Williams Kastner’s Julio Carranza, a Foster Care Alumnus, Appointed to Washington State Supreme Court Commission

Julio Carranza has been named to the Washington State Supreme Court’s Commission on Children in Foster Care. From orphan to advocate, Carranza emerged as a former foster youth from the California and Idaho foster care systems and received a Juris Doctorate degree from Brigham Young University Law School. He now practices law in the Seattle office of Williams Kastner.

Officially formed in February of 2005, the Commission was established in an effort to improve the working relationship between Washington courts and child welfare agencies. Co-Chaired by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe J. Bridge and the head of DSHS’s Children’s Administration, Uma Ahluwalia, the Commission represents a collaborative effort to increase communication between key parties involved in monitoring the safety and well-being of children in foster care systems.

As an appointed member, Carranza will work to execute the strategic goals of the Commission, which include monitoring and reporting on the level of responsiveness of the courts and child welfare programs to the needs of foster children, increasing public awareness and support, and diversifying the range of outreach prospects “beyond individual agency directors and elected officials.” Fellow Commission members include Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna and 24th Legislative District Senator James Hargrove.

Carranza’s dedication to children and youth translates into his Indian Law practice, as he aspires to represent Indian families in various legal matters. He has recently been appointed to the Mockingbird Society Board of Directors, where he will assist the non-profit organization in advocating for Tribal and Latino foster youth throughout Washington.

About Williams Kastner
Williams Kastner has been serving clients in the Pacific Northwest since 1929. With more than 90 attorneys in three offices located throughout Washington and Oregon as well as affiliated offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, the firm offers a full range of legal services to local and international clients. Its website address is www.williamskastner.com/. “

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