The leadership of the D.C. Bar sets the priorities for the largest unified bar association in the country. The D.C. Bar President, Treasurer, and Board of Governors review and approve D.C. Bar policies, approve the annual budget for the Bar and the Bar Pro Bono Center, decide which committee and task force recommendations to pursue, set governance for the Bar, and much more. Washington Council of Lawyers believes effective Bar leadership will have experience in service to the legal community, have leadership experience with the D.C. Bar, D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, or voluntary bars and be able to provide strategic guidance to contribute to the Bar’s future.

Since Washington Council of Lawyers is devoted to promoting pro bono service and public-interest law, we also think it is essential that D.C. Bar leaders understand firsthand the importance of, and have a demonstrated commitment to, increasing access to justice in our community. 

Washington Council of Lawyers endorses the following 2025 candidates, listed alphabetically, and not in order of preference.  

President-Elect
Diane A. Seltzer

Treasurer-Elect
Amanda C. Molina

Board of Governors (vote for up to 5)
Karen Newton Cole
Louis Lopez
Andrea Mangones
Bennett Rushkoff
Stephen A. Saltzburg

ABA Delegates (vote for up to 2)
Alexander J. Geraldo
D. Jean Veta

ABA Delegates Under 36 (vote for up to 1)
Michelle T. Domingue II

Our endorsements are determined by our Board of Directors based on the candidates’ resumes and responses to a questionnaire jointly used by the Washington Council of Lawyers and the D.C. Consortium of Legal Services Providers. For the office of President-Elect, we also hold an in-person question-and-answer session with the candidates who seek our endorsement. 

This year, our decisions were particularly difficult as we found the candidates to be especially strong. Many of the candidates have a demonstrated commitment to increasing access to justice. We want to thank all of the candidates for their willingness to serve!

The 2025 D.C. Bar General and Communities elections will run from April 15 to June 4. Voting is exclusively online. Eligible voters will receive an email link to the general election ballot and to the ballots for their D.C. Bar Communities, from Direct Vote (via Survey & Ballot Systems), an independent vendor administering the 2025 D.C. Bar elections.

This year, it is vital that you make your voice heard. Please be sure to vote! Then share our endorsements widely with your networks!

Susie Hoffman and Tiana Russell, D.C. Bar Affairs Committee Co-Chairs
Washington Council of Lawyers