October 2009

Around the State

Find out what your fellow attorneys are up to. See www.wsba.org/¬media/publications/countynewsletters.htm for links to bar publications throughout the state. If you would like to contribute to Around the State on behalf of your county, minority, or specialty bar organization, or if you have a law-related item of interest, send your submissions to aroundthestate@wsba.org.

Gates Receives ABA’s Highest Honor

William H. Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has been chosen by the American Bar Association to receive its highest honor, the ABA Medal. “It will be a true honor to present the ABA Medal to Bill Gates Sr.,” said ABA President H. Thomas Wells Jr. “Not only has he been a leader in the legal profession, he also has distinguished himself in the field of philanthropy and found a new career as an author, both pursuits begun after his retirement from the law. He is known as a ‘lawyer’s lawyer’ among his colleagues, a civic force in his native Seattle area, and a benevolent friend to disadvantaged people around the world.” The ABA Medal recognizes exceptionally distinguished service by a lawyer to the cause of American jurisprudence.

Utter and Dimmick Honored at Legacy Project Ceremony

In June, Justice Robert F. Utter and Judge Carolyn Dimmick were honored at a Legacy Project rollout ceremony at the Office of the Secretary of State in Olympia. The project, a service of the Office of Secretary of State and the planned state Heritage Center, was commissioned by the Legislature to tell the life lessons and personal histories of some of Washington’s most interesting daughters and sons. The Legacy Project has posted a 180-page oral history of Justice Utter, the internationally respected jurist, constitutional law expert, author, humanitarian, and sailor. The oral history of U.S. District Judge Carolyn Dimmick, the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court, was also published recently. Justice Utter and Judge Dimmick join fellow WSBA members Justice Charles Z. Smith, Justice James Dolliver, Senator William Gissberg, and Senator Jeannette Hayner in being honored. Read their oral histories online at www.secstate.wa.gov/legacyproject/oralhistories.aspx.

William Kenzo Nakamura Courthouse Rededicated

Federal judges gathered on June 22 in Seattle for the rededication of the William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse for use by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The rededication ceremony marked the successful completion of a three-year project to renovate and modernize the historic structure, which opened in 1940 and was the first building in the West designed specifically for use as a federal courthouse. The courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 for its national and local significance. The ceremony, held in the courthouse’s new en banc courtroom, drew elected officials, community leaders, members of the Bar, and representatives of the U.S. General Services Administration, which oversaw the renovation project. Speakers included Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, of Pasadena; Senior Circuit Judge Betty Binns Fletcher and Circuit Judge Richard C. Tallman, who have their chambers in the courthouse; and U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, of Seattle, and local resident Steve Finley, who were instrumental in having the building named for a Japanese-American war hero. U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell sent representatives with messages of congratulations to the court and community. Robin G. Graf, acting regional administrator for the GSA’s Northwest/Arctic Region, served as master of ceremonies. Members of the Seattle Nisei Veterans Committee were present to post the colors and lead the assembly in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The courthouse was rededicated in 2001 in the name of Private First Class William Kenzo Nakamura, a Seattleite who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in World War II. One of the thousands of Americans of Japanese ancestry forced into government internment camps in 1942, Nakamura nonetheless enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the all-Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team and fought in Italy. On July 4, 1944, after single-handedly eliminating an enemy machine-gun position and volunteering to remain behind while his platoon evacuated from a ridge, he was killed by an enemy sniper. Nakamura was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the country’s second highest military award. In 2000, President Clinton upgraded the award to a Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military honor.

Anacortes Courtroom Named in Honor of Judge Eugene Anderson

In July, Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell recognized Judge Eugene Anderson’s 36 years of service in the city’s courts by recommending that the municipal court facility be renamed the Gene Anderson Municipal Courtroom. The concept was unanimously endorsed by the Anacortes City Council. Anderson, who died on June 3, was born in 1929, and earned his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1957. “He came to town as a young buck out of the University of Washington and ran for justice of the peace,” said former Anacortes Mayor Bud Strom. He was elected and became a part-time district court judge for Skagit County in 1959. When he retired in 1994, he was longest-serving district court judge in the state of Washington. He was a member of the Washington State Bar Examiners Committee for 41 years. He won several awards for his service, including the 2008 WSBA Lifetime Service Award.

Legal Foundation of Washington Celebrates Anniversary

The Legal Foundation of Washington (LFW) celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court order requiring interest on lawyer trust accounts be distributed through the LFW for law-related charitable and educational purposes. That citizens without the ability to pay high legal and court fees would be left out of the process entirely compelled the group known as the Halverson Committee with the support of the Whatcom County Bar Association and the Seattle-King County Legal Aid Bureau to petition the Supreme Court for an IOLTA Rule.

