Employment attorney Diane Seltzer emerged victorious in a closely watched election to lead the D.C. Bar Association, triumphing over securities lawyer Brad Bondi in a race marked by a historic voter turnout. Seltzer secured over 90% of the electronic votes, with D.C. Bar CEO Bob Spagnoletti confirming no issues in the voting process. The election saw a remarkable 38,000 participants, a significant increase from typical turnouts, reflecting unprecedented member engagement.

The election encapsulated the broader tensions within the American legal system this year, with one of the key candidates being the brother of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Against the backdrop of recent Justice Department actions and White House interventions targeting legal professionals and firms, Seltzer’s campaign emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring a safe environment for attorneys to fulfill their duties.

In contrast, Brad Bondi, who has represented prominent figures like Elon Musk and the Trump Media & Technology Group, aimed to maintain the bar’s nonpartisan stance and focus on initiatives such as free training programs and increased pro bono work. Bondi expressed disappointment over the election’s descent into partisan politics, criticizing the injection of baseless attacks and identity politics into what he envisioned as a professional campaign. The election’s politicization strayed from the traditional ethos of D.C. Bar elections, prompting Bondi to denounce the shift towards voting based on political affiliations rather than the institution’s best interests.