In my professional development journey, I have been trying to focus on building skills unrelated to a legal area of practice because such skills can help an attorney become a better legal professional. This might include developing communication skills, networking, or volunteering in a non-legal field. Being a good lawyer means more than becoming an expert in a chosen field — it is also about how we connect with clients, staff, and peers.
Partner & Member Pronouncements
Nicholas V. Sherbina has joined Christensen O’Connor Johnson Kindness PLLC as a member. Sherbina assists clients in developing and protecting their intellectual property assets as well as navigating and mitigating potential risks, working closely with clients to devise and implement robust, practical IP protection strategies in the face of an ever-evolving IP legal landscape. Sherbina was previously the owner and manager of Sherbina Intellectual Property Law, PLLC. He is a member of the Washington State Patent Law Association. He earned his B.S. from the College of William and Mary and his J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law.
Associate Additions
Ethan Picone has joined Lane Powell as an associate. Picone’s practice focuses on traditional labor law. He represents employer clients in litigation involving harassment, discrimination claims, investigation of internal complaints, and EEOC charges and litigation. Picone also advises non-profit and charitable organizations on various labor and employment matters. Picone obtained his B.A. from Clemson University and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Other Attorney Additions
Ramsha Shakir has joined DuBois Levias Law Group, PLLC as an attorney. Shakir was previously an associate attorney at the Law Offices of Michael W. Bugni & Associates, PLLC. Shakir earned her B.A. from the University of Washington and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
New Firms
Linda Fang and Jeff Liang have relaunched Banyan Legal Counsel LLP. The firm will offer a wide range of legal services, including business, nonprofit, employment, estate planning, and probate services. As a minority-owned firm, Banyan Legal Counsel LLP is committed to serving BIPOC- and LGBTQIA+-owned and led small businesses and nonprofits, and communities of color. Both Fang and Liang were previously partners at Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
Outside of Private Practice
The United States Senate has confirmed President Biden’s nomination of Pacifica Law Group partner Kymberly Evanson as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Evanson, who built her career as a civil litigator with a focus on constitutional, municipal, and administrative law, left Pacifica Law Group on July 14. Evanson joined Pacifica at its founding in 2011. During her career, she distinguished herself as a litigator in cases of significant public impact, representing several major cities, including Seattle, Portland, and Philadelphia in federal cases arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also represented the Washington State Housing Finance Commission in a federal trial in the Southern District of New York, and the City of Seattle in multiple matters, including at trial on a public disclosure case in which the City ultimately prevailed before the Washington State Supreme Court. Evanson has also frequently represented King County and Sound Transit in matters of public importance in state and federal court, including complex constitutional cases. Her pro bono work included volunteering for the Seattle Clemency Project, through which she represented and secured the release from prison of the only woman serving a life sentence under Washington State’s Three Strikes Law. Evanson has also served on the Board of Legal Voice and as a longtime volunteer with the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington’s Federal Civil Rights Clinic. After graduating cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center, Evanson served as a law clerk for the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, before pursuing a private practice with an emphasis on public clients and civic engagement.
Honors, Appointments, and Awards
E. Rania Rampersad has been appointed to King County Superior Court by Gov. Jay Inslee. Rampersad will replace Judge Catherine Shaffer, who retired earlier this month. Rampersad currently serves as a judge on the King County District Court. Previously, Rampersad worked as the director of Eleemosynary Legal Services, P.S., a nonprofit organization she founded in 2016. She has also worked as a criminal defense attorney and as an assistant attorney general. Rampersad began her legal career clerking to Washington State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen. Rampersad volunteers with other community organizations, has served as president of the South Asian Bar Association of Washington and is the president-elect for the William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court. Rampersad earned her B.A. degree from the University of Washington and her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
Obituaries
Hon. Gary N. Utigard (Ret.) passed away on July 28 at 90. Utigard was admitted to the Washington bar in 1958. He was a presiding judge for the King County District Court and a member of the Court Funding Subcommittee of the Washington State Commission on Justice, Efficiency, and Accountability. Utigard was a recipient of KCBA’s Outstanding Judge award for distinguished service to the legal profession, the judiciary, and the public in a profession-related activity.
Steven W. Kim has passed away at the age of 48. Kim attended the University of Washington where he received his J.D. in 2000. He served as a King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for fifteen years. In 2012, he was chosen to spend a year in South Korea advising the government in establishing an adversarial justice system. In 2016, Kim became a defense attorney.
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.