At the earliest meetings of the inaugural LFW Board, a commitment to ensuring access to justice by the most disenfranchised of all Washingtonians was agreed. Since 1985, the LFW has administered $122 million in grants for civil legal aid. The Legal Foundation of Washington will commemorate 25 years of innovative partnership working for justice in Washington state at the 24th Annual Charles A. Goldmark Award Luncheon on February 26, 2010.

40 Under 40 Honorees

Each year, the Puget Sound Business Journal spotlights top business leaders in the Puget Sound area who are under the age of 40 and excel in their industry and show dynamic leadership. Congratulations to the following WSBA members who are named in this year’s “40 Under 40” list: Jorge L. Baron, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project; Gabriel S. Galanda, Williams Kastner; Gregory A. Gottesman, Madrona Venture Group LLC; Vanessa S. Power, Stoel Rives LLP; Kirk A. Soderquist, Perkins Coie LLP; and Akane R. Suzuki, Garvey Schubert Barer.

Get Current News from the American Bar Association on Twitter, Facebook

News from the American Bar Association is now available on the ABA’s News Twitter Feed and on its News Facebook Page. To get the latest news about developments in the law, happenings in Washington, D.C., and the work of America’s leading lawyers, follow ABA News on Twitter (twitter.com/abanews) for quick headlines and links to complete news stories. If you prefer Facebook, headlines and links are there, too. Just find American Bar Association and sign up as a fan.

Team Persecute/Defend are 2009 Seattle Lawyers Basketball League Champs

Team Persecute/Defend, composed of lawyers from the King County Prosecutors as well as criminal defense attorneys, captured the 2009 Seattle Lawyers Basketball League crown. On May 27, 2009, No. 2 seed Persecute/Defend (8-3) prevailed over the No. 4 seed Stanislaw Ashbaugh (7-5), in a bruising, see-saw battle. The Stanislaw bruisers fought back in a hard-fought, low-scoring first half to overcome an early six-point deficit to lead at the half, 32-29. The game remained a close, defensive struggle. However, the hot hand of Persecute/Defend’s Alfoster Garrett, who coolly sank free-throws at the end, helped stave off a final Stanislaw surge. Final score: Persecute/Defend 56–Stanislaw 54. Persecute/Defend team members are: Alfoster Garrett Jr. (Lewis and Clark, ’99); Nathan Harris (Seattle U., ’09); Brent A. Hart (UW, ’00); Jimmy I. Hung (UW, ’99); Steven W. Kim (UW, ’00); Jake Lipscomb (Seattle U., ’10); Gyasi Ross (Columbia, ’03); Eric J. Schurman (Gonzaga, ’98); and Nathan L. Webb (Univ. of Tulsa, ’03).

SCBA Report

The Spokane County Bar Association (SCBA) honored Mike Pontarolo with the 2009 Smithmoore P. Myers Professional Award. The formal dinner included celebrating Smitty’s 95th birthday, as well as recognizing lawyers who have been practicing for 50 years — congratulations to Gene Annis, Bob Kovacevich, Larry Smith, and Pat Sullivan! The SCBA is also extremely proud of its volunteer lawyer program coordinator, Kellee Spangenberg. She received the 2009 Award for Leadership from the Washington State Access to Justice Board. Kellee plays a significant leadership role in our community’s continued effort to deliver the promise of equal justice for all. Kudos to Kellee for her tireless commitment and dedication as an advocate for pro bono services for low-income clients.

Speaking of the Volunteer Lawyer Program, the following individuals and firms were recognized at the SCBA’s annual meeting in June: Firm of the Year — Etter McMahon, with special recognition of outstanding pro bono service to the law firm of Winston Cashatt; Pro Bono Attorney of the Year — Bryan Whitaker, with special recognition of outstanding pro bono service to Pete Johnson, Jen Larsen, and Rob Crary; Status Conference Attorneys of the Year — Jason Nelson and Mary Ronnestad; and Young Attorney of the Year — James Studt.

Washington Young Lawyers Division Receives ABA Awards

During the American Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in August, the Washington Young Lawyers Division received four Awards of Achievement. Three of them related to the Young Bar Leaders Summit in March, which united leadership from the WYLD, county YLDs, and minority bar associations to address pressing issues for young lawyers. Awards include “First Place — Service to the Bar” for similar-sized YLDs, “First Place — Minority Project,” and “Most Outstanding Single Project — Service to the Bar.” The WYLD also received commendation for the Washington First Responder Will Clinics.

TCBA Elects New Board Members

The Thurston County Bar Association (TCBA) held its annual meeting in May, where the following 2009–2010 officers and board members were elected: president — Allen Miller, of the Law Offices of Allen T. Miller, PLLC; president-elect — Kalo Wilcox, from the City of Olympia Legal Department; secretary — Toni Hood, of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office; treasurer — Leslie Owen, from Northwest Justice Project; past president — Erik Price, of Lane Powell PC; position 1 — John Skinder, from the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office; position 2 — Janet McClanahan, of McClanahan Moody, PLLC; position 3 — Larry Jefferson, from the Office of Assigned Counsel; position 4 — Paul Meyer, attorney at law; position 5 — William B. Pope, of William B. Pope & Associates PC; position 6 — Lenny Lucenko, from Connolly Tacon & Meserve; and position 7 — Shawn Newman, attorney at law.

