WLI Presents: Voices That Move Us

In this episode of Voices That Move Us, Bianca Connell-Flint speaks with James Williams, managing partner of Perkins Coie’s Seattle office and founding director of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI). James shares his remarkable journey. He reflects on pivotal moments from his time as a military lawyer in Europe to a career-defining phone call that brought him to Seattle. James also dives into the origins of WLI and the impact it has had on generations of diverse legal leaders across Washington State.Transcript: https://www.law.uw.edu/media/143829/james-williams-transcript.pdf

In this episode of Voices That Move Us, Alex Bejarán Estévez speaks with Francis Adewale, president elect of the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors and a 2009 graduate of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI). Francis shares how formative experiences, from being wrongfully arrested as a teenager in Nigeria to building a decades long public defense career in Spokane, shaped his deep commitment to justice. He reflects on how WLI helped him find new purpose and inspired him to cofound Spokane’s nationally recognized Community Court. Interview Transcript: https://www.law.uw.edu/media/143830/francis-adewale-transcript.pdf

In this episode of Voices That Move Us, Yohana Valdez speaks with Sarah Pendleton, Clerk of the Washington Supreme Court and a 2022 graduate of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI). Sarah shares how WLI helped her overcome imposter syndrome and find a deep sense of belonging as a woman of color in leadership. She talks about the nontraditional path that led her to the highest court in the state, her work advancing language access and appellate court transparency, and the quiet power of writing job descriptions that welcome rather than gatekeep. Sarah reflects on her legacy, the importance of showing up for the next generation, and the resilience of programs like WLI. Interview Transcript: https://www.law.uw.edu/media/143828/sarah-pendleton-transcript.pdf

In this episode of Voices That Move Us, Kelly Oshiro of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) speaks with Ron Ward, civil rights attorney, former WSBA President, and founding visionary behind WLI. Ron shares the story of how the program began, the leaders who helped shape it, and how WLI has grown into a powerful force for equity and inclusion in Washington’s legal community. He reflects on a lifetime of service, battling imposter syndrome, and building community both inside and outside the law. Ron reminds us that we are the ones we've been waiting for. And Ron challenges the next generation to keep pushing forward.Interview Transcript: https://www.law.uw.edu/media/143826/ron-ward-transcript.pdf

In this episode of Voices That Move Us, Cloie Chapman of the Washington Leadership Institute (WLI) speaks with Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu, the first Asian, first Latina, and first LGBTQ+ justice on the court. Justice Yu shares how her upbringing in Chicago, early work in community organizing, and mentors led her to the legal profession. She reflects on decades of service, navigating imposter syndrome, and what it means to lead with purpose and integrity. Interview Transcript: https://www.law.uw.edu/media/143827/justice-yu-transcript.pdf