Weather experts have put a La Niña advisory in place, which typically brings cooler and wetter conditions to Seattle and amplifies our region’s rainy fall and winter seasons. It also means a heavier snowpack in the Cascades. This might mean cozy vibes with warm drinks in hand for some of us or hitting the powder for the adventurous. Whatever you decide, my hope is that we make the most of what this season has to offer.
Partner Pronouncement
Morgan Lewis is pleased to announce the addition of Kit Roth as a partner in the firm’s litigation practice, based in Seattle. Joining from Goldfarb & Huck Roth Riojas, where he was a founding partner, Roth brings more than two decades of experience representing clients in high-stakes matters, federal investigations, and complex commercial disputes across a wide range of sectors. Roth’s practice includes intellectual property disputes, securities litigation, consumer and shareholder class actions, and corporate governance matters. With trial experience in federal and state courts nationwide, he has represented clients in some of the most sophisticated matters across technology, finance, and other highly regulated industries. Roth also represents public and private companies and their directors and officers in inquiries, enforcement actions, and internal investigations brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Attorney Addition
AKW Law, P.C., a plaintiff’s employment law firm, is pleased to announce that Danielle Kim joined the firm in the role of senior attorney. She brings a wealth of experience from her time as an employment attorney in Big Law, at a Fortune 500 company, and at the Fair Work Center. She earned her J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law, where she also served as an adjunct professor of the Workers’ Rights Clinic. Kim also serves as a board member of the Asian Bar Association of Washington.
Going Solo
Claire Bellefleur has started her own practice: Bellefleur Estate Law, PLLC. Bellefleur’s practice focuses on trust, probate, and estate planning needs. Bellefleur was previously a contract attorney at Use Steward, Inc., head of legal at Better Off (which Use Steward acquired), and a junior partner at Murphy, Pearson, Bradley & Feeney. She obtained her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Sarah Zubair recently launched her private practice offering Title 26 guardian ad litem, parent evaluation, and mediation services. Zubair previously served for over eight years as a family evaluation and conciliation specialist with King County Superior Court’s Family Court Services, providing parenting evaluations, domestic violence assessments, court-visitation work, and mediation services. Prior to joining the court, Zubair served as an advocate supervisor with Family Law CASA of King County and practiced civil and family law litigation. Zubair graduated from the George Washington University Law School in 2011.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce that four attorneys from the firm’s Seattle office have been listed in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and these are:
- Office Managing Principal and Office Litigation Manager Michael A. Griffin (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment),
- Principal Craig A. Day (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Employment Law – Management),
- Principal Peter H. Nohle (Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment), and
- Principal Bryan P. O’Connor (Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment).
David Corey of Helsell Fetterman LLP has been named President of the Washington Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Before joining Helsell Fetterman LLP, Corey was a partner at Floyd Pflueger & Ringer, P.S., where he worked on the defense of physicians and other health care providers in medical malpractice lawsuits and related licensing proceedings.
Obituaries
Patricia Ann Bulzomi Simon passed away on Oct. 31, 2025. Simon was born in Seattle and the oldest of 12 children. She earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2004, at age 54. She became a valued attorney at Messina Bulzomi Christensen. Beyond her professional work, Simon was passionate about contributing to local communities. She provided pro bono legal services, volunteered with KCBA’s Neighborhood Legal Clinic, assisted new citizens through Citizenship Day events, and supported the arts as a volunteer at ACT Theatre. In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, music, needlework, salsa dancing, and her beloved family and friends.
William “Bill” Norman Snell passed away on Nov. 2, 2025. Snell graduated from the University of Montana in 1964 and its School of Law in 1967. He began his career in Washington, D.C., with the Department of the Navy before settling in Seattle. He served as the first city of Seattle hearing examiner and a dedicated attorney practicing in the areas of administrative, environmental, municipal, and real property law. Beyond his professional achievements, Bill was a dedicated community member, contributing his time and wisdom to local scouting, coaching youth sports, and his faith community. He was an avid fly-fisher and outdoorsman who cherished annual pilgrimages to Montana.
Ruth Apahidean is an estate planning and probate 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.
