09/15/2026
Member Spotlight 🌟 Favian Valencia
We’re proud to spotlight Favian Valencia, a civil rights attorney, founder of Sunlight Law, PLLC in Yakima, and a proud past president and current member of LBAW. His work focuses on employment law litigation in federal and state courts across the state.
A Few Words From Favian:
What inspired you to pursue law?
I grew up in a Mexican migrant farmworker family and saw early how hard people work while still struggling to be heard or treated fairly. Law gave me a way to understand power, stand up for people, and help make the system more accessible to our communities.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences or accomplishments?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been building my own law firm in Yakima and using it to represent workers, families, and individuals in civil rights cases. Serving as president of LBAW was also deeply meaningful because it allowed me to help strengthen a community that has supported so many Latino lawyers across Washington.
How has being a part of LBAW impacted you personally or professionally?
LBAW has given me mentorship, friendship, leadership opportunities, and a reminder that none of us has to walk this path alone. It helped me grow not only as an attorney, but as someone committed to opening doors for the next generation.
Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for other members or recent law graduates?
Do not wait until you feel completely ready to lead, start something, try the case, or start your own firm. Your background, your story, your language, and your community are strengths—use them to serve, lead, and make the profession better.
Additional thoughts:
I am grateful to LBAW for the role it has played in my life and for the leaders who continue to carry the work forward. Also, I’m the host of the “Soul Centered Attorney” podcast where I interview attorneys about their practice, check it out wherever you find your podcasts, here’s a link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/77afGzutZgyBVlAOFjjJV4?si=izws4FEnSv-etML7vn16Lg
