July 2002 

Changing Venues

Michael D. Stein has been appointed vice-chair of the American Intellectual Property Law Association's Electronic and Computer Law Committee. His year-long commitment begins in October.

The following lawyers have received awards from the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL): Simmie A. Baer, William O. Douglas Award; John Rodgers, President's Award; Don Westerman, President's Award; David Zuckerman, President's Award; Senator Adam Kline, Champion of Justice Award.

Seattle attorney Jeffery P. Robinson has been elected president of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on the WACDL board of governors since 1999. Other newly elected officers are: Roger Hunko, president-elect; Bill Bowman, vice-president/West; Rick Fasy, vice-president/East; Kris Costello, secretary; Barry Flegenheimer, treasurer. New members of the WACDL board of governors are Rene Cespedes, Dan Fessler, Kim Gordon, Amanda Lee and Mary Logan.

The Washington State YMCA Youth and Government program presented Attorney General Christine O. Gregoire with the Justice Robert F. Utter Award for demonstrating positive values, service-oriented leadership, service to youth, and work to preserve the true mission of democratic government.

Newly elected officers of the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys are Judy Zeider, president; Gail Gorud, first vice-president; Chuck Zimmerman, second vice-president; Robin Jenkinson, immediate past-president; Cynthia Martinez, board member; James Pidduck, board member; and Michael Weight, board member.

Glenn Amster has been elected chairman of the board of trustees for Cornish College of the Arts. He has been a board member since 1998.

Dick Swanson and Carla Dewberry have been appointed to the Tobacco Settlement Authority (TSA) by Governor Gary Locke. The TSA will make decisions relating to the sale of $450 million in bonds from the state's tobacco-settlement funds.

The 2002 Governor's Award for Volunteer Service has been presented to George Haldeman for his work as a parent trust group facilitator. He has served more than 1,000 hours as a facilitator at the Ryther Child Center in Lake City, and has appeared before the state Legislature as an advocate for policies that support children and families.

J. Vernon Williams has received the YMCA Legacy Award for sustained volunteer contributions to the YMCA of Greater Seattle. His service began in 1965, when he joined the board of directors.

Kent Municipal Court Judge Robert McSeveney has received the Outstanding Judge of the Year Award from the Washington State District and Municipal Court Judges' Association. Judge McSeveney has been the Kent Municipal Court judge for eight years, and is an appointed portability judge for King County Superior Court.

Tacoma lawyer Ken Luce has received the U.S. Navy Superior Public Service Award, the highest civilian award bestowed by the Navy. Mr. Luce spearheaded an initiative to amend APR 8 to provide broader legal assistance to enlisted personnel.

Jody Kuiper has joined the Seattle firm Betts, Patterson & Mines as an associate in the complex litigation group, focusing on commercial litigation, insurance defense, and coverage disputes.

Robert S. Mahler has been named managing director of the Seattle firm MacDonald, Hoague & Bayless. He concentrates on white-collar criminal defense.

Dawn L. Findlay and Adam G. Snyder have been elected shareholders of Inslee, Best, Doezie & Ryder PS in Bellevue. Laurence A. Young has joined the firm as an associate.

Former Washington Court of Appeals Judge Walter E. Webster Jr. has joined the Mercer Island firm Lybeck Murphy as of counsel. He leads the firm's appellate practice group. Craig E. Coombs and Janet H. Somers have joined the firm as partners. Heath Fox is a new associate.

Steven Gonzalez has been appointed King County Superior Court judge. He previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney, prosecuting organized crime, identity theft and child-prostitution cases.

Richard A. Moore has joined the Seattle office of Buck & Gordon as an associate, focusing on commercial real estate transactions.

Greg Costello has joined the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) as executive director. The WELC is an independent, nonprofit environmental law firm that provides legal assistance, typically without charge, to local citizen groups, Indian tribes, conservation groups, and rural governments.

Adam G.S. Chanak died May 8 at age 48. Mr. Chanak practiced in the Seattle area for the past 19 years and was the 2000-2001 chair of the WSBA International Practice Section. He spoke five languages fluently; enjoyed sailing; played the viola and piano; was an avid writer; and held a lifelong interest in theology. Memorials may be made to Saint Spiridon Orthodox Cathedral (400 Yale Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109), or the Humane Society (13212 SE Eastgate Way, Bellevue, WA 98005).

Harrison K. Dano died June 3 at age 85. Mr. Dano served aboard the USS Iowa and the USS Macon in World War II, and in the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1953. He practiced law in Ellensburg for 32 years before moving to Moses Lake, where he continued his practice. He was a member of Moses Lake Rotary International, American Legion, Elks Lodge, and the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the WSBA Board of Governors (1966-69), a founder of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, and was instrumental in establishing the People's Law School at Big Bend Community College. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Capital Campaign Fund (200 N. Dale, Moses Lake, WA 98837) or St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Foundation (520 Southeast Blvd., Ephrata, WA 98823).

James Gay died April 23 at age 83, due to kidney failure. After graduating from the University of Washington School of Law, he joined the office of Harold Shefelman and remained with the firm (now known as Foster, Pepper & Shefelman) until his retirement in 1994. Mr. Gay, who was a well-known municipal bond attorney, taught government law at the University of Washington law school. Mr. Gay was a member of the Seattle Municipal League and the University of Washington Law School Alumni Association, and was local government law counsel for the American Bar Association and general counsel for Water District 99. Memorials may be made to the Benevolence Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue (1717 Bellevue Way, Bellevue, WA 98004) or Emerald Heights Benevolence Fund (17909 176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052).

Arthur S. Langlie died May 24 at age 71, following a stroke. Before entering law school, Mr. Langlie, son of former Governor Arthur B. Langlie, served for two years with the Coast Guard; he retired in 1980 with the rank of captain. Mr. Langlie clerked for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals following graduation from the University of Washington School of Law. He later practiced law with the Seattle firm McMicken, Rup and Schweppe, then Langlie and Praeger, and finally as a sole practitioner. He served on the Salvation Army's Seattle advisory board for 40 years. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Hope Campaign (Northwest Divisional Headquarters, PO Box 9219, Seattle, WA 98109), or Lakeside School (Dept. 4156, PO Box 34936 Seattle, WA 98124-1936).

Dean Wright Loney died April 30 at age 79, following a long battle with colon and liver cancer, and kidney failure. Mr. Loney served in World War II, attended Whitman College, then received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. He practiced law for 30 years with the Tri-Cities firm Moulton, Powell and Guess. Memorials may be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House (2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336), or Tri-Cities Kidney Center (522 N. Colorado St., Kennewick, WA 99336).

Donald Priest died April 27 at age 71, following a brief illness. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, he served as a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor for several years and then became an Everett District Court judge, serving on the bench for almost 23 years. Judge Priest was active in the Everett Elks, American Legion and Navy League.

Gary M. Schrag died April 16 at age 49, following a battle with multiple myeloma. He practiced probate and agricultural law with the Walla Walla firm Reese, Baffney, Schrag & Frol for 24 years. Mr. Schrag was past president of the Exchange Club and an active member of the Blue Mountain Humane Society Board. He also served on several boards and was a member of the BPOE 278 and Walla Walla Country Club. Memorials may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation (12650 Riverside Dr., Ste. 206, North Hollywood, CA 91607).