August 2000

Changing Venues

Honors and Awards

The Honorable Richard A. Jones, a King county superior court judge, has been elected to serve a two-year term as board chair of the YMCA of Greater Seattle.

Clark County Superior Court Judge James Ladley has been named Judge of the Year by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.

Governor Gary Locke appointed Mary Yu to the King County Superior Court bench, replacing retired Judge Janice Niemi.

Laura McAloon was the recipient of the Gonzaga University School of Law Morey-Maurice Award for Service and Leadership. The award, established this year, will be presented each year to a graduating Gonzaga law student who has made an extraordinary contribution to both service and leadership while attending GU.

The Seattle office of Perkins Coie LLP has promoted the following attorneys to partner status. Zane A. Brown is a member of the labor and employment law department, where his practice focuses on defense of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge claims; wage and hour issues; employee handbooks; labor relations; and collective bargaining. John Deery-Schmitt also practices labor and employment law, with an emphasis on collective bargaining, grievance and interest arbitration, wrongful discharge law and litigation, employment discrimination law and litigation, and fire and school district law. Steve Y. Koh, a member of the product liability department, focuses on litigation, product liability, and civil fraud matters. Gregory H. McCall focuses on international business and immigration law as a member of the business department. Kevin C. Osborn is a member of the firm’s product liability department, where his practice emphasizes product liability and aircraft accident litigation. Julia L. Parsons practices general litigation as a member of the litigation department. Joe Silvernale is a new partner in the product liability department, where his practice includes complex litigation, insurance and indemnity disputes, and product regulatory compliance. As a member of the litigation department, James F. Williams focuses his practice on jury and nonjury civil trials, federal and state agency litigation, professional liability litigation, complex business litigation, and case management for plaintiffs and defendants.

Harris Group Inc. in Seattle has appointed C. Anthony Davis as general counsel. Davis’s responsibilities include all legal matters pertaining to the corporation.

Mike Casey has been named corporation counsel for Gonzaga University, succeeding former Washington State Court of Appeals Judge Philip J. Thompson.

Rachelle E. Anderson has become a partner in the law firm of Smith, Hemingway & Anderson PS in Spokane. She started with the firm as an intern in 1995 and became an associate in 1997. Anderson’s primary emphasis is in family law.

The Spokane firm of Solan, Doran, Milhem & Hertel recently announced the re-formation of their firm as Solan Milhem & Hertel PS. They will continue to represent injured and disabled persons in workers’ compensation and social security disability claims.

Thomas Doran’s new practice, the Law Offices of Thomas Doran PLLC, will focus on representation of injured and disabled persons in workers’ compensation and social security claims.

Michael M. "Mick" Fleming has joined the office of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP as a partner. He concentrates his practice in complex dispute resolution, corporate finance and real estate. Stephanie Simmons Ray has become an associate at the firm. She concentrates her practice in intellectual property, Internet and e-commerce, corporate law and business information. Ray is admitted to practice in Illinois as well as Washington.

Rocco "Rocky" N. Treppiedi has joined the Spokane office of Perkins Coie LLP as of counsel. He will practice municipal, civil rights, employment and general commercial litigation.

Three new partners, one of counsel and six new associates have joined the Seattle office of Preston Gates Ellis. Patricia H. Char, partner, focuses her practice on trusts and estates. Andrew R. Kintzinger (member of the Iowa and Minnesota state bars), partner, focuses on public finance with securities and tax concentrations. New partner Steven P. Rowe concentrates his practice in the areas of permitting and compliance, environmental business strategies, environmental management systems design and implementation, and related disputes resolution. As of counsel, Kevin Swan practices in transactional areas of intellectual property, Internet, e-commerce and computer law. Helen Arntson, associate, focuses her practice on employment and labor law. Kelly G. Blazy, James A. Goeke and Philip M. Guess are new litigation associates. Blazy concentrates on construction litigation, and Goeke focuses on personal and corporate civil litigation before state and federal courts. Associate Chad Horner devotes his practice to counseling clients on employment and general management issues, including hiring, discipline, termination, disability issues, family and medical leave laws, wage and hour regulations, and personnel policies. Russell L. Cooper joined the firm as a first-year associate.

Andrea Holburn has joined Betts, Patterson & Mines PS as an associate in the commercial litigation and defense litigation practice areas.

Vitessa Corporation has appointed Ken McGraw to the newly created position of senior vice-president, corporate development and legal affairs, general counsel and secretary. In this role, he is responsible for negotiating key strategic partnerships and alliances, and oversees all of the company’s corporate and legal affairs.

Lee Smart Cook Marten & Patterson PS has elected Steven G. Wraith shareholder of the Seattle firm. His practice emphasizes construction site claims, including building defect, personal injury, death, economic loss and property damage.

Grant County Superior Court Judge Jim Brown passed away March 13, 2000 following a long struggle with cancer. He was 54 years old. Brown was known for his dry, self-deprecating sense of humor, and his ability to remain calm during sometimes emotional proceedings. Until illness forced him off the bench late last year, Brown handled juvenile criminal and dependency matters, and paternity and domestic cases. He served as a superior court judge for 17 years.

John William "Bill" McArdle, of Yakima, died May 24, 2000 at the age of 75. He began practicing law in Yakima in 1950 with the firm of Olson and Palmer, where he remained for 39 years, eventually becoming senior partner. He later served as a public defender in Yakima County Juvenile Court. In 1993, McArdle retired after 43 years in the legal profession. He was active in the Yakima County, Washington State and American Bar Associations, as well as the American Judicature Society and the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

Robert J. Shaw, an award-winning Seattle tax and transaction lawyer, passed away June 11, 2000 at the age of 57. Shaw was featured in American Lawyer magazine as one of the best lawyers in America, and was designated outstanding faculty member at Golden Gate University. He practiced law at Short Cressman & Burgess for 25 years, and taught at the Seattle branch of Golden Gate University.

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