Lane Powell Presents Women’s Symposium

On the evening of June 18, nearly 100 female executives and business leaders gathered at the offices of Lane Powell for an informative women’s symposium titled “Keeping the Path Lit: Strategies for the Road Ahead.” The event featured a panel discussion led by moderator Denise Whittaker, weekend morning news anchor for KOMO-TV, and a panel of five prominent women executives: Jean Godden, Seattle City Council member; Diane Irvine, CEO of Blue Nile; Linda Kress, tax partner at Grant Thornton; Jane Nelson, co-chair of Lane Powell’s Real Estate and Land Use Group; and Molly Stearns, senior vice president of The Seattle Foundation. The panelists spoke candidly about how to market one’s most valuable skills in a down economy and about discovering effective ways to balance personal and professional demands in these changing economic times. The discussion also highlighted the importance of following one’s passion, forging new partnerships, and staying connected with others in the greater business community. The event was co-sponsored by Lane Powell and Grant Thornton, and all proceeds were donated to Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that provides women with professional attire, a network of support, and career-development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.

KCBA Elects New Board Members and Holds Awards Dinner

The King County Bar Association (KCBA) elected new board members in June: James Andrus, president; Mark Aoki-Fordham, first vice president; Joseph Bringman, second vice president; Beth Barrett Bloom, secretary/trustee; Peter Ehrlichman and Craig Anthony Sims, trustees; and Karen Orhoski, chair of the Young Lawyer Division. KCBA also held its Annual Awards Dinner in June. The evening celebrated a group of inspiring award recipients who have made a tremendous impact on the practice of law and administration of justice. The 2009 honorees are: Christopher Bayley, Outstanding Lawyer; the Honorable LeRoy McCullough, King County Superior Court, Outstanding Judge; the Honorable Ronald Gould, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, William L. Dwyer Outstanding Jurist; Pallavi Wahi, K&L Gates, Outstanding Young Lawyer; Norma Ureña, Ureña Law Offices, Pro Bono Award; and Ernest Aguilar, President’s Award.

WACDL Presents Annual Awards

The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) presented their 2009 annual awards in June. Peter Camiel and Jim Lobsenz, of Seattle, are recipients of the William O. Douglas Award, WACDL’s most prestigious award, given in recognition of extraordinary courage and dedication to the practice of criminal law. James Bible Jr. received the Champion of Justice Award for his community organizing and related work, as president of the Seattle King County NAACP, on behalf of Gerald Hankerson, who was granted clemency by Governor Gregoire this year. The award recognizes an individual who has staunchly preserved or defended the constitutional rights of Washington residents and endeavored to ensure justice and due process for those accused of crime. Sherilyn Peterson, of Seattle, received the President’s Award for her work in challenging the constitutionality of Washington’s lethal-injection policy. The President’s Award recognizes outstanding service to the criminal defense bar in a particular case or series of particular cases.

Diversity Award Named in Honor of Sheryl Willert

DRI — The Voice of the Defense Bar has renamed its Pioneer Diversity Award after Sheryl J. Willert, a long-time DRI leader and managing director of Seattle-based Williams Kastner.

The award recognizes an individual attorney for his or her demonstrated commitment to diversity in the legal profession. As a former president of DRI, Willert, the first woman and lawyer of color to be president of DRI, has been an integral part of DRI’s diversity-related successes.

Perkins Coie Presents Award for Discovery

Perkins Coie announced that it has presented its $20,000 Award for Discovery to Michael A. Laflamme, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, to fund his research project “Development and Testing of a Stem Cell-Derived Biological Pacemaker.” The award is part of the firm’s five-year commitment to support translational research at the UW Medicine South Lake Union campus. Each year, from 2007 to 2011, the firm will award a $20,000 grant to support a new project to generate data that could be used as a basis for a new and significant research program funded by NIH or other funding agencies.

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services Recognizes Volunteers

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) held its Annual Volunteer Appreciation and Fundraising Breakfast honoring pro bono attorneys and paralegals in May. TCVLS provides free legal services to low-income clients in Thurston and Mason counties. John Vanek and Steven Frederick Cross received Attorney of the Year awards for their commitment, dedication, dependability, skill, and experience serving clients at the Housing Justice Project.

