Brad Bondy, brother of Attorney General Pam Bondy, faced a significant defeat in his attempt to lead the DC Bar Association, according to the organization’s announcement on Monday.
Bondy, who serves as the global co-chair of the law firm Paul Hastings’ survey and white-collar defense divisions, garnered only 3,490 votes, accounting for 9.1% in the presidential election. His challenger, employment lawyer Diane Seltzer, secured 34,982 votes, representing 90.9% of the total.
While the DC Bar does not handle matters of lawyer discipline, concerns have been raised by those critical of President Trump about possible influence from his allies as tensions between the White House and the legal community continue to escalate.
Seltzer, who operates her own employment law firm and has the endorsement of nearly 20 former DC Bar Chairs, will officially begin her presidency on July 1, 2026.
The DC Bar stands as the largest unified bar association in the United States, with around 121,000 members. Bondy expressed his commitment to maintaining the non-partisan nature of the organization amid worries about his leadership aspirations.
“The D.C. Bar is not a political organization, and it won’t be,” he stated, emphasizing his vision for increased participation and improved technology as part of his campaign.
Bondy has previously interacted with high-profile figures such as Elon Musk and associated groups seeking to acquire TikTok. He stated, “I will fight fiercely against any attempts to alter its non-political stance, whether from outside or within.”
Alicia Long also fell short in her bid for Treasurer, gaining 8,854 votes (25.1%), while cybersecurity attorney Amanda Morina triumphed with 26,380 votes (74.9%).
During a press conference on Monday, DC Bar CEO Robert Spagnoletti noted that this election achieved unprecedented voter engagement among members.
With approximately 38,646 votes cast, the turnout of eligible voters reached 43.26%, compared to just 7,444 votes in the past 50 years for similar elections.
He described the turnout as “extraordinary, to say the least,” adding that many members have stepped up for leadership roles, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to non-political leadership.
