Hypothetically, summer starts this month. I certainly hope it shows up on time, and I would welcome an earlier preview. I realize that cold, damp grayness comes with the territory, but it does get old after a while. I would love to run around sockless in cute little flats instead of wearing heavy wool socks and clunky shoes that can withstand the river that flows next to the curb at Fourth and Union every time it rains. I would also love to be able to enjoy a game at the ballpark with less than two cubic feet of fuzzy fleece and fluffy down to insulate me. Also, I can hardly wait for a day that is hot enough to round up some associates and head for a nice, crisp cone at Gelatiamo.
New Firm Owners
Anthony Todaro and Felix Luna have joined Peterson Young Putra as partners. Todaro was formerly at DLA Piper. Luna was formerly a partner at Heller Ehrman. Their practices focus on federal and states civil litigation in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, employment, construction and commercial law.
David Ebel has become a shareholder in the Seattle office of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. He practices in the areas of securities, financial services, commercial litigation and professional liability defense.
John Pierce has joined the Seattle office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as a partner in the firm’s renewable energy practice group.
Glenn Draper has become a member of Bergman & Frockt, PLLC. The firm represents plaintiffs with asbestos-related diseases and cancer caused by benzene exposure, and consumers with unfair business practice claims.
Associate Additions
Ryan Sternoff, who was formerly with The Christensen Firm, has joined Ahlers & Cressman PLLC as an associate. His practice focuses primarily on construction law.
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has added Jason Rhodes and Ellen Kelly as associates to its Seattle office. Rhodes is in the firm’s trademark, copyright, and advertising practice group. Kelly is in the firm’s technology transactions practice group.
Evan Chinn has joined Sebris Busto James as an associate. Chinn was formerly with The National Labor Relations Board, Region 19.
David Platz has become an associate in the Seattle office of Woodcock Washburn LLP. The firm’s practice focuses on international property law.
Of Counsel and Other Attorney Additions
Russell Cofano has become of counsel in the Seattle office of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC. Cofano will practice in the firm’s real estate group. His previous experience includes acting as counsel for the Washington Association of Realtors and underwriting counsel for LandAmerica Commercial Services.
Brian Kennan has returned to the Seattle office of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as of counsel, joining the firm’s technology practice group. Kennan previously left Davis Wright Tremaine in 1999 to join Microsoft.
Cathryn Dammel has joined Stoel Rives LLP’s employment practice group in the firm’s Seattle office as of counsel. Dammel previously served as staff vice president for labor and employment law and deputy general counsel at Alaska Airlines.
Jim Thatcher has become of counsel to Woodcock Washburn LLP’s Seattle office. Thatcher was previously with Microsoft’s antitrust group, and he has a background in commercial software development.
Shawna Lydon has become an attorney at Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder. Lydon works with a number of the firm’s practice groups, including the business and litigation group.
Office Moves
Ralph Maimon has moved into his own office, which is located on Dexter Avenue North. Maimon is a former president of the King County Bar Association, the wonderful organization that is responsible for the paper that you are currently reading.
Honors and Awards
Two University of Washington law professors, Anita Ramasastry and Jane Winn, have received Fulbright Fellowships. Ramasastry will conduct research and teach at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at National University of Ireland. Winn will spend the summer of 2008 in China researching the impact of information technology and globalization on commercial law.
Judy Runstad was recently given a Corporate Director of the Year Award by the Seattle-Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors in the category of Leadership in Public Corporation Governance. Runstad is of counsel in Foster Pepper PLLC’s real estate and land use practice groups.
Ron Cai has received the Distinguished Business Law Graduate honor from Lewis & Clark Law School. Cai is the partner in charge of Davis Wright TremaineLLP’s Shanghai, China office. He has been practicing international law with the focus on foreign investment in China with Davis Wright Tremaine for the past seven years.
Tony Rafel, Duncan Manville and Tyler Ellrodt were collectively named Boss of the Year by the National Association of Legal Support Professionals of Greater Seattle. The award recognizes their leadership and mentoring in the legal field.