Teachers Receive Flame of Democracy Awards

Longtime Central Valley High School teacher Stan Chalich was honored in May by the WSBA’s Council on Public Legal Education (CPLE) for his 40 years as an outstanding educator. Chalich was presented with the Flame of Democracy Award, created by the CPLE in 2002 to recognize individuals, organizations, and programs that significantly increase the public’s understanding of law, the justice system, and government. This year is the first time the award was given to a teacher, and two individuals were selected; in addition to Chalich, the award was given in March to Rick Nagel, retired from Franklin High School.

INTER ALIA

Judy Runstad, a real estate and land use attorney at Foster Pepper, is featured in a new book focusing on women corporate directors by Elizabeth Ghaffari, entitled Outstanding in Their Field. Runstad has practiced law with Foster Pepper for more than 35 years and currently serves as of counsel. Ghaffari profiles 15 female directors who tell the truth about how to find a seat at the table. Each story is different; no one path or decision worked for every woman. Each chapter closes with one woman’s advice, providing encouragement and perspective from over three decades of practical experience with public company boards.

Nina Harding is the Senior Services of Seattle winner of the 2009 Inspire Positive Aging Award. Harding graduated from law school at age 52. She continues to practice law and gives freely of her time to the Elder Law Clinic. “... I never planned on getting old-er, but as I get older, it certainly is an honor to walk in my grandma’s footsteps. It’s always the awards from those who live in your backyard that are the most rewarding and the most humbling,” she said. “My passion is to serve our elders, whom I believe are some of Seattle’s most precious gifts of wisdom. My elders taught me to seek to serve.”

Winston & Cashatt attorney Ryan Yahne has become an accredited professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED), one of the few lawyers nationally and the first in Spokane to receive the designation for sustainable design, construction, and operation. Yahne, who focuses on construction law, is only the tenth attorney in Washington state to earn accreditation from the Green Building Certificate Institute (GBCI). “The trend toward green design and construction has surfaced a specialized set of contract, performance, and litigation considerations that require expertise and training in sustainability issues,” Yahne said. “Washington has been an early leader in LEED-rated projects and that is going to continue.”

Fraser Mendel, a shareholder at Northwest regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, has been named to the board of the Washington State China Relations Council (WSCRC). Established 30 years ago, the WSCRC serves as a platform for promoting stronger commercial, educational, and cultural relations between the state of Washington and the People’s Republic of China.

Jeannie Simpson, an associate in Foster Pepper’s Real Estate practice group, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Child Care Resources (CCR). Since 1990, CCR has been promoting school readiness, a stable community, and equity for children by building a quality child-care system. Jenifer Merkel, also an associate in Foster Pepper’s Estate Planning practice group, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Conservation Northwest. Conservation Northwest protects and connects old-growth forests and other wild areas from the Washington Coast to the BC Rockies.

Patricia Paul received a Pilot Pin from the Rotary Club of LaConner. The pin is awarded to individuals who have shown their leadership skills, give of themselves to the community, and exemplify the Rotary motto “service above self.” Rotary District Governor Larry Jubie presented the pin to Paul with his congratulations.

Attorney General Rob McKenna appointed Antoinette “Toni” Ursich as the successor to longtime Spokane Division Chief Larry Briney in June. Ursich is currently the Washington State University Division Chief. “Larry has a tremendous reputation as the leader of the Attorney General’s Office in Spokane, and it certainly isn’t easy to imagine our Spokane office without him,” McKenna said. “That’s why I am so pleased Toni Ursich was interested in taking on this new leadership role. She is decisive, but approachable, and understands the role of a servant leader.”

The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) elected Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna as its vice president on June 17. McKenna will serve in this role through next summer, when he will become president-elect of the organization. He’ll assume the role of NAAG president in 2011. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve in a role that will elevate the national awareness of issues crucial to the state of Washington, from protecting the environment to combating gang violence and reducing the deadly impact of prescription drug abuse,” McKenna said. “This is the most active and effective national association for statewide elected officials. I’m honored that my fellow attorneys general nationwide have selected me for this position.”

Brian Keeley, of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, was named to the King County Civil Service Commission in May. Keeley will serve a four-year term with fellow Commissioners Larry Mayes, a retired 28-year King County chief deputy and jail administrator, and Sam Pailca, a Microsoft senior attorney and former prosecutor who served as the first civilian director of the Seattle Police.

Seattle attorneys Brad Moore and Jeffrey L. Needle have been named Washington State Coordinators for the Public Justice Foundation, the Washington-based national organization known for championing public-interest litigation across the country. As state coordinators, Moore and Needle will be responsible for helping expand the organization’s visibility and identifying important cases that fall under Public Justice’s broad portfolio.

Best Lawyers, the nation’s oldest legal publication, has named attorney Paul N. Luvera as the “Seattle Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigator of the Year” for 2009. Luvera is the first person in Washington to be so honored by the publication. Luvera is a founding partner in the Seattle law firm of Luvera, Barnett, Brindley, Beninger and Cunningham.