Meet Jorge
Jorge L. Barón's formative experiences as an immigrant greatly shaped his path as a civil rights leader. Jorge arrived in the United States from Bogotá, Colombia at the age of 13 and did not speak English, which led to bullying in school. He also had to assist his mom in raising his two younger brothers while she worked often late hours. Those experiences instilled in him a deep appreciation for hard work and resilience.
Despite initially not speaking English, Jorge's dedication and the support of an exceptional ESL teacher enabled him to overcome language barriers and excel academically. This experience fostered his love for this country and a profound understanding of the power of government. Jorge attended Duke University, propelled by his commitment to education and his desire to make a positive impact. After graduating from Duke, he worked in the film industry as an assistant director. He decided to leave the industry to pursue a career in law and helping people left behind in society. This led him to Yale Law School where he refined his passion for justice and met his wife, Tyler.
Throughout his career as a civil rights leader and Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) for 15 years, Jorge fought tirelessly for what is right and for the safety of individuals and families. He dedicated decades to being a frontline human rights defender, advocating for keeping families together and providing safety to those fleeing violence. Notably, Jorge was a key local leader in responding to the first Trump Administration's policies, including the Muslim Ban, and worked diligently to prevent unjust deportations.
Jorge was elected to the King County Council in November 2023 and began serving in this new role in January 2024. During his time on the council, Jorge has focused on issues that residents of District 4 have asked him to prioritize: ensuring our criminal and civil legal systems are operating effectively and fairly so we can enhance community safety; stabilizing and strengthening our homelessness response system so we can reduce the number of people living unhoused in our region; and protecting our public health clinics and investing in our county hospital, Harborview Medical Center, so we can preserve access to health care. More recently, Jorge has also focused on protecting the county and its residents from misguided policies and unlawful actions from the Trump Administration. For the first two years of his term, Jorge served as chair of the Law and Justice Committee and now serves as chair of the Committee of the Whole. As a sign of the respect he has earned from his colleagues, Jorge was unanimously selected as a vice-chair of the council after only two years of service on the body.
Jorge's leadership and commitment to upholding justice and equality have been recognized through numerous interviews, articles, and awards. Community leaders have praised his efforts in defending civil rights. Now Governor Bob Ferguson, for example, credits Jorge as the driving force behind the establishment of the civil rights division in the Attorney General's office.
Motivated by his experiences and the desire to improve the lives of marginalized communities, Jorge ran for office in 2023 to continue his work and strengthen the county's critical safety net.
Beyond his work, Jorge also has personal interests and hobbies including a deep love for nature, as well as a lifelong love of fútbol (soccer). Additionally, he finds solace in the Pacific Northwest wilderness through activities like backpacking, hiking, and snowshoeing, often sharing these experiences with his wife and children. He is a proud husband to Tyler, and father to Isabella, Luna, and Luca.
Awards and Recognition
MLK Medal of Distinguished Service - King County Council, 2018
Man of Integrity - UW Women’s Center, 2018
Roberto Felipe Maestas Legacy Award, El Centro de La Raza, 2017
President’s Award, Washington State Labor Council, 2017
Most Influential Seattleites, Seattle Magazine, 2017
Gerhard Letzing Public Justice Award, Washington State Association for Justice, 2017
Leadership and Community Service Award, Sea-Mar Community Health Centers, 2017
Friend of the Legal Profession Award, King County Bar Association, 2016
Community Service Award, Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP), 2015
Pro Bono Award, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington Chapter, 2013
Model of Excellence Award, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, 2012
Social Justice Visionary Award, Casa Latina, 2012
40 Under 40, Puget Sound Business Journal, 2009
Civic Engagement
Appointed by the Washington State Legislature to serve on Joint Legislative Task Force on Deadly Force in Community Policing, 2016
Appointed by State Attorney General Bob Ferguson to Attorney General Transition Committee, 2012
Appointed by Governor Chris Gregoire to serve on Washington State’s New Americans Policy Council, 2008-2009
Member, Seattle 2020 Census Task Force, 2019-2020
Member, Washington State Access to Justice Board’s Delivery Systems Committee, 2010-2023
Member, Washington State Office of Crime Victims Advocacy, Crime Victim Service Centers Advisory Committee, 2016-2023
Member, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), Steering Committee, 2017-2021
Member, King County Domestic Violence Initiative Task Force, 2012-2015