May is a month that naturally invites movement and growth as the world comes alive with the energy of spring. Getting outside, staying active, and enjoying the beauty of nature is part of this season. Just as flowers bloom and trees grow stronger, May reminds us that personal (and professional) growth takes time, consistency, and care, making it a great moment to nurture both ourselves and the world around us.
Partner Announcements
Ankur Tohan has joined Stoel Rives as a partner in its Seattle office. Tohan arrives from K&L Gates, where he served as a co-leader of the firm-wide Environment, Land, and Natural Resources practice group and co-chair of the firm’s Carbon Solutions group, and where he built one of the nation’s most sophisticated practices focused on energy infrastructure, natural resource development, carbon management, and complex environmental litigation. Tohan’s practice spans renewable energy development, carbon capture and sequestration, energy infrastructure, and complex regulatory compliance under federal and state environmental laws. He brings a unique blend of private-practice leadership, government service, including roles with EPA Region 10 and the Washington Attorney General’s Office, and long-standing relationships throughout Washington’s environmental regulatory community.
Of Counsel
Gordon Tilden Thomas & Cordell is pleased to announce that Al Van Kampen has joined the firm. Van Kampen brings more than 35 years of experience in representing clients in a wide range of complex commercial matters. His practice ranges from advising businesses in connection with establishing and protecting their trademarks and other intellectual property, to litigating and trying cases in the fields of antitrust, insurance coverage, trademarks, and health care. He also represents parties in securities arbitrations and serves as a FINRA arbitrator. Al advises manufacturers, distributors, trade associations, health care providers, and technology companies on antitrust matters, and has extensive experience representing clients in regulatory investigations.
Other Attorney Additions
HCMP is pleased to announce a significant expansion of its Land Use practice with the addition of Nancy Bainbridge Rogers, Nicole De Leon, and Taylor Haines. Nancy Bainbridge Rogers joins HCMP as one of the region’s most respected land use practitioners. With decades of experience guiding major residential, commercial, institutional, and resource-based projects through permitting, environmental review, and appeals, Rogers brings exceptional depth in SEPA, GMA, SMA, and critical areas compliance. Her strategic approach and long-standing relationships with regulators will further enhance HCMP’s ability to support complex, high-stakes development efforts.
Nicole E. De Leon brings a strong track record of securing approvals for diverse and challenging projects. With her analytical precision, creative problem-solving, and ability to build collaborative relationships with decision-makers, De Leon is known as a top land use attorney in the Puget Sound region. Her insight into evolving local and state regulations strengthens HCMP’s ability to support fast-moving development in a dynamic regulatory environment.
Taylor A. Haines adds valuable experience in feasibility, entitlements, and regulatory strategy, with a background that includes infrastructure and transportation consulting on major public projects.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
Yvonne Chin has been appointed to the King County District Court. Previously, Judge Chin was the Legal Director for the Sexual Violence Law Center, working directly with over 700 survivors, litigating a variety of cases, resolving complex issues, providing representation for underserved populations, and supervising and mentoring attorneys and staff. Judge Chin worked as an attorney for many firms, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She also served as a Judge and Magistrate Pro Tempore for Seattle Municipal Court since 2023, where she presided over criminal misdemeanor cases that included hearings related to the conditions of release, compliance, protective orders, bail, exclusion, electronic monitoring, drug and alcohol testing, traffic court proceedings, dismissals, fines, and mitigation options.
Sarah Moen is now a King County Superior Court Ex Parte Commissioner. Moen was previously an attorney at Moen Law Offices, P.S., where she focused on the administration of probates, trusts, and guardianships and related litigation. She earned her B.A. from the University of Washington, her J.D. from Whittier Law School, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Obituaries
Retired Member, John D. Wallace, from Ogden Murphy Wallace, passed away on March 13, 2026. As a Wenatchee native and 1966 graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, Wallace joined the firm as an associate, working primarily with Jim Murphy. He became a partner in 1972 and quickly established himself as a key leader in the firm’s growing municipal practice. Wallace spearheaded the expansion of the firm’s municipal practice in the late 1970s and 1980s and played a central role in OMW and became city attorney for many of the firm’s core municipal clients during those years. Wallace’s knowledge of municipal law was encyclopedic, and he was a great teacher and mentor to the next generation of municipal lawyers in the firm. He was also deeply involved in the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys, serving as president and later receiving the Ernest Campbell Award for lifetime achievement in municipal law.
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.
