By Ruth Apahidean Harper
I keep forgetting this year has 366 days, thereby ensuring the calendar remains synchronized and reconciling the Earth’s orbit to the calendar. Now that I get an extra day this month (and year), I have to figure out what to do with it. Actually, I’ll probably be at my desk, reading correspondence and writing, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Partner/Principal Pronouncements
Jennifer L. Truong has been elected to Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC’s membership. Truong works primarily in the firm’s Employment Rights, Benefits & Labor practice group, providing defense services under the Washington Workers’ Compensation and Washington Industrial Safety and Health acts. Before joining the firm, Truong represented employers before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and Superior Courts as well as provided corporate counsel services to a broad range of industries including hospitality, construction, transportation, staffing, and healthcare, and was previously part of Reinisch Wilson Weier PC. After receiving her B.A. from the University of Washington, Truong earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.
Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson is proud to announce that, effective January 1, 2024, Julie M. Pendleton has been elevated to Principal in the Firm, where she will serve a wide variety of clients in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and trust & estates litigation. Pendleton earned her B.A. from the University of Chicago, and her J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law, where she earned the CALI Awards for Excellence in both her Constitutional Law and Capital Punishment Seminar courses and was Vice Chair of the Moot Court Board.
Jake Ewart is the new Managing Principal at Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson P.S. Before assuming this role, Ewart played a vital role on the firm’s Management Committee and has served previously as the Litigation Practice Team Leader. As a seasoned trial and appellate attorney in HCMP’s litigation practice, Ewart brings extensive experience to his new role. His practice encompasses a diverse clientele, including public, private, and non-profit entities. Ewart provides counsel and defense in complex, high-stakes disputes involving contracts, employment, class actions, securities, antitrust, intellectual property, municipal law, real estate, and federal and state constitutional law. He has a successful track record representing clients at all levels of state and federal court, as well as in arbitration and mediation. Currently, he serves on the King County Bar Foundation Board of Trustees and as president of Schools First, a volunteer organization that campaigns for the Seattle Public Schools levies every three years.
Associate Additions
Sydney Sullivan has joined Skanska as an associate attorney. Sullivan was previously at Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP, where she focused on the firm’s construction, commercial litigation, and government contracts practice. During law school, Sullivan participated in the University of Washington Women’s law caucus and Association of Student Defenders and Prosecutors and competed in the University of Washington’s Mock Trial Competition. Sullivan earned her B.A. from Central Washington University and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Other Attorney Additions
Tanner Yamada is now a Staff Attorney at the King County Bar Association – Housing Justice Project. Yamada previously worked for Benefits Law Center, providing representation to low-income or houseless individuals facing issues related to Social Security disability benefits. Yamada also interned for the Pierce County Department of Public Defense and King County Department of Public Defense. After obtaining his B.A. from the University of Oregon, Yamada graduated from the University of Washington School of Law.
Amy Spitzer is now an attorney at Brothers and Henderson, P.S., a firm that focuses on elder and estate services. Spitzer was previously an attorney at Fox Ballard PLLC and Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. Spitzer obtained her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law.
Going Solo
Jessica Lederman has started her own practice, specializing in Content Creator and Video Game Developer representation. Lederman was previously an attorney at McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC, where she assisted clients in key aspects of videogame development, distribution, and publishing. Lederman obtained her undergraduate degree at Western Washington University and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Outside of Private Practice
Jake Bernstein is starting a new position as an Adjunct Professor at the Seattle University School of Law. Bernstein is a Partner at K&L Gates, focusing on data protection, cybersecurity, and privacy. He was a Practice Leader in Cybersecurity & Privacy at Focal PLLC and at Newman DuWors.
Other Attorney Announcements
Roger Mellem, Of Counsel and Member at Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC, retired on December 31, 2023. Mellem has been with the firm since 2006, after being a Member for many years at Foster Pepper PLLC. Mellem’s practice focused on defending and resolving securities, real estate, and other commercial cases on behalf of businesses and individuals. He has also served as an arbitrator and mediator.
Callie Castillo has been named Co-Chair of Lane Powell’s Commercial Litigation Team. Castillo focuses on complex litigation, regulatory, and appellate counsel. She has been a Shareholder at Lane Powell since 2019. Before joining Lane Powell, Castillo worked for the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Castillo obtained her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from George Mason University – Antonin Scalia Law School.
Ruth Apahidean Harper is an attorney at Cobalt Law PLLC. She is easily reached via email: ruth@cobaltlawfirm.com, by phone: 253.234.4676, or by mail: PO Box 1134, Enumclaw, WA 98022-1134.
