Ms. Cecilia Welch, the civilian legal assistance attorney and subject matter expert at Region Legal Service Office Northwest (RLSO NW) Whidbey Island, was recently selected by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) to receive its 2018 Family Law Section Award for Attorney of the Year.
Ms. Welch was presented with the award on June 30 at the WSBA’s Midyear Conference in Blaine, Wash. This award was presented in appreciation for Welch’s outstanding contributions to the quality of family law practice in Washington state. Welch currently is the only legal assistance attorney working out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). In that role, she is responsible for providing legal assistance to the 8,500 active duty service members stationed aboard NASWI and their 8,900 dependents. Her work ensures these service members maintain mission focus and are deployment-ready.
This is especially critical given NASWI’s remote location. In addition to her main duties, Welch coordinates monthly training for all RLSO NW legal assistance attorneys. These evolutions bring in leading experts in Washington state law to train RLSO NW legal assistance personnel on everything from guardianship to state-specific military protections.
Welch’s connections to the broader Washington state bar ensure that the best and most up-to-date advice is provided across the Northwest Region. Upon notification of receipt of this prestigious award, Welch stated, “I am truly honored to accept the award in connection to my service to military families here at NAS Whidbey.” Bravo Zulu on this outstanding accomplishment!