Bar Talk
By Ruth Apahidean Harper
Shifting our perspectives or stepping into the other party’s shoes offers benefits to both attorneys and clients. These benefits include improved problem-solving, a better outcome, or a more thorough understanding of the situation and each party’s interests. Just a reminder that shifts in perspectives not only allow for better professional outcomes but for better personal ones, too.
Partner and Member Pronouncements
Abigail J. St. Hilaire and Peter B. Dolan have become members of Ellis, Li & McKinstry PLLC. St. Hilaire works with the business, litigation, and appellate practice groups. Her work focuses on assisting clients in a broad range of transactional and business matters as well as commercial litigation. St. Hilaire earned her B.A. from the University of Florida and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where she was president of the Moot Court Honor Board and editor on the Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts.
Peter B. Dolan serves a wide variety of clients, with a focus on trust and estate disputes, trust and estate administration, eminent domain, and real estate litigation. Dolan earned his B.A. from Whitworth University and his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where he served as an editor on the Washington Law Review.
Associate Additions
Abraham Afshar is an Associate Attorney at Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers. Afshar was previously an associate at Bighorse & Associates and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Afshar earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University and his J.D. from Penn State Law.
Joshua Gonzales has joined Corr Cronin LLP as an Associate Attorney. Gonzales practice focuses on policyholder insurance coverage litigation and general commercial disputes. Previously, Gonzales worked as an associate at DKM Law Group LLP, and McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth LLP. Gonzales earned his B.A. from University of California, Merced, and his J.D. from the University of California, Davis – School of Law.
Makenzie Spinks has joined Helsell Fetterman as an Associate Attorney. Spinks’s practice focuses primarily on real estate and land use litigation. Prior to joining Helsell Fetterman, Spinks worked on corporate and real estate matters in Bend, Oregon, where she gained experience working with real estate developers, community colleges, property managers, irrigation districts, and various other corporate and individual clients. Spinks earned her B.S. from the University of Oregon and her J.D. from University of Oregon School of Law.
Other Attorney Additions
Kate Stapleton is now a Supervising Attorney at Elise Buie Family Law Group. Stapleton was previously an attorney at Stapleton Family Law, LLC, The Center for Family Law, The Law Office of Kate Stapleton, and The Law Office of Rachel Rolfs. Stapleton earned her B.A. from Truman State University and her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Of Counsel
Bruce Pruitt-Hamm has joined View Ridge Family Law & Estate Planning as Of Counsel on June 1, 2024. An attorney with over thirty years of experience, Pruitt-Hamm has been recognized with the highest rating by the national lawyer-rating service, Avvo.com. Graduating from the University of Washington School of Law in 1994, he has worked in family law, estate planning, litigation, mediation, and collaborative practice. Pruitt-Hamm has been active in nonprofit work, including holding leadership roles as the Director of the Mike Yarrow Peace Fellowship, Chair of Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation, and Board of the Washington Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). He was also President of the Stevens County Bar Association for six years before moving back to Seattle. Pruitt-Hamm is a founding member of the Spokane County Collaborative Professionals and was trained and certified in collaborative law in 2007.
Richard L. Johnson has joined Helsell Fetterman as Of Counsel. Johnson’s practice focuses on businesses and individuals in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and the Washington State Department of Revenue. Prior to joining Helsell Fetterman, Johnson was a partner at LeSourd & Patten. Johnson also teaches a course in federal tax procedure in the Masters of Science in Taxation (MSTax) program at the University of Washington, Michael G. Foster School of Business. Johnson earned his B.A. from Whitman College, his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from University of Washington School of Law.
Outside of Private Practice
Kristin Tan is now an Adjunct Professor at Seattle University School of Law. Tan is also Chief Legal Counsel at Catholic Community Services. She was previously a Corporate Compliance Officer at International Community Health Services. Tan was a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge John Ruhl. Tan earned a B.A. from Xavier University and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
James S. Rogers is now the current Judiciary Committee Chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Rogers is a principal lawyer at The Law Offices of James S. Rogers, where he limits his practice to serious personal injury and product liability litigation. Rogers obtained his B.A. from the University of Washington and his J.D. from University of Arizona and College of Law.
Ruth Apahidean Harper is a Trusts and Estates attorney at the Law Office of Neil R. Sarles. She is easily reached via email at ruth@sarles.com or by phone at 253.234.4676.
