I am slowly winding down a litigation practice that I began 38 years ago. When complete, I will have transitioned to mediating and arbitrating disputes full time. While I am really looking forward to that moment when I no longer need to prepare for a hearing or a trial, I am enjoying more than ever the few cases I continue to handle and the clients I am honored to represent. I have one particular case that poses significant financial risk to my client and the opposing team of lawyers are skilled and dogged in their pursuit of a result for their clients. At a recent in person hearing, I was introduced to the wife of the lead attorney, who were both from out of State. I was told that after the hearing, they were spending the weekend in the Pacific Northwest to celebrate their wedding anniversary. After the hearing, I was the first to exit the courtroom and again said hello to the lead counsel’s wife. I also waited a few more moments for her husband, my opponent, to emerge from the hearing so that I could wish them both a happy anniversary. After doing so, I went on my way.

I am no fan of doctors, or hospitals; the only thing they’re good for is delivering babies. Everything else — no thanks.

Inspired by the recent survey of the top 50 pizza parlors in the country (the Seattle area got one, Portland two) we decided to go further on the road to check out the pizza offerings at some summer destinations. We will come back to try out the Seattle and Portland winners later.

Imagine having a reliable, low cost, on-demand associate focused squarely on helping you with your legal practice. As a subscriber to the King County Law Library, you essentially have your very own legal associate at the touch of your phone or computer. Need a case from Westlaw, a section from a WSBA Deskbook or an annotated RCW section? We can quickly provide what you need. What about jury verdicts or Keyciting? We’ve got you covered. Do you have a thorny legal issue and are out of ideas? We can make recommendations from our wide array of print and digital resources and suggest customized searches.

Tom Fitzpatrick grew up in Anaconda, Montana, a hard scrabble smelter town, in a blue-collar family. He graduated from the University of Montana with highest honors in 1973. He then went to the University of Chicago Law School, and served as President of the Law Students Association.

“Always Appealing” is a column addressing current issues in appellate practice and recent appellate cases written by the lawyers of Smith Goodfriend, P.S., a Seattle law firm that limits its practice to civil appeals and related trial court motions practice.

In February 2024, the Bar Bulletin published a piece entitled, “From the River to the Sea,” which generated considerable controversy. That controversy, and the errors that the KCBA concluded had been made in the piece’s placement and publication, led the KCBA Board of Trustees to create a volunteer Task Force that would recommend editorial guidelines and best practices for the Bar Bulletin. These recommended editorial guidelines and best practices would then be submitted to the Board of Trustees for consideration.

As a young lawyer, mediation did not come naturally. I remember in law school that the one course offered on negotiations was taught by a lawyer with a background in labor law. Her focus was on how things proceeded with labor negotiations. At that time, I had no context for that information and when tasked with mock negotiation problems, I felt like I was being asked to speak a foreign language.

The King County Bar Association hosted another Night With the Mariners on June 28! Almost 50 KCBA members enjoyed another exciting M’s victory in perfect weather conditions at T-Mobile Park.

This month, the Records Project is spotlighting Volunteer Attorney Amy Mandin. Amy began volunteering with the Records Project in early 2022, and since then, she has consistently proven herself to be a dedicated, zealous advocate.