Peter Abbarno
Peter Abbarno is a community leader, partner with Althauser Rayan Abbarno, State Representative serving the 20th Legislative District, and most importantly, a husband and father.
Education
Peter attended the State University of New York at Fredonia, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. For almost 10 years, Peter worked in the field of government and politics. He earned a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School in 2008, and a Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Washington in 2009.
Work History
Peter then worked as a deputy assistant prosecuting attorney in King County Juvenile Court. In 2010, he joined the law firm of Olson Althauser Samuelson and Rayan in Centralia, currently known as Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP. Peter became a partner in 2013.
Throughout his career, Peter has practiced many areas of law, including estate planning, business/corporate law, family law, criminal prosecution and defense, workers’ compensation, and personal injury.
He volunteers time to assist victims of domestic violence and assaults, non-profits, and new entrepreneurs with business formation and business planning.
Public Career
In 2015, Peter was elected to the Centralia City Council, re-elected in 2019, and voted mayor pro tem. In 2020, Peter was elected State Representative for the 20th Legislative District, which includes Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, and Clark counties. In his first legislative election, Peter earned the support of over 71% of the voters. Peter was unopposed in his 2022 re-election campaign.
Charitable and Community Life
Peter is past president and member of the Centralia College Foundation as well as past president of the Lewis County Bar Association and Lewis County Bar Legal Aid, He regularly hosts KELA radio’s “Let’s Talk About It” show, a classroom volunteer with WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) and with the Hub City Mission, and also serves as a mentor at both W.F. West High School and for the Morton High School Mock Trial Team. In addition, Peter and his wife, Holly, started the Centralia Back-to School supply drive, and he has coached Little League Baseball, the Centralia Youth Soccer team, and Centralia Parks and Recreation Basketball.
Recognitions
Rep. Abbarno holds numerous awards for outstanding community involvement. In 2012, he was named one of the top 20 professionals under the age of 40 in Lewis County. In 2018, 2020-2023, Daily Chronicle readers voted Peter as the “Best Volunteer” in Lewis County. In 2019, he received the “Economic Development Leadership Award” from the Lewis Economic Development Council, the “Human Rights Award” from the Church Women United organization and was voted the “Best Elected Official” in Lewis County. In 2020, Peter was named “Person of the Year” by the Daily Chronicle editorial board.
Althauser Rayan Abbarno has been recognized by KEAL-KMNT radio listeners with the 2023 adn 2024 “Listener’s Choice” Award for Law Firm, Injury Attorneys, Estate Planning Attorneys, Family Law Attornies, and Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Personal Life
Peter enjoys spending time with his wife, Holly (Hawes), a math teacher/coach in the Centralia School District, and their two children, Sophia and Antonio. They love to hike, camp, travel, and play soccer!