75% on behalf of employees. Student members must merely certify that they subscribe to the purpose of promoting the rights of employees.