Jun 24, 2026

Ballard Spahr

Kumar

Hari Kumar, a litigator based in Ballard Spahr's Seattle office, is the recipient of the 2026 Pro Bono and Public Service Award from the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA).

Kumar is being recognized “for extraordinary dedication to pro bono service, marked by perseverance through complex litigation and an unwavering commitment to client-centered advocacy,” the WSBA said in announcing its 2026 APEX—Acknowledging Professional Excellence—Awards.

Hari led a team of fellow associates from Ballard Spahr's Litigation Department in a pro bono representation of an autistic minor who was wrongfully removed from his home by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The team took the matter to trial and won a multimillion-dollar jury verdict for their clients.

Kumar is a trial and appellate attorney with a focus on insurance coverage and commercial liability matters.

Ballard Spahr's pro bono program is renowned for the volume and impact of pro bono work by its lawyers and professionals. The firm donates more than 50,000 hours a year in cases involving fundamental human rights, voting rights, asylum and immigration, child advocacy, and artists' intellectual property, as well as representing low-income individuals and families in a spectrum of matters.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have selected Corey Endo as the next federal public defender for the Western District of Washington. She succeeds Rene Valladares, federal public defender for the District of Nevada, who served as interim defender after former defender Colin Fieman entered private practice in January 2026. Endo began her four-year term on June 17.

Endo joined the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington in 2005 and has served as a research and writing attorney, assistant FPD, and, most recently, first assistant FPD. In these roles, she has handled direct appeals, federal habeas litigation and complex federal criminal cases, including challenges to the Bureau of Prisons' implementation of the First Step Act and prolonged immigration detention.

Endo earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology and society from Cornell University in 1995. She received her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law in 2002, graduating magna cum laude and Order of the Coif.

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington is headquartered in Seattle and maintains a branch office in Tacoma. The office employs approximately 54 staff members, including attorneys, paralegals, investigators and administrative personnel. In fiscal year 2025, the office opened 1,204 cases and closed 1,136 cases.

Jun 23, 2026

Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Ingrid Ulrey has been appointed senior health policy advisor to Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. She succeeds Jane Beyer, who retired from the position after nearly 40 years of health policy leadership in Washington state.

Ulrey joins the Office of the Insurance Commissioner after serving as the CEO of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange for the past three years. Before that, she was regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and 272 federally recognized tribes.

Ulrey will advise the commissioner on policy and legislative strategies to address the growing health care affordability crisis, protect consumers, and expand access to care. She will also serve as the commissioner's delegate to the Health Care Cost Transparency Board and the Universal Health Care Commission.

Ulrey's perspective is grounded in decades of experience in federal and state health care policymaking, and previous leadership positions with Public Health Seattle & King County, AARP, SEIU, and PATH. She has a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Jun 18, 2026

The city of Redmond

The city of Redmond is accepting applications for the Library Board of Trustees. This is open to Redmond residents within the city limits, who have an interest in library-related issues and activities. The board enhances the quality of life in Redmond by advising the mayor and city council on library policy, representing Redmond's interests to the King County Library System, and promoting local interest in the library.

The city is committed to having a board that reflects the diversity of the community and encourages applicants who are passionate about libraries and the role the Redmond Regional Library plays in the community. Members are appointed to three-year terms with a two-term limit.

Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at the Redmond Regional Library. All meetings are currently being held in a hybrid format, with the option of in-person or virtual attendance. All board and commission members are volunteers.

Interested residents are encouraged to complete an online community service application, including a summary of related experience at http://redmond.gov/Commissions/. There is no deadline for applications, but interested community members are encouraged to apply by 5 p.m. on June 30. The position will remain open until filled.

For additional information about the Redmond Library Board of Trustees, contact Deputy City Clerk, Kalli Biegel at kbiegel@redmond.gov, or visit redmond.gov/LibraryBoard.

Jun 17, 2026

Washington Forest Protection Association

The Washington Forest Protection Association announced that Jason Cross will serve as its new director of Forest Operations and Environmental Programs, bringing more than two decades of experience in silvicultural science, forest management research, data modeling, and natural resource policy analysis to the organization.

