The purpose of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington is to represent the concerns and goals of Latino attorneys and the Latino people of Washington State.

LBAW’s mission is to promote, support, and serve Washington’s Latina/o legal professionals—both current and future—as well as the broader Latino community. We achieve this by:

• Providing professional development opportunities that help our members grow their expertise, build networks, and advance their careers;

• Using legal and advocacy skills to support community members and address critical issues impacting the Latino community; and

• Fostering mentorship, offering scholarships, strengthening professional connections, and celebrating our shared culture.

LBAW is guided by a commitment to service to the community, compassion for others, and selflessness in leadership. LBAW’s aim is to uplift and empower the Latino legal community.

Read the 2025 LBAW Bylaws Here.

Interested in joining LBAW’s Board?

Apply for any open Board positions here!

Board of Directors

Sergio A. Garcidueñas-Sease

Past President

(pastpresident@lbaw.org)

Zaida Carolina Rivera is the proud daughter of hardworking Mexican immigrants and an immigrant herself. Zaida serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law and the Director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC) at Seattle University School of Law where she teaches the Immigrant Justice Clinic and supervises law students representing clients in various immigration matters. Professor Rivera has been practicing immigration law for over eleven years, primarily representing clients in immigration proceedings and humanitarian relief for various immigration legal services providers in Washington State, New York, and New Jersey.

Professor Rivera is passionate about access to justice initiatives and enjoys coordinating and volunteering for legal clinics. She also enjoys participating in law school pipeline programs to encourage underrepresented students to pursue a legal education. Si se puede!

Professor Rivera is a member of the ATJ Delivery Systems’ Undocumented Communities Subcommittee, the Labor Based Deferred Action Coalition, and a fellow for the Washington Leadership Institute Class of 2023. In her free time Professor Rivera enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

President

(president@lbaw.org)

With over ten years of experience as a personal injury attorney, Sergio is passionate about helping survivors receive justice and holding individuals, corporations, and governments accountable. He fiercely advocates for his clients who have suffered harm stemming from serious personal injury; wrongful death; and crimes like sexual assault and harassment.

As a proud Mexican American, Sergio speaks Spanish fluently, allowing him to connect with the marginalized Latino/a community. Since law school, Sergio has volunteered countless hours fighting for the Latino/a community at legal clinics, speaking at community events and protests, and participating in workshops teaching individuals about their legal rights.

During his free time, Sergio loves playing guitar, dabbling in art, birding, listening to Mexican ballad/ranchera music, cooking, and traveling.

Zaida Rivera

Isaac Castaneda

Co-VP of Judicial Evaluations

jec2@lbaw.org

Isaac is a first-generation scholar and attorney, raised by proud immigrant parents from Mexico. Their strength, resilience, and drive shaped his upbringing and instilled in him a strong work ethic from an early age.

His parents taught him to take pride in his identity while also preparing him for the differences and hardships he would encounter. His family encouraged him to recognize injustice where it exists and to commit himself to creating positive change.

Growing up, Isaac spent his summers helping his abuela sell tortas to migrant workers. Once legally able to work, he spent his summers in the agricultural industry. These experiences profoundly shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants. Through both family and personal experience, he witnessed the dignity and perseverance of immigrant laborers, as well as the vulnerabilities they endure—long hours, low wages, limited benefits, and a lack of legal protections. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep sense of justice and a desire to advocate for those whose labor is often undervalued and exploited.

As the first in his family to attend college and law school—and to become an attorney—Isaac carries with him the hopes and dreams of his family. He stands on the shoulders of generations before him, ancestors who worked tirelessly in labor-intensive jobs, and he is committed to honoring their legacy through his work and service to his community.

VP of Communication

(info@lbaw.org)

Nayomi Mendez’s parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States with the dream of a better life. From a very early age, they taught her the value of hard work and encouraged me to seize every opportunity. They would always say that they worked so hard so that her and her brother could pursue their dreams. Recognizing everything that her parents sacrificed to give her a good life, Nayomi has relentlessly pursued her goal of becoming an attorney. Currently, she is a 3L at the University of Washington School of Law, one step closer to accomplishing that goal. 

Nayomi Mendez

Alex Romero

VP of Events

(events@lbaw.org)

Alex Romero is a personal injury attorney dedicated to advocating for individuals during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. As the first-generation child of immigrant parents, he is shaped by his family’s experience navigating complex legal systems. He approaches his work with empathy and a strong focus on fairness.

Alex began his legal career as an Equal Justice Works Fellow at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), where he represented undocumented youth in rural Washington. He later served as a staff attorney and supervising attorney with the Children and Youth Advocacy Project within NWIRP, building deep experience in client-centered advocacy. These skills now guide his personal injury practice as he helps clients recover and move forward after serious injuries.

Diego Rondón Ichikawa

Co-VP of Judicial Evaluations

(jec@lbaw.org)

Diego is an accomplished attorney and passionate advocate for individuals who suffered harm in the areas of product liability, serious personal injury, employment law, and sexual assault and harassment. He serves his clients with compassion and a commitment to hold wrongdoers accountable.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Diego is a native Spanish speaker. He also speaks Japanese and Portuguese, having lived in Japan and Portugal. Diego’s international upbringing and language skills allow him to navigate various cultural contexts with ease. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and camping with his wife and three kids, living a vegan lifestyle, and playing one of his many instruments.

