From the courtroom to the classroom — and even a Taekwondo studio, improving a chagi — Ada K. Wong brings her unwavering dedication, intent presence, and good humor. Nicole Gainey explores the motivation behind Ada’s commitment to her clients, colleagues, and community.

In How Safetyism Shapes Today’s Culture of Risk Aversion, Thomas O’Toole and Kevin Boully examine how jurors increasingly expect perfect safety and punish defendants who fall short. They urge trial lawyers to simplify defense narratives, align with jurors’ values, and adapt to shifting attitudes that link safety to personal and political identity.

In The Merits and Pitfalls of Starting Too High at Mediation, Eric Gillett explores the negotiation strategy of using high opening numbers. While anchoring high can shape expectations and signal strength, it also could alienate the other side, waste time, or damage credibility. Gillett offers advice for when a bold opening makes sense — and when it backfires.

On August 1, the 2025 cohort of the Washington Leadership Institute will be releasing a podcast honoring 20 years of the program. WLI is a visionary collaboration between the Washington State Bar Association and the three law schools in Washington: the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle University School of Law, and Gonzaga University School of Law.

It’s August, and things are quieter than usual at Smith Goodfriend. Honestly, it’s usually pretty quiet here — most of the time, we’re all in our offices (or at home), researching the law, reviewing the trial court record, writing or (my favorite) editing pleadings or briefs. Some days, only cries of joy (or anguish) are heard when a ruling or decision arrives via email to break the studious silence. But August remains a slower time of year, even now when the courts (or at least the filing portals) are “open” 24/7.1

The KCBA’s Outstanding New Lawyer Award honors rising attorneys who demonstrate excellence in their legal practice and make substantial contributions to the profession, the KCBA, and the community. This year’s recipient, Tommy Tobin, embodies the spirit of the award.

The King County Bar Association is proud to honor James Williams as the 2025 Outstanding Lawyer of the Year. His contributions are both wide-ranging and deeply impactful, making him a well-deserving recipient of this year’s award, which recognizes distinguished and meritorious service to the legal profession and public.
 

The King County Bar Association is pleased to honor Judge Patrick H. Oishi with the 2025 Outstanding Judge Award for his distinguished service to the legal profession, the judiciary, and the public.

I first met Lish through a chance encounter with his wife, Barbara, at a local gym while I was studying for the bar exam. Barbara graciously introduced us, and that introduction marked the beginning of more than 14 years of working with — and learning from — Lish. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life.

The Helen M. Geisness Award was named in honor of King County Bar Association’s first executive director, who served from 1966 to 1981. During her tenure, Helen Geisness (a 1929 graduate of the UW School of Law) helped develop the Bar Association to better serve the people of Seattle and King County, and foster an association of lawyers committed to improving the practice of law in King County. Reflecting that storied legacy, the Geisness Award recognizes a lawyer or non-lawyer for exemplary, distinguished service on behalf of KCBA.