April 2003
Around the State
King County Report
by Lindsay Thompson
Part of the tradition of Around the State for decades, until it was killed off in 1995, was the county reports. Each county that wanted one had one. Some picked their correspondent by precise means. For others, destiny called someone. They wrote as often or as little as they liked, in their own voices. I hope to bring back the county reports in greater numbers over the coming years.
In the meantime, there is always a lot going on in King County, where Jim Varnell was the incumbent report writer for years, in the old days. Until we get a new King County reporter, I'll be filling in. Here's the news we've received lately:
It's good to be named J. Todd, for one thing.
Eileen I. McKillop has become a partner at Oles Morrison, Rinker & Baker in Seattle. She does general insurance defense and construction litigation. J. Todd Henry, Bryan A. Kelley (a member of the California State Bar), John N. Carr (construction litigation associates, Seattle office); and Christine V. Williams (ditto, Anchorage office) have also joined the firm.
Lori A. Terry has moved from Preston Gates & Ellis to Foster Pepper & Shefelman as a member in the land use and environmental practice groups. Her expertise includes experience in federal and state environmental permitting and litigation; surface and ground water issues, including all aspects of NPDES and storm-water permitting; the transportation, infrastructure and agribusiness industries; and defending against numerous citizen suits and agency enforcement actions in federal and state claims. W. Gregory Guedel has become a member of the firm in its construction law practice.
On the flip side, Peter Ehrlichman reports: "After 26 enjoyable years (my entire legal career save for a judicial clerkship) at Foster Pepper, I have joined the Seattle office of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. I will be co-chairing its Seattle trial group. With 21 offices and almost 800 lawyers throughout the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, Dorsey is just a little bit bigger than what I've been used to ... but the Seattle office is about the same size as my former firm, and everyone is making me feel quite at home."
Ogden Murphy Wallace has elected Donald Black, Jeffrey Dunbar, Paul Kube, J. Todd Tracy and Brian A. Walker to membership in the firm.
Mark Barak has become an associate (real estate) at Short Cressman & Burgess.
Mark Davidson is the new managing director at Williams Kastner & Gibbs.
Nick Scarpelli, who has been with Carney Badley Spellman since 1974, has been named one of Seattle's best 115 lawyers in a poll conducted by Seattle Magazine. The firm's newsletter editor, lawyer-law librarian Susan Beebe, was honored by the Puget Sound Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication for her editing of the firm newsletter.
Graham & Dunn's Irvin Sandman has been appointed a director and officer of the Seattle-King County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive board.
Whatcom County Report
by Mick Moynihan
Bellingham City Attorney Joan Hoisington recently announced that two new attorneys have been hired to fill vacancies. Peter Ruffato, former King County civil deputy, and Jorge Vera, previously with the Texas Attorney General's Office, are now with the city. However, Mayor Mark Asmundson saw Vera's credentials, stole him from Joan's office, and made him interim planning director. Also from the same office, Les Reardanz was called to active duty for Operation Sandstorm, so they are a bit shorthanded.
And while on the subject, Nancy Neal, formerly with the Chmelik law firm, is working 15-20 hours per week prosecuting for the city. That should keep the wolves away for a while until she can get her practice established.
Dave McEachran, who has been prosecuting here in the county for the past 100 years or so, stated that he is fortunate to obtain the services of Tom Verge, recently unelected Skagit prosecutor, and also Karl Munson, another transfer from Skagit County. Verge will be in juvenile court, and Munson will be assigned to district court.
Bert Kale, who is probably unknown to most of the attorneys in Whatcom County, served as superior court judge from 1952 to 1972. Bert is now playing golf at least five days per week, which is pretty good for an old fellow like him who is about to turn 90 (that's years, not his golf score). Tut Asmundson finally hung up his golf bag. Once he starting shooting his age, 96, the thrill went away.
Craig Chambers has been seen driving his old five-window pickup around town. He said that he is getting a few repairs made in anticipation of a new paint job this spring. I think the truck is older than he is and better looking, too.
Korean American Bar Association of Washington
The Korean American Bar Association of Washington (KABA) held its third annual dinner on January 24 at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. Over 70 in attendance, including attorneys, judges, law students and the deputy consul general of the Republic of Korea, gathered to hear remarks from keynote speaker Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, executive director of the Washington State Office of the Forecast Council.
At the dinner, KABA announced its elected board for 2003: John Chun – president, Jongwon Yi – president-elect, Joong-Bin (J.B.) Im – secretary, and Peter Kim – treasurer; advisory board: Sang Chae, Yong Han, Benjamin Lee; board members at large: Grace Han, Rachel Han, Elizabeth Kim, Eugene Kim, Miry Kim and Julie Yee; and law school liaisons: Susan Chang and Dinah Choi.