Sonia Rodriguez

Secretary

(secretary@lbaw.org)

Sonia Rodriguez is a Washington attorney dedicated to serving immigrant communities through immigration and related family law work. Her practice centers on protecting families, amplifying vulnerable voices, and guiding clients through complex legal systems with clarity, dignity, and care.


Laura Ramirez

Co-VP of Clinics

(clinics@lbaw.org)

Laura, born and raised in Colombia, is a proud daughter of immigrants and an immigrant herself. Having experienced the challenges of migration firsthand as a child, she deeply understands the barriers that underserved communities—especially immigrant youth and BIPOC individuals—face in accessing education and legal support.

A first-generation college graduate from Central Washington University, Laura has been a dedicated advocate for underserved communities throughout Washington State. Before joining the board, Laura worked with legal nonprofits and volunteered at free legal clinics across the state, providing language support, legal guidance, and a welcoming presence to those navigating complex systems. She also volunteers in Snohomish County, offering bilingual social work services to families in need, especially those who are new to the country.

These experiences sparked her passion for service and strengthened her commitment to pursuing a career in law. Now, as the Co-VP of Clinics at LBAW, she is focused on expanding access to legal services and ensuring that immigrant and low-income communities feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, traveling, and hanging out with her dog, Maxi.

Wendy Martinez Hurtado

Co-VP of Clinics

(clinics2@lbaw.org)

Bio coming soon!

Janet Moran

VP of Membership

(membership@lbaw.org)

Janet is a proud first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants. An original Washingtonian, from a small rural community in Eastern Washington. Currently, she is a 3L student at Seattle University School of Law and will graduate in May 2025. Before law school, Janet spent eight years as an Accredited Representative at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, representing individuals in various immigration matters. As a native Spanish speaker, Janet has continued to be involved with her community by volunteering in law clinics around Washington and as a student advocate with Seattle University Workers’ Rights Clinic.

Janet ends her law school career having served as a mentor, the Marketing, Business, and Events Editor for the Seattle Journal of Technology, Environment, and Innovation Law, a member of the Moot Court Board, and the LBAW Law Student Liaison for the Latinx Law Student Association. She is excited to serve in her new role as the VP of Membership for LBAW.

Janet looks forward to her next chapter and a much-needed break after the bar. She enjoys visiting her family and traveling with her friends and partner when she can.

Daniela Ruiz Ferreyra

Treasurer

(treasurer@lbaw.org)

Daniela attended the University of Washington as an undergraduate and earned her J.D. cum laude from Seattle University School of Law. During law school, she served on the board of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice and was president of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, reflecting her strong commitment to both advocacy and collaborative problem-solving.

After graduating, she began her legal career in Washington, D.C., where she practiced immigration law and worked closely with individuals and families navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system.

In 2021, she returned to the Pacific Northwest and joined the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, she has served in several specialized units, including the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Unit, the Alternative Courts Unit, and the Appellate Unit. Her work focuses on centering justice, equity, and community well-being, particularly for vulnerable and historically marginalized populations.

She is honored to be a part of the LBAW community and remains deeply committed to advancing access to justice and supporting the next generation of Latinx legal professionals.

Susana Ruiz

Immediate Past Treasurer

(past-treasurer@lbaw.org)

Susana Ruiz is a Managing Attorney at S.L. Pitts PC and her primary focus is family law. Originally from Idaho, Susana moved to Seattle to attend UW Law and has been in the PNW for almost 10 years. She enjoys attending Mariners games, hiking, eating ramen, and playing pickleball.

Yasmine Haro

Eastern Washington Representative

(eastern-wa@lbaw.org)

Yasmine Haro earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in December 2024 as part of the first Flex cohort to graduate. She began her legal career as a youth attorney with Legal Counsel for Youth and Children, which brought her to Yakima. She was drawn to working in a rural community with a strong need for legal services and a large Hispanic population. She now works as an Associate Attorney at Meyer, Fluegge & Tenney.

She is the first lawyer in her family and the first woman in her family to graduate from college. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, salsa dancing, and spending time with her rescue dog, Griffin.

Past Presidents

  • 2025 | Zaida C. Rivera

  • 2024 | Andre Dayani

  • 2023 | Tyler Quillin

  • 2022 | Favian Valencia

  • 2021 | Andres Munoz

  • 2020 | Vanessa Arno Martinez

  • 2019 | Debbie Akhbari

  • 2018 | Veronica Quinonez

  • 2017 | Aimee Sutton

  • 2016 | David Perez

  • 2015 | Chach Duarte White

  • 2014 | David Mendoza

  • 2013 | Emily Gonzalez

  • 2012 | Jennifer Sheffield

  • 2011 | Fe Lopez

  • 2010 | Patricia Lally

  • 2009 | Nicole McGrath

  • 2008 | Ciarelle Valdez

  • 2007 | M. Lorena Gonzalez

  • 2006 | Brenda Williams

  • 2005 | Cristobal J. Alex

  • 2004 | Cristobal J. Alex

  • 2003 | Fred Rivera

  • 2002 | Hector Steele Rojas

  • 2001 | Lisa Castanon