By Ruth Apahidean Harper
I know this isn’t the month to write about thankfulness and gratitude. We have November to thank for that. Nonetheless, some recent interactions with clients have reminded me to be thankful for them. Sometimes this feels like a thankless profession — that clients do not or will not appreciate the legal work done on their behalf. While I am not grateful for all the clients I have worked for or with in the past, I am thankful for the experience those clients provided and for the clients who are excited about my ability to help solve legal problems.
Principals
Devra R. Cohen, a member of Foster Garvey’s Litigation team, is now a Principal. She represents clients in environmental litigation and business disputes and complex commercial matters, at the trial court and appellate levels. She has experience before all levels of federal and state courts. Cohen has recently represented United States Veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Prior to joining the firm, Cohen was a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and for the Washington State Supreme Court. Cohen is the Treasurer of and Washington State Bar Association’s representative to the Civic Learning Council. Cohen earned her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Alyssa A. Melter has been named Principal at Foster Garvey. She focuses on the resolution of labor issues for both public and private sector employers. Advising in all aspects of the collective bargaining process, from working with bargaining teams to drafting proposals and contract language to serving as chief spokesperson during negotiations, and preparing for interest arbitration, she is also involved in working proactively with employers to preserve their labor relationships, addressing potential issues. Additionally, Melter has experience in grievance arbitrations and settlement negotiations, unfair labor practice proceedings and related appeals. Prior to joining the firm, Melter was a judicial law clerk for the Washington State Supreme Court. She earned her B.A. from the University of Hawaii and her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law.
Kinnon W. Williams is now a Principal at Foster Garvey. He focuses on assisting public entities and private property owners in eminent domain and municipal law matters, handling negotiations and litigation, including successfully arguing cases before the Washington State Supreme Court. He provides special legal counsel to local governments and is the co-author of the 2010 Washington State Bar Association Real Property Deskbook Chapter on eminent domain and will release the updated chapter in 2023. Heavily involved in the region’s legal community, Williams is a board member of the Washington State Bar Foundation and has served in a variety of roles on the King County Bar Association. Williams earned his B.A. from the University of Washington and holds a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law.
Cody Suzuko Nunn has been elected to the membership of Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC. Nunn focuses her practice on business immigration and global immigration matters. She handles a wide range of temporary work visas, including, but not limited to, H-1B and E-3 professionals, TN professionals, L-1 intra-company transfers, E-2 treaty investors, and O-1 individuals of extraordinary ability. Nunn also handles employment-based green card applications through PERM labor certification, and immigrant petitions for individuals of extraordinary ability. Additionally, she assists companies with immigration compliance, business visitor visas, and entry letters for business meetings and events. Nunn joined Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC in 2018. Nunn earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Associate Additions
Maria Gaydos has joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as an associate attorney. Gaydos’s practice will focus on litigation. Gaydos earned her J.D. from the University of Hawaii – William S Richardson School of Law.
Olga E. Barajas has joined Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as an associate attorney and will practice in the area of estate planning. Previously, Barajas worked for Fahlman Olson & Little, PLLC as an attorney, Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin & Burnett, PLLC as a legal clerk, and the Law Offices of Raymond Ejarque as a legal assistant. Barajas completed her B.A. from the University of Washington and earned her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Of Counsel
Bradley W. Carnine has joined Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC as an of counsel in the firm’s Estate Planning & Probate group. Carnine has managed all types of assets and creating customized plans for wills, trusts for relatives or pets, power of attorneys, living wills, and disposition of remains. In addition to helping clients implement tax-saving strategies, Carnine is also versed in contract law, including the drafting and reviewing of complex agreements in business and personal matters. Carnine earned his B.A. from the University of Washington and received his J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
Coreen Wilson was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to the King County Superior Court. Wilson replaces Judge Douglass North, who recently retired. Wilson is a civil trial lawyer with more than twenty years of courtroom experience. She is currently a partner at Wieck Wilson, PLLC, where she maintains a civil litigation and trial practice focusing on torts, real estate, and commercial disputes. During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilson litigated the nation’s first binding civil jury trial via Zoom. Wilson currently sits on the City of North Bend’s Planning Commission and Salary Commission. She has also served on the City of North Bend Economic Development Commission and volunteered with Snoqualmie Valley Shelter Services. Wilson earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and obtained her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law.
Presiding Judge Patrick Oishi has appointed the following chief judges for 2023: Judge Tanya L. Thorp, Chief Judge of the Civil Department; Judge Ketu Shah, Chief Judge of the Criminal Department; Judge Melinda Young, Chief Judge of the Clark Children and Family Justice Center; Judge Sean P. O’Donnell, Chief Judge of Unified Family Court; and Judge Johanna Bender, Chief Judge of the Maleng Regional Justice Center.
Obituaries
Helen Marie Kennedy, aged 67, has passed away. Kennedy earned a B.S. in biology in 1977 from Vanderbilt University and obtained an M.S. in environmental science from University of Florida in 1980. She worked at the Gulf Ecology Division station of the EPA at Pensacola Beach before heading west and working as a National Park Ranger at Death Valley National Park, leading the Scotty’s Castle tour. Kennedy returned to law school and received her J.D. from Lewis and Clark College of Law in 1987 with an emphasis on environmental law. She was employed by the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and then returned to the Pacific Northwest to Seattle where she practiced environmental law at Miller Nash LLP and then as a solo practitioner. Kennedy was a passionate supporter of planet Earth. She enjoyed mountain climbing (including Mt. Rainier), birding, hiking, and scuba diving. Kennedy supported her community wherever she lived, and was a Rotarian in Seattle and Guam, a board member of the Marianas Yacht Club in Guam, and a Lion’s Club member in Marcola. A strong supporter of public education, she was instrumental in developing the recently constructed Marcola Elementary School and the school’s publicly accessible Media Center. She was a loyal, dedicated, and treasured friend.
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.
