05/21/2026
Dear Partners, Supporters, and Friends of FIRST Legal Clinic,
FIRST Legal Clinic is thrilled to announce the appointment of Robert D. Wyman Jr. as our new Executive Director, effective August 1, 2026.
Rob is no stranger to FIRST Legal Clinic. He has been a partner and champion of our mission since the very beginning, supporting and believing in this work from day one. His appointment reflects not only his deep commitment to the Clinic’s vision but also the natural progression of a relationship built on shared values, mutual respect, and an unwavering belief that families deserve better from our child welfare system.
Rob brings over two decades of experience in child welfare law and systems change. He holds both a JD and MSW from the University of Denver and is a member of the Washington State Bar. As a former Supervising Attorney at The Defender Association, he led a division of attorneys representing children and parents in dependency, termination, and related proceedings in King County Superior Court—managing a caseload of over 500 cases and supervising 30 attorneys and 12 interns. He went on to co-direct the Court Improvement Training Academy at the University of Washington School of Law, where he supported data-informed juvenile court reform on a county and statewide basis.
Most recently, Rob has served as a Senior Director at Casey Family Programs, where he has worked with juvenile courts and their partners across the country to safely reduce the number of children in out-of-home care. Throughout his career, he has been a leading voice in racial equity in child welfare, a published author in the field, and a nationally recognized presenter on topics ranging from resilience-oriented court systems to ethical legal practice.
Rob has consistently pointed to FIRST Legal Clinic as a model for the nation and has worked to replicate its approach in other jurisdictions. We are honored that he is now stepping into a leadership role to guide the Clinic into its next chapter of statewide and national impact.
We look forward to the work ahead and are grateful for your continued partnership.
