November 2001

Changing Venues

Correction: The October issue of Bar News incorrectly stated that Roger A. Felice has been selected to serve as president-elect of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA). Further, Steven G. Toole was identified as the new president of WSTLA. In fact, Mr. Felice is the current WSTLA president, and Mr. Toole is president-elect. Bar News apologizes for these errors.

Washington Defense Trial Lawyers presented Michael H. Runyan with the Jack P. Scholfield Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding loyalty, leadership, commitment and support for the goals and objectives of the civil defense trial bar. Mr. Runyan is a partner and co-chair of the commercial litigation department in the Seattle office of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP.

Donald S. Cohen has been honored as Citizen of the Year by the City of Mercer Island. He was recognized for his service as a 10-year member of the city’s planning commission, including five years as chair. Mr. Cohen works in the Seattle office of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell, Malanca, Peterson & Daheim PLLC.

Sohee Ahn has been elected secretary, and Elizabeth C. Chambers has joined the board of directors of the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center.

Barry M. Kaplan, a partner with Perkins Coie, has joined the board of directors of Legal Aid for Washington (LAW) Fund.

The Bainbridge Island Kiwanis Club has honored Lawrence R. Mills as Bainbridge Citizen of the Year. He was chosen for his charitable work and fundraising on behalf of several Bainbridge Island causes. Mr. Mills is a partner in the Seattle firm Mills Meyers Swartling.

King County Superior Court Judge Donald D. Haley and Seattle lawyer Payton Smith have been elected fellows of the American Bar Foundation, in recognition of outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and to the highest principles of the legal profession.

Nine lawyers in the Seattle office of Cozen O’Connor were named "Superlawyers" by Washington Law & Politics magazine. They are Richard F. Allen, William L. Black, J.C. Ditzler, Curt E.H. Feig, John A. Granger, Thomas M. Jones, Jodi A. McDougall, Christopher W. Nicoll and Timothy J. Tompkins.

The Spokane County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program honored the following lawyers for outstanding pro bono service: Mary P. Chavez, J. Steve Jolley, Paul L. Kirkpatrick, Ian Ledlin, William T. Mableson, Edith M. Martinez, Linda D. O’Dell, Kevin D. O’Rourke and Juliana C. Repp.

Michael J. Bayley and Vicky L. Higby have joined the Spokane office of Paine, Hamblen, Coffin, Brooke & Miller LLP as associates. Mr. Bayley’s practice emphasizes estate planning, trust and probate administration, and estate taxation. Ms. Higby practices general litigation.

R. Alan Burnett has joined the Seattle office of Lane Powell Spears Lubersky LLP as an associate focusing on aircraft finance. J. Duncan Findlay has joined the firm as a partner. He concentrates on the business operations of design professionals, emphasizing loss prevention practices, financial operations, and contracting for the design of large projects.

Robert C. Hahn has been named partner in the Spokane firm now known as Raugust & Hahn PLLC. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy, personal injury and immigration.

Frank Abramonte has become a partner in the Seattle firm Seed I.P. Law Group. He is a member of the firm’s electrical engineering group, and his practice emphasizes domestic and foreign patent prosecution in electrical, software and electromechanical engineering.

Laura Kleisle, David A. Larson, Susan E. Lehr and Darryl V. Wareham have joined the Seattle office of Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC. Ms. Kleisle, an associate, focuses on construction litigation including design professional malpractice and construction defect disputes. Mr. Larson is of counsel to the firm, and emphasizes the litigation and mediation of construction defect, personal injury, and insurance coverage issues. Ms. Lehr is also of counsel, and she represents clients in the areas of securities, business transactions, tax, corporate and real estate law. Mr. Wareham is an associate focusing on land use, environmental and water law.

Kevin W. Mickey has joined Etter, McMahon, Lamberson & Clary PC in Spokane as an associate. His practice includes civil litigation, small estate planning, and creditor representation in bankruptcy.

Robert King and Jean C. Seidler have joined Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland as associates in the Seattle firm’s litigation group. Mr. King focuses on commercial litigation, and Ms. Seidler focuses on employment litigation.

Wendy L. Rocke has joined Preston Gates & Ellis as an associate in the Seattle office. She is developing a practice in trusts and estates.

Paul R. Willett has joined Short Cressman & Burgess in Seattle. He is of counsel, and is a member of the firm’s business and taxation practice section where he concentrates on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and general business representation.

L. John Iani has been appointed Seattle regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He supervises the enforcement of air, water and pollution cleanup laws in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

Wendy J. Batchelor has joined the Seattle office of Foster Pepper Schefelman as of counsel. Ms. Batchelor focuses on intellectual property, including copyright, trademarks, data protection and privacy, licensing issues, and international joint ventures. Brian D. DeSoto, Kol W. Medina, Alice M. Ostdiek, and Ramsey E. Ramerman have joined the firm as associates. Mr. DeSoto focuses on creditors’ rights and bankruptcy. Mr. Medina concentrates on real estate, land use and estate planning. Ms. Ostdiek’s practice focuses on municipal law and public finance. Mr. Ramerman practices commercial litigation.

Pierre Gianni, of Bellevue, died August 25 at age 53. He was a partner with his wife, Monica Gianni, in The Gianni Law Firm PLLC. He previously worked as an international tax and legal consultant for the U.S. government, CPA firms in the U.S. and Africa, and a major law firm and international corporation in Paris. A native of Corsica, France, Mr. Gianni received degrees in law and political science from the University of Aixen-Provence in France. He also received an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Washington.

Ellensburg lawyer David A. Pitts died August 3 at age 60. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Pitts taught political science at Central Washington University, worked as a campaign manager and speech writer for Don Bonker and Booth Gardner, and served as a research analyst for Congressman Brock Adams. He served on the Central Washington University board of trustees for seven years, and on the Department of Fisheries’ Salmon Advisory Council for three years. Memorials may be made to APOYO (111 Peavine Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926) or Ducks Unlimited (1 Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120).

Lifelong Oak Harbor resident and devoted Husky football fan Theodore D. (Ted) Zylstra died September 12 at age 67. He practiced law on Whidbey Island from 1957 until his retirement last year from Zylstra, Beeksma & Waller. Mr. Zylstra served on the WSBA Board of Governors from 1983 to 1986, and was a member of the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, and Island County Bar Association. He also served as president of the North Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Oak Harbor Jaycees, Oak Harbor Rotary Club, and Oak Harbor Navy League.

Back to table of contents >>