By Karen Sutherland
Bar Talk is a little skimpy this month because my billable hours, combined with preparing for holiday gift shows for my blown glass and collages, put me into that zone where all I did was eat, sleep and work. This means that my usual forays into gossip-land, such as attending soirees and such, were severely curtailed, if not non-existent. If you want to see some of the fruits of my artistic labors, come to the Artist Open House that I am hosting November 12-14 with two other artistic types. If you want to know more, call me or e-mail me the contact information, as always, is at the end of this column.
Okay, on to the legal stuff.
Partner Promotions
Van Ness Feldman recently named John Iani as a partner in the firm. Iani most recently was the Regional Administrator for Region Ten of the Environmental Protection Agency. Before that, he was Vice President and General Counsel at UniSea, Inc. Iani graduated from the Seattle University School of Law in 1985 and earned his A.B. from Occidental College in 1979. His practice focuses on developing and structuring business and commercial endeavors, among other things.
New Associates
Betts, Patterson & Mines, P.S. recently announced the hiring of Laura Kruse and Dana Henderson as associates. Kruse practices complex litigation. She received her undergraduate degree from Western Washington University in 1998 and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University in 2002.
Henderson concentrates on complex litigation, insurance coverage and transportation law. She received her undergraduate degree from the U-Dub in 1994 and her J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University School of Law in 1997. She is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Washington State.
Jenifer Merkel has joined Reed, Longyear, Malnati & Ahrens, PLLC as an associate practicing estate planning and probate. Merkel earned her B.A. from Wazzu in 2000 and then made the trek across the mountains to earn her J.D. from the U-Dub in 2003.
Dennis Michaels, Michael Moyer, and Vincent Ricci have become associates at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Michaels focuses his practice on technology companies with an emphasis in public and private securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate matters. He received his B.A. from the University of California in 1993 and his J.D. degree McGeorge School of Law in 1999.
Moyer’s practice focuses on technology, life sciences and Internet-based media and advertising companies, emphasizing public and private securities offerings. He received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in 1998 and his B.A. from Gonzaga University in 1992. He is admitted to practice in Washington and New York.
Ricci is a member of the firm’s corporate department and focuses his practice on corporate finance. He received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1995 and his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1990.
Short Cress-man & Burgess has added a new associate, Matthew Hanna. A graduate of Bos-ton University School of Law, his practice will focus on real estate.
Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt recently announced the hiring of Renea Saade as an associate. Saade focuses her practice in the areas of condemnation, employment law, and financial law. She earned her J.D. degree from Northeast-ern University School of Law in 1999 and her B.A. from U-Dub in 1996.
Other Attorney Additions
Ian Messerle recently joined Miller Nash, LLP after serving as a trial attorney for the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Messerle received his Bachelor’s degree, suma cum laude, in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Lane, Powell, Spears, Lubersky, LLP recently hired Laura Morse. Morse, who received her J.D. from Chapman University School of Law, magna cum laude, and a B.A. in English literature from Western Washington University, magna cum laude, works in the firm’s labor and employment practice group.
Office Moves
The Crowley Law Offices, P.S., consisting of Patrick Crowley, William Crowley and Janelle Carney, have moved across the street to the 1411 Fourth Avenue Building, which also housed my absolute favorite law firm of Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. at some point in its distant past.
The King County Law Library recently returned to its old digs on the sixth floor of the King County Court-house. Renovations include a new circulation/reference desk, new computer carrels and two casual seating areas
with leatherette chairs, along with new carpet, paint, updated HVAC systems and public art. They have books and Internet access, too. The library is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Honors and Awards
Gabe Galanda recently received the Washington State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Galanda is an associate at Williams, Kastner & Gibbs. Galanda’s practice focuses on tribal litigation and multi-party commercial activities.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Administration at the U-Dub Law School, Sandra Madrid, has recently received the Washington State Bar Association’s 2004 Excellence in Diversity Award. She was selected for her efforts to improve diversity awareness and her objective that Washington legal profession should more accurately reflect today’s ethnically varying society.
The Washington State Bar Association also announced the winner of its President’s Award, Allison Williams. Williams is an associate with Firestone, Landsman, Fleming, Dixon & Matson. Williams is a graduate of Colgate University and the Seattle University Law School.
Angela Belbeck, an associate in my absolute favorite law firm, Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C., has been appointed a Commissioner to the City of Seattle Parks Board. Her term runs through 2006. Belbeck’s practice focuses on all aspects of municipal law.
Preston Gates & Ellis, LLP has selected Karen Glover as its managing partner. Glover’s practice focuses on healthcare transactions, technology, regulatory compliance and executive compensation.
Bill Bailey of Mills, Meyers, Swartling has been inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. His practice focuses on trial law.
J. Shan Mullin, a partner with Perkins Coie, was recognized by the YMCA of greater Seattle for volunteer leadership at a luncheon held on October 29.
Joanne Blackburn has been selected to serve as the Washington State representative to the Defense Research Institute, a national organization of defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel. Blackburn has a broad civil defense practice at Garvey Schubert Barer. Her practice includes insurance coverage and defense, including product liability cases, construction defects and environmental litigation.
Fun Stuff
The Northwest Women’s Law Center recently held its 2004 auction at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The theme was “spin,” an interesting choice in a presidential election year. A good time was had by all, though I really don’t know that for sure since the October 30 auction date means that it is happening after I write this column, unfortunately. In any event, if you miss the auction, but have an urge to donate to the causes supported by the Northwest Women’s Law Center, you can always e-mail them at nwwlc@nwwlc.org or give them a call at (206) 682-9552.
Obituaries
Brock Adams, former U.S. Attorney for Western Washington, Congressman, Senator and Secretary of Transportation and partner of Garvey Schubert Adams and Barer, recently died at the age of 77 after spending the last several years living with Parkinson’s disease.
Francis Olding died at the age of 40 in an accident while climbing at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Olding earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio State University in 1992 and a law degree from the University of Toledo. He practiced at Lee, Smart, Cook, Martin & Patterson and Betts, Patterson & Mines prior to opening his own law office in June of 2004.
Richard Lambert died at the age of 87. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 1939, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and earned his J.D. from the U-Dub School of Law after the war ended.
Thomas Owens recently died at the age of 76. Owens received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his J.D. degree from Michigan Law School. He worked as a lobbyist at the time of his retirement in 1996.
Karen Sutherland is the Assistant Managing Member and chair of the Employment and Labor Law Practice Group at Ogden Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C., and chair of the King County Bar Bulletin Committee. Her practice focuses on employment and labor law and complex litigation. She can be reached at 1601 Ð 5th Avenue, Suite 2100, Seattle, WA 98101, by phone at (206) 447-7000, by fax at (206) 447-0215, or by e-mail at ksutherland@omwlaw.com.
