Perkins Coie's Ellen Dial to Lead WSBA

SEATTLE (September 20, 2006) – Perkins Coie Partner Ellen Conedera Dial was inducted as the 116th president of the Washington State Bar Association on Sept. 14, 2006. A real estate and land use attorney who practices in the firm's Seattle office, she will serve her term in 2006-2007.

Since 1981, Dial has participated in a variety of WSBA activities and has assumed a number of leadership roles, including serving as chair of the Ethics 2003 Committee, the Legislative Committee, the Character and Fitness Committee and the Committee on the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Dial is also known for her leadership and community service outside of the WSBA. She co-chaired the 2004 and 2005 King County Bar Association Awards Committee, is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and frequently speaks at Continuing Legal Education courses on ethics and real estate matters. In 2004, she received the WSBA's highest honor, the Award of Merit. "[Ms. Dial] embodies the best of our profession, a first-rate legal mind, a deep commitment to professionalism and the public role of lawyers and the good sense and judgment we need in a leader," wrote David Boerner, Seattle University School of Law. Dial received her law degree magna cum laude from Cornell Law School and was admitted to the Order of the Coif. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from Cornell University, graduating magna cum laude.