The Judiciary
Retired King County Superior Court Judge J. Kathleen Learned has joined Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS) in Seattle. Judge Learned served as a judge in King County Superior Court from 1988 to 2002. From 1979 to 1988, she was a partner with Schroeter, Goldmark and Bender. As a trial attorney her practice emphasized professional negligence, including medical and legal malpractice; product liability; employment discrimination based on disability, gender and race; and general personal injury. Judge Learned served as a deputy in both the civil division (1977 to 1979) and criminal division (1975 to 1977) of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. She was chief of the King County Superior Court Civil Department (1997), chair of the Judges ADR Committee in King County Superior Court (1990 to 1996), and a member of King County Superior Court's Delay Reduction Task Force.
Judge Learned was a member of the WSBA ADR Council (1993 to 1995), a member of the Washington State Gender & Justice Implementation Committee (1990 to 1993), a member of the Medical/Legal Committee of the Seattle-King County Bar Association (1985 to 1988), and a member of the Court Congestion Committee of the Seattle-King County Bar Association (1986 to 1988). She also served as an arbitrator with the King County Mandatory Arbitration Panel from 1985 to 1988. Judge Learned was a co-founder and board member (1975 to 1981) of the Northwest Women's Law Center.
Judge Learned earned her J.D. with honors from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1974, where she also received the Am Jur Award in Criminal Law. She earned her M.A. in political science from the University of Washington in 1967 and her B.A. in political science from the University of Washington in 1965.
U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Rothstein has been appointed director of the Federal Judicial Center, a national education and research body created by Congress in 1967. She is expected to serve in the position for at least four years. Although she will leave the bench to take the position, by law she can resume her judgeship after she leaves the center's directorship. A former King County superior court judge and UW law professor, Judge Rothstein was appointed to the federal bench by President Carter in 1980.
Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge issued a public apology March 3 after a February 28 incident in which she was arrested for DUI and striking a parked vehicle near her Seattle home. "On Friday evening I made an extremely poor decision and drove my car after having too much to drink," she said. "As a result, I was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop immediately after striking an unoccupied vehicle. I know my behavior was inexcusable. I apologize to the people of the state of Washington, to my fellow members of the State Supreme Court, and to my family and friends. There are not words to describe how deeply remorseful I am. I thank God no one was hurt.
"This incident has caused me to take a serious look at my use of alcohol. It is not an issue to be taken lightly, and I pledge to take every step necessary to address it. I am going to seek a professional alcohol evaluation and will diligently pursue any recommended treatment. The people of this state have a right to expect that their public officials will admit their errors and deal with the consequences with integrity and honesty. The events of Friday evening were my fault, and I accept full responsibility. No one is more disappointed in me than I am.
"I have devoted my professional career and much of my personal life as well to serving the public. It has been a privilege to do so, and I hope to continue to serve the people of our state on the Supreme Court for many years to come. I have always dealt with challenges in my life in a direct and forthright way. I will deal with this too as honestly and openly as I can. Again, I offer my deepest apology. Thank you."
Justice Bridge's attorney told Seattle reporters the case would be handled in the ordinary course of things. Justice Bridge said she did not plan to resign her seat. She was appointed to the Court in 2000 to succeed Chief Justice Barbara Durham, and was elected to a full term in November 2002.
Changes/Relocations/Honors
Former Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney Bradley W. Andersen has joined Portland-based Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt as a shareholder. He works in the firm's Vancouver office and plans to open an outpost for the firm in Stevenson.
The Yakima firm Halverson Applegate has hired Sara Pirk (a member of the Oregon State Bar) as an associate. Her practice focuses on environmental law.
Stoel Rives has made Timothy McMahan a partner in its Vancouver office.
Peter Koehler Jr. has left Portland's Tonkon Torp to become regional counsel/USA and the Americas for Nike, Inc., a firm client. Koehler joined Tonkon Torp in 1987 after practicing in Seattle.
Tacoma's Gordon Thomas Honeywell Malanca Peterson & Daheim has won an Aurora Award for a video the firm funded that helped win a $1.5 million settlement for a client. Elsewhere around town, Dennis Harlowe and Michael Hitt have opened Harlowe & Hitt LLP to do business, trusts and estates, and bankruptcy law. Other members of the firm are Alfred Falk, Lee Humphreys and Mario Parisio; Laura Weselmann is the firm associate.
In Spokane, Winston & Cashatt has added Joshua Rataezyk to the firm's construction and bankruptcy rosters in the home office. Constance Shields has joined Huppin Ewing Anderson & Paul, Spokane, as an associate. Robyn L. Pugsley opened her firm in Spokane January 1, 2003, eponymously named.