In this role, Cross will provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership on forest management, Washington's forest practices regulatory framework, and related state and federal requirements. And as part of WFPA's commitment to grounding work and policy in science and best-practices, Cross will apply strong technical analysis and help translate applied science into practical policy guidance to support solutions and approaches that protect public resources while maintaining a viable forest products industry. Cross also will help track rulemaking, implementation issues and agency guidelines affecting forest operations.

Cross joins WFPA after serving as a principal with the Stand Management Cooperate at the University of Washington, independent consultant, and researcher. Cross is a University of Washington graduate, earning a MS in Silviculture and Stand Dynamics as well as bachelor's degrees in Forest Management and Mathematics.

Cross joins WFPA as longtime Forest Operations and Environmental Programs leader Doug Hooks remains with the association through 2026 to support a smooth transition.

The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) represents private forest landowners growing and harvesting trees on about 4 million acres in Washington State.

Jun 16, 2026

City of Seattle

Smith

The city of Seattle welcomes Shannon Smith as its new chief technology officer. Joining Mayor Katie B. Wilson's leadership team, Smith will play a pivotal role in advancing the administration's commitment to transparency, accountability, and community-centered service.

Smith has led local government technology for over 18 years in Seattle, Bellevue, and King County. She has been noted nationally for her expertise in AI, data governance, and cybersecurity for local government leadership by the National Association of Counties, and she has spoken on these topics at various national and state organizations.

Smith brings over a decade of deep expertise in government technology to her new role. Most recently, she served as director of Public Sector — Local Government — at CAI, where she led strategic planning and implementation of cutting-edge initiatives in cybersecurity, AI, and health and human services across city and county agencies. She is also a certified government chief information officer (CGCIO), a nationally recognized executive leadership program designed to address some of the most critical issues facing public sector technology leaders.

As chief of staff for the King County chief information officer, she was accountable for all technology implemented during the King County-Seattle Public Health's COVID-19 response.

The CTO reports to the mayor and serves on the mayor's cabinet, with overall responsibility for vision, strategy, and leadership of information technology resources, as well as for the management of the work of Seattle IT. The Seattle IT department employs 633 people, and the CTO is responsible for an annual operating budget of $280 million with a capital budget of $20 million.

Jun 12, 2026

Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition

Lemay

The Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition (PNBRC) has appointed Lionel Lemay as chairperson. A leader in engineering, sustainability, and industry advocacy, Lemay is known for building high performing teams and programs that advance innovation and growth across the building materials sector.

Lemay is the founder and CEO of ConcreteNexus LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening resiliency, innovation, and sustainability in the concrete industry through education, certification, and building codes and standards advocacy.

Prior to founding ConcreteNexus, Lemay served in several senior leadership roles, including executive vice president at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) for 21 years, managing director at the Portland Cement Association (PCA) for 10 years, and director of engineering at Hansen Lind Meyer for seven years.

He is a registered professional engineer and structural engineer in Illinois, a LEED accredited professional, and an active member of ACI, ASTM, and ASCE committees. Lemay holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering and applied mechanics from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

Lemay succeeds Bill Larson, who is retiring after 10 years as Chairperson.

PNBRC’s mission is to unite the resources of the cement, concrete, masonry, and reinforcing steel industries to position concrete, through education and advocacy, as the material of choice for low-, mid-, and high-rise construction across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.

Highline College

George

Des Moines City Attorney Tim George has been named Highline College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus for his impact in creating public spaces and services for the community he grew up in.

With all city projects requiring his legal sign-off before moving forward, the South King County native views his role as a problem solver. If issues arise, he fixes them to keep the project on track and on time. Some of the projects George has approved include the Link light-rail extension, marina improvements, a fishing pier replacement, new parks and forested areas.

Starting as a Running Start student, George graduated from Highline with an associate degree in 2002, and said that having grown up in the area, it’s especially rewarding to give back to the community that gave him so much.

Harking back to his years at Highline, George’s interest in law was sparked by a few criminal justice classes. He also took writing classes and discovered an interest and a talent for writing that was ignited by his professor.

After graduating from Highline, George pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Washington and a Juris Doctor degree at California Western School of Law.