Julie Sommer is an attorney in Seattle, Washington litigating civil and administrative matters at the administrative, trial and appellate court levels. Her areas of expertise include trust and estate planning, administration, contested estates and guardianships, fiduciary representation, and contract and civil litigation. 

In addition to her service with the Drake Group, Julie serves on the Education Working Group and assists in federal policy development and lobbying efforts in the area of collegiate sports reform. Julie is a recognized expert on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy and participated in the Uniform Law Commission’s NIL effort from 2020-21 to develop a national uniform NIL policy. A frequent speaker on NIL, she has also been published by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Forbes.com, The Seattle Times and Sportico.com among other media. In 2009, Julie joined the Seattle law firm of Reed Longyear, PLLC and earned partnership status after three years of practice at the firm. After expanding her legal experience at the firm, she started her own law practice. Recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Washington, she is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association, King County (Seattle) Bar Association and Sports Lawyers Association.

A native of Martins Ferry, Ohio, Julie earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin where she was a member of an NCAA National Championship swim team. Listed among the top ten in the World Swim Rankings, she was also a member of the United States Swimming National Team. She was an individual Conference champion as a freshman, NCAA All-American, and competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials. 

During law school, Julie completed internships in the legal department of IMG headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio and at the Women’s Sports Foundation in New York in sports advocacy. Additionally, Julie served as a legal intern to The Ohio State University athletic compliance office assisting in NCAA compliance education and monitoring.

Julie began her involvement with The Drake Group as a member of the working committee and assisting in policy lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.. Currently serving as President-Elect, Julie will assume the role of Board President in 2024.