It’s that time of the year again. Let’s put our best foot forward as we interact with clients and colleagues with one hour less of sleep. It’s easy to focus on the minor inconvenience, but this is a great reminder that change is the only constant in life.
Partner & Member Pronouncements
Samuel Meyler joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as a Member in November 2023. Meyler focuses his practice on real estate, general business and corporate matters, debtor/creditor rights, dispute resolution, and civil litigation. Previously, Meyler was a Member at Meyler Legal, PLLC. Meyler obtained his B.A. from the University of Washington and his J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Joshua Reinertson joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as a Member in November 2023. Reinertson focuses his practice primarily on estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related tax issues. Before joining the firm, Reinertson was a legal extern for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity office. Reinertson obtained his B.A. from Central Washington University, his J.D. from Seattle University, and his LL.M in Tax Law from the University of Washington School of Law.
Gregory Porter joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as a Member in January 2024. Porter focuses on litigation and has conducted jury and bench trials, more than a dozen arbitrations, and numerous mediations. Porter received his B.S. from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Associate Additions
Lesley Novotny joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as a Family Law Associate in November 2023. Novotny was previously at Circus Law PLLC and at Valence as a Senior Consultant. Novotny earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Melinda Tsang has joined Dorsey & Whitney LLP’s Tax, Trusts and Estate practice group as an associate. Tsang was previously an attorney at Betts, Patterson & Mines, P.S. and worked for Fifth Third Private Bank. Tsang obtained her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College, her J.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and her Tax LLM from the University of Washington School of Law.
Jeremiah Surface has joined Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC as an associate attorney, where he will handle wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, and insurance bad faith litigation matters. Surface was previously at Ellis, Li & McKinstry PLLC, focusing on wrongful death, traumatic brain injury, and traumatic injury. Surface earned his B.A. from the University of Washington and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
Hon. Peter Peaquin has been appointed to King County District Court. Judge Peaquin previously served as a Health Law Judge for the Washington State Department of Health and served as Judge Pro-Tem. He has worked as a staff attorney for King County’s Department of Public Defense and has represented clients in municipal, district, and superior court matters.
Hon. Ketu Shah is now Presiding Judge of the King County Superior Court. After serving as a King County District Court Judge, Judge Shah was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 2019. Judge Shah has also served as Chief Judge of the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Nicholas B. Straley has been appointed to the King County Superior Court by Governor Jay Inslee. Straley is appointed to replace Judge Mary Roberts, who retired from the bench effective January 17, 2024. Straley has been employed by Columbia Legal Services and currently serves as CLS’s litigation director. He has litigated both in state and federal courts and has worked as a staff attorney in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Straley has also served on the JustLead Washington Board of Directors and as an alternate member of the Washington State Criminal Sentencing Task Force. Straley earned his B.A. from Oberlin College and his J.D. from Cornell Law School.
Angela J. Kaake has been appointed to the King County Superior Court by Governor Jay Inslee. She will be appointed to replace Judge Chad Allred, who retired from the bench effective January 15, 2024. Kaake has served as a prosecuting attorney at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for over two decades. Kaake has served as the president and registered agent of Breakaway Women’s Lacrosse Team, served on the board of the Pacific Northwest Women’s Lacrosse Association, and has been a member of the DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network) Adopt-a-Family Program. Kaake earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.
Ruth Apahidean Harper is an attorney at Cobalt Law PLLC. She is easily reached via email: ruth@cobaltlawfirm.com or by phone: 253.234.4676.
