Page 10 - Pierce County Lawyer - March April 2025

TACOMA-PIERCE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
CELEBRATES LEGACY, SERVICE, AND INSPIRATION AT THE
By Nina Caldwell
117th Annual Lincoln Day Banquet
On the evening of
February 7, 2025, the
Tacoma Convention
Center was packed for the
117th Annual Lincoln Day
Banquet, a remarkable
event that celebrated the
legal profession’s dedication
to justice and community
service.
Catherine Case (Immediate Past
President), Liz Johnson, President;
The festivities kicked off with a
Nina Caldwell, President-Elect
lively beer and wine social from
5:30 to 7:00 p.m. hosted by Connelly Law Offices, Gordon
Thomas Honeywell, GLP Attorneys and Sosa Law Firm.
After, the ballroom ended up being filled with over 400 people,
legal professionals and their guests.
Honoring the Past and Present
President Catherine Case began the evening by welcoming
attendees and acknowledging the important role this event
plays in honoring the contributions of those who make a
difference in our legal community and in Pierce County as a
whole. Following was a moment of silence to pay respects to
those we lost in 2024, including prominent members like John
Messina, Ronald Hendry, and Judge David Kenworthy.
Recognition of New Leadership
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of the TPCBA’s
new Board of Trustees and the officers for 2025. Elizabeth
Johnson was introduced as the incoming
President, with Nina Caldwell (that’s me
) as President-Elect and Laura Groves
as Secretary-Treasurer. New Trustees
Jason Johnson, Sven Nelson, and David
Snell were also acknowledged.
Keynote Speaker:
Justice Salvador A. Mungia
The Keynote Speaker for this evening
was Justice Salvador A. Mungia of the
Washington State Supreme Court. Justice Mungia, a son of
immigrants, has dedicated his career to expanding access to
the civil justice system and increasing diversity within the legal
profession. He is the newest member of the Washington State
Supreme Court. He spoke a bit about who Lincoln was as well
as how TPCBA is the best! (well that’s what I heard )
Community Service and Outstanding Achievement Awards
As the evening unfolded, the TPCBA honored several
individuals for their contributions to the legal profession and
community.
• Outstanding Jurist Awards: Commissioner Doris M.
Walkins and Judge Diana L. Kiesel were celebrated for their
exceptional service on the bench. Commissioner Walkins
was commended for her thoughtful and compassionate
approach to justice, while Judge Kiesel was recognized for her
leadership and dedication to equal access to justice.
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